Got an Embassy question.

[Traveller]

This is for you old grizzled Veterans of the Colombian Embassy or other Embassies. This was my first experience with an Embassy.
I went into the US Embassy here in Quito to get a Police report notarized and or certified. I was told by the Colombian Consulate to go to the US Embassy to have this done.
Basically, I was told at the US Embassy,"We don't notarize or certify any American Documents."
I'm like wait a minute, "You are an American Embassy and you can't even notarize a document generated in the US?"
The lady said. "No," due to some agreement between the Ecuadorian Gov. and the US.
I said, "So, what am I suppose to do?"
She says, "You should fly home and get it notarized."
After I wiped off the "You could be the most stupid person on the face of the planet" look off my face,  I said, "Oh, just fly home and go to the notary, huh? You paying for the ticket?"
Of course I got the typical response, "I'm very busy. You're own your own." Then she parked her maximum density behind in a chair and continued to eat her pastry.
I don't know, maybe I wouldn't have been so mad if it were an American telling me this, but it was an Ecuadorian national who worked at the Embassy.
Have any of you guys been through something like this?
It's cool, I should get the Police report back from the States on Monday, but WTF, over? Matter of fact, it says on the sign at the Embassy, "American Services": Notary. Cerification of Documents, etc.
Then there is another sign for the Ecuadorians that basically says the same thing in Spanish.
So, my other question is: If it says "American Services" and they list notary and certification services, but won't notarize or certify American documents, what do they do?
Just blowing off steam.
Oh yeah, the night that happened (this last Tuesday) I got into a fight in front of this Internet cafe. Some drunk knucklehead stole my jacket off the back of my chair and tried to take off with it. I noticed it right away and took off out the door after him. I grabbed my jacket and kicked his legs out from under him. His buddy comes up behind me and hits me in the shoulder with a booze bottle. I couldn't have planned the next move any better. I ended up slamming my elbow right into his throat. Now, I never hit anyone in the throat with my elbow before, I hit something pretty solid in there, my funny bone bit me. Oh man, I'm cussing, swinging my arm around trying to get THAT feeling to go away, one guy is on the ground gasping and holding his throat, the other guy on the ground holding his right ankle. The two security guards come up laughing and the manager of the internet cafe (an Israeli guy) asked me what happened. I told him and he flagged down a couple of cops. He explained what I told him and they hauled the two knuckleheads off. No questions, no nothing. Probably just took them around the corner and told them to leave.
Moral of the story, don't leave your jacket on the back of your chair, because drunk knuckleheads will try and take it. LOL!
Take it easy,
K.......................

[El Diablo]

... in response to Got an Embassy question. , posted by Traveller on Dec 5, 2002

[This message has been edited by El Diablo]

Hey Keith,

I remember reading that most U.S. Embassies abroad have notary services.  For instance, they should be able to notarize a document that is signed in their presense.  However my recollection is that they are not allowed by law to authenticate documents issued in the United States as in a birth certificate.  Your police report may fall into the category of a document issued in the United States.

Anyway, good luck....

El Diablo

[burbuja2]

... in response to Got an Embassy question. , posted by Traveller on Dec 5, 2002

At the very least, I would get the lady's name at the Embassy and write a letter to the State Department when you get back with a cc to your congressman and senators. At the very least, you should eventually get some type of explanation.  Also, I will have to disagree with you about the probable outcome with the two thiefs.  I think the police did take these guys around the corner but then finished the job that you started.

[Traveller]

... in response to Re: Got an Embassy question. , posted by burbuja2 on Dec 5, 2002

I was kind of upset after the lady brushed me off, so I did write an email to the State Dept. Lot of good that will do. But hey, just part of living down here.
You know, I thought the cops might have done something, because tourism is kind of a big deal here for the economy, so they may not favor screwing with the Gringos, too much. But, I don't know.
My shoulder doesn't hurt anymore, my elbow went back to normal, I got my jacket back, and I made to would-be thieves look silly, so now it's a funny story.

[jim c]

... in response to Re: Re: Got an Embassy question. , posted by Traveller on Dec 5, 2002

Dear Traveler
Can't you stay out of trouble? The last time I saw you, I got robbed. You must be wearing Amor de ladrones cologne. When are you legal to return  to Cali? I will be there from 14 December until 12 January. Hope we can get together after the first of the year. I still want to run down that hijo de puta. JIM Columbo

[Traveller]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Got an Embassy question. , posted by jim c on Dec 5, 2002

You know, when my little incident happend, I had in my mind the image of you hitting that guy in the head with the bag.
Well hopefully, sometime next week  ishould get back, but I ain't holding my breath.
If you come down and you want to find me, you know where to look or who to ask.
talk to you later,
K.............

[bogota vet]

... in response to Re: Re: Got an Embassy question. , posted by Traveller on Dec 5, 2002

Get bored of Cali?

Cali is good for about two weeks, then boring place to live.

After you go to the Zoo, Chipe Chape, Unicentro, the city offers little to do, except get drunk.  Ave 6th is trashy. overhyped.
Youcan't even climb the mountain without getting mugged, the agency people, a friend who lives in ACli, some amigas said not to climb the Mountain to the Three Crosses.

Bogota a different level, always concerts, greta parks, activities , etc.. in the city going on.

[Calipro]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Got an Embassy question. , posted by bogota vet on Dec 5, 2002


I just called my wife in Cali and she told me that she changed our airplane tickets so we return to Cali on the 26th rather than the 23rd. So I'll be spending the 20th thru the 26th alone with my wife in Bogota and I know very little about the nite life in Bogota.

It still seems strange to me that she doesn't want us to spend Chrismas with her family in Cali.

 I hate to spread hear say but when I questioned her about her motivation for wanting to spend Christmas alone with me in Bogota she told me that last week some gringos where almost kidnapped at the airport and she doesn't think it is safe in Cali during Christmas time. She says that a lot of low class people come into Cali to party during the Christmas season and she doesn't want anything to happen to me.

I don't know if any of this is true. It could be as simple as her having a falling out with her family or as complicated as hiding her secret lover. Only time will tell if this is a red flag or a sign of true love.

[AlexG32]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Got an Embassy question. , posted by bogota vet on Dec 5, 2002

I am from Cali and I would have to agree with everything you said except the climb up to Las Tres Cruces.  I have climbed three times on my last three trips and not once have I felt any or for that matter witnessed any danger.  My last climb up I even took my ten year old cousin.

[bogota vet]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Got an Embassy question...., posted by AlexG32 on Dec 5, 2002

I asked some Cali amigas, the people in the agency, my amigas asked their friends, and another gringo told, they all said danger.

But some cab drivers said it was OK, and some cab driverds said danger.

I dont know who is right.

In Cali Biaio Club is nice.
But I tell Bogota , it is just a whole differnt level, endless.  The weekly entertainment guide is alwyas full activities, but remeber Bogota is the NYC of Colombia.