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

 

Day 39 (Thursday)

My lawyer did email me and tell what time to meet the assistant.   We went and order the passports today.  Also, stopped by ICBF for some paper work.  We also stopped by the courthouse for a signature.

I am very tired it has been a long day.  Only a few more steps left J

 

Day 38 (Tuesday)

Looks like the end is in sight for Colombia.  J

 

Today:

Today the kids and I went to go get the birth certificates (I believe) and Bryans ID card.  I say I believe because my lawyer sent another assistant with us today but this assistant didn’t speak English at all.   She showed up at the hotel at 8 in the morning but the only problem is that nobody told us she was coming.   I have been talking to the other American family and it appears that their lawyer communicates a lot more with them.  As a matter of fact, the other family told me that their lawyer is going to get their birth certificates and id cards without them tomorrow.    I would have to agree that I didn’t have to go today because I didn’t even sign anything.   I just went for long taxi drives, sat on hard chairs, wasted 8 hours of my day, and got a bill in the end for 110,000 cop’s for the assistants time.  But all I can say is, at least that part is over.  I am hoping that maybe my lawyer will email me back for the first time and tell me what time the assistant is picking us up tomorrow and if we are getting the passports and the doctor certificate.   Hopefully tomorrow I can have a positive day.

After dinner the kids went to the pool again.  I believe this is going to be a nightly activity because it really wears them out.  Also, Bryan and Luisa really like going to the pool

 

Until tomorrow,

 

John

Day 37 (Tuesday)

Today:

Today was a great day for the kids.  We took a long drive again to finish up their shots.  I told Bryan before we left that if he doesn’t get mad and takes the shot without a fight he can watch the harry potter video I bought him.  I do have to admit he did a great job with the shots; he even watched them go into his arm and didn’t flinch.  Pretty good. Lusia also did a pretty good job with the shots because she only cried when they went into her arm.   

I will admit still, the one thing I will not miss when I leave Colombia is the pollution.   My chest burns when I get home from a long drive. 

 

Well here are some long awaited pictures that I now can post. 

John

when we first got her

Look how much she has grown

Only a face a mother could love (on the left)

The swimming pool at the hotel

Just some locals

 Look in the back, that is the very poor houses I was telling you about yesterday.

This is an average size bus in colombia

 time to go swimming

Her 6 year old birthday pick

Bryan

Look how much he has grown!!

 Bryan being funny!!

Swimming time!

Day 36 (Monday)

Court news

Great news, we have been approved by the courts today.  Actually I went and signed the paper work so Bryan and Lusia are now ours in the Colombians eyes.  Now there are about 7 more steps that I need to complete in order to get approval from the US embassy but I am hoping  to be on an airplane next week or early the week after wards.

 

Today

Today we went to the doctors to get the TB test read and see the doctor.  I am so glad that the lawyer’s assistant was with me again because the doctors do speak English but none of the nurses or office staff speaks English.  She is such a great help.  Also, it is nice to be able to talk to someone.

We completed the doctor’s visit and the kids were about ready to get their shots when we received the call that our paperwork was ready (complete shock) and we needed to leave the doctor’s office and go to the courts.

The Drive

I needed a special label about the drive to the courts to sign the paper work because I was very taken back about some of the things I saw.  The court we had to drive to was just outside of Bogota city limits and it was a long drive.  It was a very small town but I have learned a new meaning of poor, which made me very sad.  I saw wild dogs running around, bard wire, broken glass on top of buildings,  no windows, main streets that were not paved (dirt), a man and a women on a bicycle with a baby ( the women was on the man’s lap as he was peddling and the baby was in the women’s arms), people walking in the street that my driver almost ran over, and I saw a part that they always show on tv.  This would be the houses with no windows and steel roofs.  We didn’t get close to that section because my driver told me that the police or military don’t even go in there because those people are very poor.  She told me that they don’t even have running water or electricity. 

The courts

Things went well at the courts.  I signed the paperwork to make Bryan and Lusia ours.  They are now a part of the Janda clan.

 

Tomorrow we will finish up the doctor process (shots) and hopefully start working on the birth certificates.  Also, Lusia birthday is tomorrow.

Also, I can now put pictures up of the kids, which I will start tomorrow.  I will also put some pictures that I took today.

Until tomorrow,

 

John

Day 35 (Sunday)

Strike:

No positive news

Today:

Had a great time over at John and Michael’s apartment watching another broncos win.  Little L did a great job with her behavior over at their house.  Her and Michael worked on an English preschool book and also little L helped Michael in the kitchen.  B was a bit upset, I believe because his sister was getting a lot of attention.  B had a couple of bumps during the day but his behavior was ok.

After returning from John and Michael’s house, we grabbed a quick bit to eat and then met up with the other American family at the hotel pool.  Eva and I had a great conversation about raising boys and girls are different.  They have two girls at home and are adopting a boy and a girl, so having a boy in the house will be different.  Were as we have two boys at home and having a girl in the house will be different for me. 

Well tomorrow we go for the TB results and from what I can tell the kid’s arms look good.  We hope to hear more about our case in the next day or two.

 

John

Day 34 (Saturday)

Strike:

No positive news

Today:

The kids needed some exercise so I took them for a one hour walk (one way) to TGIF restaurant.   Once we were there we paid way too much for the food but we needed a break from McDonalds.   When we returned little L didn’t want to get out of her bed, she looked so tired (I win). 

Pictures from the walk.

MMMMMM hungry

Picture of the mall in the background

I need to find out what kind of tree this is.  I really like it!!