Colombia Club

[HAL 9000 96]

Hi folks

Well, I do have some news as to the medical parts:

We had our medical lab tests and physical last week. To our surprise the lab tests went very smoothly- we were there together at 6:50 AM and by 7:40 AM we were out the door. The test results were sent to Dra González that same day by 2:30 PM.

The lead receptionist at the lab was a bit rude with me for asking to sit my my fiancee during the bloodwork (all of its 30 seconds). So I sat in the wooden chairs in the reception area. Later we went for some buñuelos and chocolate since we both fasted since the night before.

We stayed at the Suites Inn in the Galerías district- a very residential area and economical- COP 60.000 per night. After the small breakfast we took a nap at the hotel and then went out for the physical at Dra González'. Yes, her father had been in a car accident and that required us to be understanding. However, she was extremely professional, kind, and even sweet with my fiancee. We made the boo-boo of leaving a couple of pics behind so we went over to the EXITO on Carrera 7a and had them done quite easliy. We returned to the office and gave them personally to the receptionist. She was also quite nice and helpful on those parts that she's been obviously exposed to from countless visa applications. Be nice to her, and she'll give you great info. Make sure your vaccines are up to date. 1998 is the earliest year to have on record. Even though, in my logic as someone that has received a shot once, and the immunization is stated to be once in a lifetime, then a 1993 shot should be good. That won't fly with the current guidelines so make sure to have your shots as close as you can to the date of the physical.

Since the Dra had these circumstances we did not receive the results that same day (May 30) but had my fiancee's aunt come by a day later for them. Make sure to leave written authorization both at the Dr's office and with your authorized party to smoothen that quickly.

What I did find quite funny was the obligation to hold on to the X-Ray results for the plane ride to the States. I guess we'll just keep it once the "authorities" fail to ask for it as I am told over and over by others that have done the same route.

Tonight we leave for Bogotá again from Bucaramanga to spend Sunday nice and relaxed at the aunt's place. Monday morning will be quite interesting and I pray to God that the entire process at the Embajada will be relatively smooth. Last night we went over the paperwork and evidence and after looking at the bunch of pictures, airline tickets, hotel receipts, email printouts, and everything else, the general feeling was that we couln't be denied such a strong, obvious, and clear case for approval.

WISH US LUCK!

[Mike and Adriana 0]

Horror stories with the male doctor in Bogota? Or just horror stories about male doctors in other countries?

I think I mentioned this before, but my wife went to the male doctor (her preference - doesn't care for the female doctors she has seen in Bogota) and had absolutely no problem with him or with the staff in his office. They were quite helpful, so she told me.

How was your fiance's experience with a male doctor? I have heard horror stories.

[lucho562 0]

Just male Dr's at from other countrys.

[lucho562 0]

Good luck Maviwaro. Keep us updated.

[jediknight 0]

suerte mavi!!!

JK

[Mononoke28 134]

I don't believe in luck at all, but I believe in that what is meant to be, will be.

Sending you and your fiancée good vibes from here.

[HAL 9000 96]

Thanks to all...

We´re staying in Pablo Sexto right now, about 5 min by taxi from the embassy. We´ll phone a cab at about 5 AM and try to make sure we´re there before a quarter til 6 AM. I hope that parkpappa and his girl also have a smooth procedure on Wednesday... and I do agree with Diana that what is meant to be, will be. Using that logic, the very first thing we will do on Monday after the interview is go eat lunch at the Parque de la 93. Lots of really good and intimate restaurants there.

Then we plan on either trying to hold her plane ticket for July from Bogotá via the airline website or if push comes to shove- visiting the ticket office in town. I am not counting my chickens yet, but our case is very well documented and we are extremely serious about each other. That kind of stuff shows and I don´t have a problem with making it known to anyone at the embassy that Maria means the world to me. We really don´t feel there are any concerns that any CO could have that would make her visa-ineligible.

I know they´re pretty restrictive about what stuff to bring in other than the paperwork. Are small messenger bags ok? No camera, no cell, that´s ok. I just want to bring the paperwork- all organized in a plastic folder that will be removed once inside to reveal one packed manila folder with more evidence than I care to mention other than its reflective in a lot of gratitude from evidence already discussed here. Also, we´d like to have a little extra reading material since the assumption is we won´t be leaving before 11 AM. A little Gabriel Garcia Marquez and some science papers should do the trick. Any ideas on the bag to take?

Again, thanks to all of you for the great pointers and details thus far. I have picked up quite a lot of confidence from previous posters` experiences and also have been able to track certain things that are true (and those that are not) about dealing with the US Embassy in Bogotá. This helps family members that are currently seeking B visas.

[HAL 9000 96]

I´ll try my best to get as near to the CO as I can during the actual interview. I am a T-Shirt and Jeans kind of guy so wearing something like I´ll be wearing tomorrow means I want to be seen!

Any previous interviewee fiancees have trouble approaching the actual interview part of the embassy visit? People were worried they were not allowed near the CO while the questions where being asked but I am hearing otherwise from friends over here.

[lucho562 0]

Maviwaro,

I have no tips to share with you. But am very interested how the whole process goes for you. Seems like you have your stuff down. Hope you get approved. I'm anxious to hear your report tomorrow.

[HAL 9000 96]

Maviwaro,

I have no tips to share with you. But am very interested how the whole process goes for you. Seems like you have your stuff down. Hope you get approved. I'm anxious to hear your report tomorrow.

I hope I have awesome news to report mañana!!

Gotta go iron my shirt and shaaaaave

One tip for you Lucho... Bogotá is pretty chilly now in June. Assume July will be the same. A light jacket should be ok but check the weather forecast carefully! Rain, rain, rain. Like Chicago in the early fall.

[Mononoke28 134]

My husband is in Bogotá right now and he says it's pretty cold and way too rainy.

[lucho562 0]

Come on Maviwaro!!!!!!!!!

Give us some great news!!!!!!

[Mononoke28 134]

I know. I keep checking in to see if he posted the good news already.

[lucho562 0]

I sure hope you're celebrating Maviwaro! You have me checking every 15 minutes for your update.

[HAL 9000 96]

Horror stories with the male doctor in Bogota? Or just horror stories about male doctors in other countries?

I think I mentioned this before, but my wife went to the male doctor (her preference - doesn't care for the female doctors she has seen in Bogota) and had absolutely no problem with him or with the staff in his office. They were quite helpful, so she told me.

How was your fiance's experience with a male doctor? I have heard horror stories.

Well, my fiancee spoke to two female applicants yesterday that had gone to Dr. Roa... and both were asked to completely strip naked with no underlying inspection other than a top to bottom "scan". Dra Gonzalez only made a fast inspection of the upper body according to my fiancee.