I got my ticket!

[WonTanNara 0]

Yay! I got my ticket today to go back and see my fiance! It's been a long five months...

I know I don't want to stay in N'Gor for a month, and we can't go back to Guinea because it's just too unstable right now. We were thinking about going to Saly Portutal but now we are thinking about going to Gambia.

Apparently my fiance has a Guinean friend who plays in a Guinean ballet in Gambia and they say it's really nice. Having a ballet would be good for both of us, he's a drummer and I'm a dancer. WOO HOO!

So, I've seen some sites that say I need a visa and some that say I don't (I am US citizen). I'm also pretty sure we'll be in Banjul and would love to find a little room with a clean bathroom to rent for the month I'll be there. Christmas on the beach...? Good places to eat....? Good markets....?

Leedah, any suggestions? Anybody else? Help!

[reeses16 8]

To determine if you need a visa visit this site: http://www.ajtraveltips.com/beforeyoutravel

Look on the left hand side and click the "Visa search tool" link.

[Tiggi247 0]

Yay! I got my ticket today to go back and see my fiance! It's been a long five months...

I know I don't want to stay in N'Gor for a month, and we can't go back to Guinea because it's just too unstable right now. We were thinking about going to Saly Portutal but now we are thinking about going to Gambia.

Apparently my fiance has a Guinean friend who plays in a Guinean ballet in Gambia and they say it's really nice. Having a ballet would be good for both of us, he's a drummer and I'm a dancer. WOO HOO!

So, I've seen some sites that say I need a visa and some that say I don't (I am US citizen). I'm also pretty sure we'll be in Banjul and would love to find a little room with a clean bathroom to rent for the month I'll be there. Christmas on the beach...? Good places to eat....? Good markets....?

Leedah, any suggestions? Anybody else? Help!

You are right Guinea is kinda unstable now I hope you have fun I will have plenty of pictures, I am still going I will be there for 1 month, make sure you be safe .

[WonTanNara 0]

You are right Guinea is kinda unstable now I hope you have fun I will have plenty of pictures, I am still going I will be there for 1 month, make sure you be safe .

You too D, be safe. I wanna hear all about your trip when you come back!

Won tan nara.

[ForeverAmen 0]

Great news! Enjoy your trip.

[Leedah 22]

Gambia is nice this time of year. Since you have been to Africa, I guess I don't have to explain what nice is. Obviously your use to the sand everywhere. hahaha.

Anyway, I would suggest that you go to a place called Sun Downers in Kotu. It is owned by an older British couple name Mick and Janice.

They have a BEAUTIFUL compound that is VERY clean, has a lovely pool and is in a nice area with LOTS of restaurants and entertainment (atleast for Gambian standards, lol).

Here is the link: Sun Downers

http://www.sundownersgambianvillas.co.uk/ (in case you want to simply cut and paste or save the link.

Anyway, tell them that Khalidah sent you and they should give you a good discount. hahaha. Who knows if they will, but if you can haggle, you might get by. lol.

I have LOTS of peeps there if you go and need rides around no charge or if you get in a jam and need assistance.

I got international text message on my cell, so text me if your there and need assistance on something.

Leedah

[WonTanNara 0]

Gambia is nice this time of year. Since you have been to Africa, I guess I don't have to explain what nice is. Obviously your use to the sand everywhere. hahaha.

Anyway, I would suggest that you go to a place called Sun Downers in Kotu. It is owned by an older British couple name Mick and Janice.

They have a BEAUTIFUL compound that is VERY clean, has a lovely pool and is in a nice area with LOTS of restaurants and entertainment (atleast for Gambian standards, lol).

Here is the link: Sun Downers

http://www.sundownersgambianvillas.co.uk/ (in case you want to simply cut and paste or save the link.

Anyway, tell them that Khalidah sent you and they should give you a good discount. hahaha. Who knows if they will, but if you can haggle, you might get by. lol.

I have LOTS of peeps there if you go and need rides around no charge or if you get in a jam and need assistance.

I got international text message on my cell, so text me if your there and need assistance on something.

Leedah

NICE! Thank you so much! My fiance is supposed to be getting some information from his friend, ie where they are living and where the ballet is rehearsing. My French is terrible so I'm psyched Gambia is an English speaking country!

[Ta Ta 1]

Hope you have lots of fun.

http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/reports/FBI/a0824/final.pdf

Here is a loooooong read about security checks, sorry off topic but thought you may

like to know this.

In a nut shell ( page 11 ) checks back logged longer than 6 month are to be completed by April 2009, someone else said by February 2009.

Thought about you when I read that and hope you will be done with checks sooner than later.

[WonTanNara 0]

Oh yeah.... and sand up my butt? No problem hahahaha... I'm a beach baby too! B)

[WonTanNara 0]

Hope you have lots of fun.

http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/reports/FBI/a0824/final.pdf

Here is a loooooong read about security checks, sorry off topic but thought you may

like to know this.

In a nut shell ( page 11 ) checks back logged longer than 6 month are to be completed by April 2009, someone else said by February 2009.

Thought about you when I read that and hope you will be done with checks sooner than later.

Thanks Omoba! I don't mind OT. I'm really excited about this trip.

I wonder about this article. I only read page 11, and it talks about USCIS/FBI name checks, which are actually AOS name checks. We have an immigration attorney in our dance community and she's told me that the AOS name checks and visa security clearance processes are different. I could be wrong, and I would love to be wrong, and would love for our checks to be completed in April. It would at least give us a light and the end of the tunnel. We've been waiting almost a year since I filed the original petition, and for a K1 visa that is just ridiculous!

Insh-Allah.... we really want to come home together.

[WonTanNara 0]

Leedah I'm so sad! Janice quoted me a price of £460 for 3 weeks and that converts to almost $700! Way out of my budget. Wah! She also did not have a double bed room available and, since this will for all intents and purposes be our honeymoon, twin beds for that price just won't cut it.

If you have any other suggestions I am all ears.

Hugs...

[Leedah 22]

Sorry about that. I dont know why they have gone up on the price.

geez louweeeeze!

Try manjai lodge. Its pretty cozy and basic. I'll look around for you.

When are you needing it so i'll know the dates?

Leedah.

[WonTanNara 0]

Sorry about that. I dont know why they have gone up on the price.

geez louweeeeze!

Try manjai lodge. Its pretty cozy and basic. I'll look around for you.

When are you needing it so i'll know the dates?

Leedah.

Thank you so much! We want to arrive Friday 12/19 and depart Friday 1/9. I'll look for Manjai lodge. I really really appreciate your help!

[Ta Ta 1]

Leedah I'm so sad! Janice quoted me a price of £460 for 3 weeks and that converts to almost $700! Way out of my budget. Wah! She also did not have a double bed room available and, since this will for all intents and purposes be our honeymoon, twin beds for that price just won't cut it.

If you have any other suggestions I am all ears.

Hugs...

That does not even go together in the same sentence

Hope you will find cheap but heavenly accommodation with a suitable honeymoon bed !

[Tiggi247 0]

Sorry about that. I dont know why they have gone up on the price.

geez louweeeeze!

Try manjai lodge. Its pretty cozy and basic. I'll look around for you.

When are you needing it so i'll know the dates?

Leedah.

Thank you so much! We want to arrive Friday 12/19 and depart Friday 1/9. I'll look for Manjai lodge. I really really appreciate your help!

I hope that you have a wonderful time. I depart on Sunday 12/14 going to Conakry and I will be there until Thursday Jan 08, I cant wait to be with her again its been far to long and this time I will make sure that I take plenty of pictures. And I still dont have any idea of where I will be staying at her family wants me to stay with them but we will most likely rent a apartment for the month, she has a very very big family