Where did she go?

[Ken y Leidys 20]

My flight did not make the connections, placing me at the Miami Internation Airport Hotel overnight last night. I depared this morning at 11 a.m. and landed in Barranquilla at around 1:30. My bags were lost, but should arrive soon to my Hotel. I was hungry after my arrival, but I caught a cab to Onelis´home where I surprised her mother and grandmother. All of the furniture had been sold. Her father was out of work for 2 months due to being sick, and now was running about doing his construction work, barefoot. He looked tired with a sense of desperation in his eyes.

He contacted Onelis on her new cell phone, and Onelis told him that she would meet me at the hotel with her sister. While waiting, I decided to go downstairs into the hotels restaurant. While waiting for ketchup, the place was robbed. I thought I would be shot by the young guy who kept reaching for his waistband. He wasn´t armed, but his eyes were kinda dazed, like a junkie. No taking chances to be a hero were my thoughts. The guy ran out of the restaurant with money and ID belonging to the young 20-something woman who prepared my food in the kitchen. I finished my meal, and tried to console everyone there. The thief stole 5,000 pesos and ID/documents from the young woman. I gave her a 5,000 peso tip - equivalent to $3.25 US.

Onelis eventually showed up - I was walking downtown, and her sister spotted me and we went together to the store. I bought a new shirt to wear, and after taking a shower, I talked to Onelis outside of the room on the couch near the hotels elevator.

Onelis told me that she was afraid of leaving Colombia for the United States. She would miss her way of life, her friends and family. She spent these 4 weeks thinking about things, and although I had my thoughts I figured this was only because we hadn´t spoken in so long. She told me that she still loved me, that she wanted a friendship, and possibly to visit the United States - as a friend, not someone who would start a family with me. I told her this would not be possible since I have been down this road with my ex-wife. I tried to win her over, but instead, it only postponed the inevitable. It would be best to say, ¨Goodbye¨here at the hotel, tonight. We were both upset, but I told her this would be best. She tore a page out of her sisters agenda and wrote her cell phone number in it. She stuffed it in my hand, and we walked outside to hail a cab. I gave her sister a 50,000 peso bill for the taxi fare and to ¨help out¨I hugged her sister, looked at Onelis and said, Adios and thus, ended my VisaJourney tonight.

I will be looking to return to Southern California asap.

[msu17 0]

Oh no!!! I'm so sorry to hear about this. At least you decided this before she arrived here. Too bad she left you hanging for so long though Hope everything works out well for you. Good luck!!!

[MrsCat 6]

You're a class act Ken for leaving it that way. A lesser person would have been much different. I am sorry that things didn't work out.

[panamania79 2]

My flight did not make the connections, placing me at the Miami Internation Airport Hotel overnight last night. I depared this morning at 11 a.m. and landed in Barranquilla at around 1:30. My bags were lost, but should arrive soon to my Hotel. I was hungry after my arrival, but I caught a cab to Onelis´home where I surprised her mother and grandmother. All of the furniture had been sold. Her father was out of work for 2 months due to being sick, and now was running about doing his construction work, barefoot. He looked tired with a sense of desperation in his eyes.

He contacted Onelis on her new cell phone, and Onelis told him that she would meet me at the hotel with her sister. While waiting, I decided to go downstairs into the hotels restaurant. While waiting for ketchup, the place was robbed. I thought I would be shot by the young guy who kept reaching for his waistband. He wasn´t armed, but his eyes were kinda dazed, like a junkie. No taking chances to be a hero were my thoughts. The guy ran out of the restaurant with money and ID belonging to the young 20-something woman who prepared my food in the kitchen. I finished my meal, and tried to console everyone there. The thief stole 5,000 pesos and ID/documents from the young woman. I gave her a 5,000 peso tip - equivalent to $3.25 US.

Onelis eventually showed up - I was walking downtown, and her sister spotted me and we went together to the store. I bought a new shirt to wear, and after taking a shower, I talked to Onelis outside of the room on the couch near the hotels elevator.

Onelis told me that she was afraid of leaving Colombia for the United States. She would miss her way of life, her friends and family. She spent these 4 weeks thinking about things, and although I had my thoughts I figured this was only because we hadn´t spoken in so long. She told me that she still loved me, that she wanted a friendship, and possibly to visit the United States - as a friend, not someone who would start a family with me. I told her this would not be possible since I have been down this road with my ex-wife. I tried to win her over, but instead, it only postponed the inevitable. It would be best to say, ¨Goodbye¨here at the hotel, tonight. We were both upset, but I told her this would be best. She tore a page out of her sisters agenda and wrote her cell phone number in it. She stuffed it in my hand, and we walked outside to hail a cab. I gave her sister a 50,000 peso bill for the taxi fare and to ¨help out¨I hugged her sister, looked at Onelis and said, Adios and thus, ended my VisaJourney tonight.

I will be looking to return to Southern California asap.

That is so messed up ! I am so sorry things worked out this way.Like I said it's her loss,not yours !

[Ken y Leidys 20]

Oh no!!! I'm so sorry to hear about this. At least you decided this before she arrived here. Too bad she left you hanging for so long though Hope everything works out well for you. Good luck!!!

Better now than later. I was afraid that she had cold feet, but the closure - it that is what awaited me, was what I needed. Expensive closure, but closure, nonetheless.

[cdneh 3,112]

You're a class act Ken for leaving it that way. A lesser person would have been much different. I am sorry that things didn't work out.

That is quite true ..and I'm sorry to hear this as well.

[panamania79 2]

Oh no!!! I'm so sorry to hear about this. At least you decided this before she arrived here. Too bad she left you hanging for so long though Hope everything works out well for you. Good luck!!!

Better now than later. I was afraid that she had cold feet, but the closure - it that is what awaited me, was what I needed. Expensive closure, but closure, nonetheless.

I know.At least you didn't end up like my poor friend Fernando who got his whole bank account cleaned out.

[DARUMA07 25]

I wish you the best in whatever endeavors you pursue! Good Luck to you!!!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Oh, I am so sorry! After the emotional roller coaster you have been through lately, it seems so sad to have this happen. I agree, you are a class act. I hope you find the love you are seeking and am so sorry that your visa journey with Onelis has ended like this. Take care.

[Ken y Leidys 20]

I know.At least you didn't end up like my poor friend Fernando who got his whole bank account cleaned out.

I have an idea. Lets get Will Smith to star as me in my VisaJourney, and we can make the whole thing a double feature with the upcoming Ingrid Betancourt/Oliver Stone project.

Good thing I didn´t toss $$ into the fire for the vaccines, passports, police report, Medical report, trips to Bogota (from Barranquilla and LAX), hotels, incendentals, etc.

I´m visitng w/some new friends this weekend, and maybe going to Cartegena to the Cafe Del Mar bar. I always wanted to visit Cafe Del Mar, and heres my chance.

[Brad and Vika 129]

I know.At least you didn't end up like my poor friend Fernando who got his whole bank account cleaned out.

I have an idea. Lets get Will Smith to star as me in my VisaJourney, and we can make the whole thing a double feature with the upcoming Ingrid Betancourt/Oliver Stone project.

Good thing I didn´t toss $$ into the fire for the vaccines, passports, police report, Medical report, trips to Bogota (from Barranquilla and LAX), hotels, incendentals, etc.

I´m visitng w/some new friends this weekend, and maybe going to Cartegena to the Cafe Del Mar bar. I always wanted to visit Cafe Del Mar, and heres my chance.

You deserve it buddy!! Sorry things didn't work out, but you conducted yourself well. Your sense of honor and dignity about all this is inspirational.

[Laveau 67]

Definitely her loss. You conducted yourself like a true gentleman throughout this ordeal. That says a LOT about your character.

[Ken y Leidys 20]

You deserve it buddy!! Sorry things didn't work out, but you conducted yourself well. Your sense of honor and dignity about all this is inspirational.

I take it back, we´ll get Andrew Jackson to play my part. I like how he gets all sweaty and then yells at everyone and curses like a sailor, leaving nothing to the imagination.

"...But wait! You´re afraid to leave Barraquilla? I was robbed at dinner tonight!"

Edited July 11, 2008 by Ken y Onelis

[Brad and Vika 129]

You deserve it buddy!! Sorry things didn't work out, but you conducted yourself well. Your sense of honor and dignity about all this is inspirational.

I take it back, we´ll get Andrew Jackson to play my part. I like how he gets all sweaty and then yells at everyone and curses like a sailor, leaving nothing to the imagination.

"...But wait! You´re afraid to leave Barraquilla? I was robbed at dinner tonight!"

OK, OK. Sense of honor and MARGINAL dignity. Seriously, Sam is one of my favs. Have you seen him in Hard Eight?

[Ban Hammer 13,347]

i was afraid this would turn out this way.