K-1 Visit (merged)

[Kolewenoik31 57]

Sure your journey has begun. You have met online and formed a relationship. You are getting ready to meet in person for the very first time and that is such an important part of the journey. I know I've said it before but there is nothing like getting off that plane and walking into the airport and seeing him for the very first time. And after your visit is over then you decide what to do next. In our case we ended up changing plans. I was going to come back and file for K1 visa but instead I ended up going back and getting married and living with him for three months. Now I am ready to file his petition. But after you meet and talk and spend time together you can decide what is the best thing for you and once you decide that then go for it and don't look back. There are always going to be negative people and if you let them they will suck all the joy right out of your life.

Each step you take is a part of the journey. It is a crazy mixed-up long complicated pain in the *&@#$ process but in the end we get to spend our lives with the person we love. I'm early in the process too and I am happy to talk to you at any time. Feel free to PM if you want. And I wish you very good luck.

You have done it again...stop it! Thank you so much for your encouraging words. "They just suck the joy right out" I will be PM you and adding you as a friend. I have been in a real funky this week about all this. Isolating myself from everyone....even my fiance {not good}. Again thank you for building me up!

[TJandJR 69]

My fiancé and I chatted online almost daily, and on the phone, for over a year before I went to Nigeria to meet him face to face. I registered with S.T.E.P. online so that the embassy would know who I was with and where I was staying (his address which I had also mailed things to and knew it really was his address). I gave my mom and daughter his address, email address, physical address, full name, a scanned copy of his national ID card, names and phone numbers of his brother and parents and where they lived. Yes I was scared. Yes people thought I was crazy. But I judged my fiancés character correctly. I was safe with him. I never went places alone. Even with him being with me at the market for example I was very aware of my surroundings and the people around me. I stayed out of areas and regions that strong warnings had been given to US citizens and for that reason I would not travel to visit his mom. I also took a paper list of emergency phone numbers like the US embassy, police, hospital, and contacts in my phone I wrote down in case my phone was lost, stolen, or just not charged because of the darn electricity situation. I did not keep large amounts of money on me. My daughter wired me a certain amount of my money every week. Oh, and make sure you take many, many pictures and store and save and email them to yourself. You will need them later. Pictures of you two doing normal ordinary things and regular things couples do. Be safe. Best wishes.

[Kolewenoik31 57]

My fiancé and I chatted online almost daily, and on the phone, for over a year before I went to Nigeria to meet him face to face. I registered with S.T.E.P. online so that the embassy would know who I was with and where I was staying (his address which I had also mailed things to and knew it really was his address). I gave my mom and daughter his address, email address, physical address, full name, a scanned copy of his national ID card, names and phone numbers of his brother and parents and where they lived. Yes I was scared. Yes people thought I was crazy. But I judged my fiancés character correctly. I was safe with him. I never went places alone. Even with him being with me at the market for example I was very aware of my surroundings and the people around me. I stayed out of areas and regions that strong warnings had been given to US citizens and for that reason I would not travel to visit his mom. I also took a paper list of emergency phone numbers like the US embassy, police, hospital, and contacts in my phone I wrote down in case my phone was lost, stolen, or just not charged because of the darn electricity situation. I did not keep large amounts of money on me. My daughter wired me a certain amount of my money every week. Oh, and make sure you take many, many pictures and store and save and email them to yourself. You will need them later. Pictures of you two doing normal ordinary things and regular things couples do. Be safe. Best wishes.

Oooo...thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

[andy ngeci 18]

when i fiance came first we just knew each other 4 months! he was never in kenya or heard that name b4 he met me he just knew africa lol. i pickd him at airport and went with him to a hotel of his choice he had booked online ( holiday inn, crown plaza) at upperhills. we stayed there 2wks!! when going to airport i had my suitcase as well hahaha.. dnt forget his flight was arriving 10pm. i would say it depend with when you communicate how your feelings detect that person.

[andy ngeci 18]

we had skyped many times and exchange pics and chat daily. my fiance has a smily face i couldnt even imagine him hurting me lol

[katie & sifa 25]

I realize this post is now a few months old, so you may have already gone...but what part of Kenya does he live in? You can get hotels for pretty cheap in most parts of the country if you'd rather have your own place to stay for at least part of your trip. When I first moved to Kenya I stayed with a Kenyan family for 3 months and I often wished I had a place of my own to get away to for a bit, but that's just me. Traveling alone in Kenya as a female isn't as bad as some people make it out to be - I traveled all over the country both solo and with friends. If you haven't gone and you're looking for specific places let me know - I have friends that have lived all over Kenya (including myself!) so I might be able to help you out

[Kolewenoik31 57]

I realize this post is now a few months old, so you may have already gone...but what part of Kenya does he live in? You can get hotels for pretty cheap in most parts of the country if you'd rather have your own place to stay for at least part of your trip. When I first moved to Kenya I stayed with a Kenyan family for 3 months and I often wished I had a place of my own to get away to for a bit, but that's just me. Traveling alone in Kenya as a female isn't as bad as some people make it out to be - I traveled all over the country both solo and with friends. If you haven't gone and you're looking for specific places let me know - I have friends that have lived all over Kenya (including myself!) so I might be able to help you out

It's okay about you responding to the old post I appreciate all responses. I have made a decision to go. I will prayerfully be going in Nov. as far as the hotel is concerned I can't see that happening financially I plan to be there for quite some time. Thank you for your response and if you have anything else to share please feel free to do so.