Day 40 (Friday)

Today all I thought we were going to do was get the passports and pick up the doctors certificate.  There are so many more steps which I didn’t understand.  At times I was not sure what was going on.   Here is how the day went:

Stopped by to get the passports (no problem)

Went to get the doctors certificates but the doctor was not in and was told we needed to come back in a few hours.  The doctors said they would call us

So we went to the small ICBF to pick up another certificate.(not sure which one)

We still had time so we went to the mall for a bit and eat lunch (crepes and waffles).  We received a call that the doctor documentation was done so we picked it up.

I was then told that we needed to go to the Large ICBF for the appa seal (sp), which I thought we already had.  So we drove to a different ICBF and picked it up.

Then we drove to the lawyer’s apartment and gave her all the documentation to make the appointment for the visa, which I am hoping it will be Monday.

Now that we are at this point all I have to say is that there are a lot of steps, which involve way too much driving.  Traffic is very bad in Colombia

I am looking forward to Monday and finishing the process.

On a side note, It has cost between 80,000 cop’s and 120,000 a day to pay the assistant.

Here are a couple of things I have learned about Colombia up to this point,

$100 US dollars equals 1800 Colombian pesos (COP)

When taking a taxi, the running number on the mirror is not the number you pay.  You need to take that number and look at a chart that is located behind the passenger side seat.  I have been told to add an extra 2,000 pesos because sometimes they have extra charges for different days.

I was told to never hail a cab off of the street unless you speak perfect Spanish.  If you have a cab called for you ask for the license plate number and the code number.  The cabbie will ask the number.

Pay attention to the street numbers  (there are two).  Calles run east-west rising in numbers as you go north.  Carreras go north-south, increasing in number as they go west.  A typical address maybe calle 15 no 4-45.

The temperature has been warm for the most part.  Average is between 65-75 degrees.  But I will give you a heads up; the Colombian people think that this is cold.  It was not even uncommon for me to see people wearing winter coats (like ski coats). 

I have been told that Colombia has a high population of single moms.  I was told that men just abandon the mother of their children (what ever that means).  There were a few other choice words used but I don’t want to repeat them.

Driving in Colombia is crazy.  They drive very, very, aggressive.  They often use their horns and cut each other off.

The city has a lot of pollution.  If you have asthma don’t forget your inhaler.  My chest would burn every time I came back from a long drive in the city.

I was told not to bring any jewelry and I would have to agree with that.  The Colombian women don’t wear big diamonds on their fingers and this could draw attention to yourself.

 I was told that Colombia is the lowest country in the world when it comes to proficiency of English, so be ready. 

Watch were you walk because there are a lot of holes in the sidewalks and streets. 

The laws of Colombia are very different then the US.  There is not a lot of responsibility on property owners.

Don’t go out after dark.

Only walk on streets that have people on them

There are a lot of parks to go to in Bogota.  Ask the locals were they are at.

The Marriott by the airport is WAY BETTER to stay at then the Sheraton.   Not even a though about this one.

Most places in Colombia; you can’t flush your toilet paper down the toilet.  Put it in the trash can

Remember some parks you have to pay to use the bathroom, so bring change.

The size of the money is different sizes, especially coins.

Colombia is an open market system, so there are a lot of street venders.

Check your cell phones to see if they will work in Colombia and for what fee.  There are street venders who sell phones and minutes ( I never took advantage of this).

Most things you will walk to.

Colombians love ice cream

John