About afarestegui

Currently Lives:

Citizen of:

Some Forum Posts:

Colombia: Barking Dogs:

In Pereira, estrato 6 Pinares neighborhood, there are barking dogs every morning. Between 5AM to 6AM every morning, several dog walkers with as many as 15 to 20 leashed dogs sound their barking alarm. For those of us that do not own dogs as pets, we have to put up with the barking on a daily basis. This is the unfortunate reality of living in an estrato 6 apartment tower community. In addition to the barking, there is the problem with owners as well as dog walkers not cleaning up after the dogs "needs". To make matters worse, there are many street dogs roaming the neighboring streets as well, and these dogs will bite if you turn your back on them. The whole dog issue has been one of my biggest disappointments of living in Pereira.

Colombia: Colombian Boyfriend:

RED FLAG!!! As fast as he labeled you his future wife, you must RUN even faster. “1 + 1 =2”, “What goes up must come down”, “Touch fire and you burn”, A Colombian man labeling you his future wife in just one month=DESPERATE. Consider all these examples facts, and the former example a fact as well. Your situation is even more common than you can imagine. And if you are an “extranjera or extranjero” foreigner, you are more likely to be exposed to this “BS” (sorry for the strong language). Such situation hit closer to home when last year, my niece enrolled in a semester of Spanish here in Colombia, and stayed in my home during the entire semester. After one month of studies, she met a fellow school mate, and she introduced him to me (the Uncle). Having been aware of too many similar situations, of which always ended with the foreigner being “F…ed over”, and considering that it was now “my niece” possibly being taken as a fool, I confided in my niece, and advised her “Mucho ojo y mucho cuidado y recuerda que el hombre llega hasta donde la mujer permite.” to be very cautious and observant of this guy, and that men go as far as women allow them to. Fortunately my niece smelled the “Veracruz coffee =milk with triple espresso shots” and was smart enough to prioritize her studies. Less than a month after having been introduced to this mentioned guy, my niece confided that she had cut all interaction with him. In short, my niece had not even agreed in being his girlfriend, and yet he was already introducing my niece as his girlfriend and FUTURE WIFE to his circle of friends and family. In doing so, the guy’s friends and family unknowingly exposed the guy’s true intentions (potential marriage=papers to the US). I’ve seen this same or similar situation over and over again. I’m glad to mention that, today, my niece is working and studying in Lausanne. I know she will eventually find a truly respectful and loving man.

Colombia: Airport Exit Fees Bogota El Dorado:

Next month, in April, I will be flying out of Bogota El Dorado to the USA. Last year in April, I exited Colombia as a tourist. I then returned to Colombia one month later. and obtained my TP10 visa. On that last exit out of Colombia, I remember having been charged a fee at the airport for having stayed longer than an an X number of days, but less than the allowed 90 days. I don't remember exactly how many days over I stayed back then. In any event, my questions are: now that I am a TP10 holder, and it has been almost one year since I last exited Colombia, are there any fees I should expect at El Dorado on my upcoming trip in April? Am I exempt from any Colombia exit fees as a TP10 visa holder? Please advise. Thank you.

Colombia: Guatape:

I know this is not part of the topic, yet, avocados were mentioned. Avocados, not in Colombia. I've tried every variety in Colombia. Best avocados in the world, try the region near Uruapan-Michoacan in Mexico., there is just no comparison. There are however, many other delicious fruits in this beautiful country, Colombia.

Colombia: Leave here or ship later:

Hi jhutch621, I don't think there is a definite answer to your question. I suggest you bring from abroad to Colombia as much as you can. The exception are large appliances such as stoves, fridge, etc. Your small portable electronic devices such as laptops, should come from abroad. Anything you can pack onto your allowed luggage allowance should come from abroad. In many cases, it is worth paying for the extra luggage. If you are currently living abroad, and in an area with a large Colombian population, it is very likely that there are small businesses which service the Colombian community, and offer small shipment services to Colombia for a fraction of what UPS-Fed Ex' DHL charge. Take advantage of these small businesses if they exist in your area. One year before my indefinite move to Colombia, I began sending several boxes 24"x 24" (125 lbs each)from NJ to Colombia using these small businesses. I ended up sending some 45 boxes total. All arrived undamaged and complete with their contents. Had I used cargo or or a large container, I would have spent some 5k more than what I ended up spending. If you decide to buy in Colombia, everything will be much more expensive, and the quality will be much cheaper than what you can find at your local dollar store. In short, if you plan accordingly the logistics involved in sending from abroad, you will save allot of $$$. The money you save will be best spent on those expensive appliances you will need to buy in Colombia. Good luck.

Colombia: Bringing My Parrot:

Hi SkyMan, I went through a similar situation attempting to bring fresh water fish into Colombia. Assuming you are going to comply with the Colombian protocol, do not attempt to bring any live pets/animals into Colombia without first inquiring with Colombia's ICA Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario. This is the entity who will determine whether or not your live animal can enter Colombia, regardless of what other international laws/conventions/agreements stipulate. First contact the ICA in BOGOTA COLOMBIA. Second, get the authorization in writing. Third, have the written authorization notarized by the Colombian consulate in your home country. After having done so, you should be able to bring your bird into Colombia. Keep in mind that the fact that the ICA has given you the authorization does not mean the emigrating country authorities or airlines will allow the bird to exit, that's a whole different story. Good luck.

Colombia: Cafetero Climate?:

To answer your question, I can’t say much about the entire Eje Cafetero region, yet I will share my experience of the Capital of the Eje Cafetero, Pereira. I have been exploring Pereira and its neighboring cities since 2006. One of the biggest factors why I chose to live in Pereira was its weather. It is a fact that Pereira receives much rain through out the year. This is why Pereira remains green and beautiful through out the entire year. The interesting thing is that most Pereiranos will not agree with my observation. I think their disagreement is due to the fact that most of the rain comes down on Pereira during the first morning hours, when just about all Pereira is asleep. When Pereira is awake, and it does rain, the rain pounds Pereira for a good 20 minutes or so, the sun shines bright, and the rain disappears for some time. I haven’t seen what is considered a Dry Season in Pereira. Another fact I have observed in Pereira is that Pereira itself can experience different weather conditions at once. I have family who live in the Villa Olimpica area, and I live at the extreme opposite end of the city, in the Pinares area. When my family near Villa Olimpica, cannot stand the extreme heat, they prefer to make the 20 minute drive across the city to a much cooler area in Pinares. So even within the same city, and many times, within the same neighborhood, one can see different climates. In the Pinares area, during the same day, the mornings can be comfortably chilly, the afternoons can become hot, and then the temperature will drop during the evening into the night. The following day, the total opposite will occur. All in all, I have observed that this weather pattern is the norm in the city of Pereira. I have found Pereira’s climate to be the best climate for jogging and long walks. This semi tropical weather makes biking to the many small towns spread out through out the neighboring states Quindio-Valle-Caldas so much more pleasant. I love Pereira.

Colombia: Manana Time in Colombia: How it Works:

Since I've been living in Colombia, I take a minute or so to meditate, inhale-exhale, and entrust my patience to every imaginable Saint before walking out my apartment door. Patience is the best way to deal with this unintentional act of what we expats consider disrespectful. It is, what it is, and Don't sweat the small stuff. I agree with one of the respondents on this subject-We should take our business elsewhere. But in the case of coffee, I have yet to find a cafe, restaurant, bar, lounge, chain, "jeep", cart seller, shop, or bodega offering good coffee. I love Colombia, but the overall coffee experience in Colombia has been my biggest frustration. Fortunately, I do make my coffee at home. "Colombia a un te amo con tus defectos".

Colombia: Mariage Documents:

Dear All, I am currently in Colombia, and I need my birth certificate with the most current stamped date, it must also be APOSTILLED, and it must also be translated into Spanish. In addition, I also need an AFFIDAVIT of SINGLE Status, which must also be APOSTILLED, and translated into Spanish. I am currently in Pereira, and the local authorities have not been able to direct be to the proper entities. I am from the U.S.A, and I assume that such documents must be obtained either from a USA Consulate/Embassy, or from some entity in the U.S.A. Can anyone please direct me to the proper entities, and or share your experience in obtaining such documents. Thank you in advance.

Colombia: Moving to Colombia HELP ME PLEASE:

Hi Paul, The advice you will receive on this forum does not guarantee that you will land the perfect job, or the best means of earning money in Colombia. If you are a true survivor, you will make things happen for yourself no matter where you are. I will say however, that you should and must follow your instinct, remove your fears, pay no mind to negative and fearful advice, and do make your move to Colombia. As long as you have passion, desire, courage, and a most positive attitude, you will be rewarded with a life changing experience that money cannot buy. Neither the wealthiest, nor the most powerful, nor the so called safest nations in the world can guarantee happiness. You clearly mentioned LOVE. Something or someone in Colombia must have released your true adventurous spirit. You have the biggest advantage, your age. You are very young, and have much to discover. The biggest regret you will have later on in life is not having followed your adventurous spirit. If you wait around for the perfect time, it will never come. Be happy in your journey, live life to the fullest, and make your move to Colombia.

Date Joined:

12/30/2013

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