Novia to Tijauna while waiting for VISA

[elcolombiano]

I live in the Los Angeles Area.
I am planning on bringing my novia from Cali to Tijuana so we can be together on the weekends while waiting for the Fiancee VISA to come through. Durring the week she will take english classes.

I will rent her an apartment. Are any of you in a similar situation? Perhaps she can share the apartment with another Calena/Colombiana so she will not be so alone durring the week.

Please do not make fun of this message with ignorant comments about Tijuana. It is a city with good and bad just like any other city.

[H2Oh]

... in response to Novia to Tijauna while waiting for VISA, posted by elcolombiano on Aug 10, 2003

This is my 2-cents. I think it is a really bad idea to leave your girlfriend in Mexico. It is a different culture. I think this is selfish on your part and you should leave her in Colombia with her family while you BOTH wait for the visa.

H2-Oh

[Freddie]

... in response to Novia to Tijauna while waiting for VISA, posted by elcolombiano on Aug 10, 2003

Good:
1. You two get to see each other on weekends no matter how long the visa takes.
2. She attends English classes during the day and watch novelas at night (which she probably would be doing in Cali anyway). The local language is Spanish so she won't have to adjust to that.  
3. She can begin getting used to being away from her home and family, albeit in sort of an extreme way.

Bad:
1. I assume she'll have to fly back to Bogota for her medical exam and interview then fly to the U.S.
2. She might become incredibly bored and lonely and decide the whole idea of marrying and moving to the USA is way too stressful.
3. This scenario will cost you a lot more than just leaving her in Cali until she gets her visa.

All in all it's ultimately up to you but I'd have to go 45% good, 55% bad.

[Pete E]

... in response to Novia to Tijauna while waiting for VISA, posted by elcolombiano on Aug 10, 2003

Actually it sounds like a good plan to me if you want to see your novia while you are waiting for a fiance visa.You could spend weekends there and she could take english classes during the week.The only thing In would be concearned about other than finding her a safe apartment is homesickness.Colombianas have a tough time leaving their family.If she was alone during the week it might be worse.Get some good phone cards.She will probably be calling home every day for 1-3 hours.
And you will probably be making some during the weeek drives to TJ.2 hrs +/- ?.

Pete

[Ralph]

... in response to Novia to Tijauna while waiting for VISA, posted by elcolombiano on Aug 10, 2003

I went to Tijuana last week. I was in San Diego for work and decided I needed to see Tijuana, even if just to say I had been there. It wasn't nearly as bad as I was lead to believe, or maybe I just didn't find the seedy areas?

The plan was to have a few beers with my buddy and head back to SD on the trolley. Well. . . .. we got there late as we ate dinner down on Mission beach and the service was incredibly slow. We got into Tijuana just before 1:00 AM. We planned to take the 3:00 am trolley back.

One problem, there is NO 3:00 am trolley. Instead we needed top wait til 4:45 am! I got back to my hotel around 6:00 and has press meetings starting at 8:00 am! Big mistake on my part.

As for having your GF stay there while waiting for visa, others have good points. How will she occupy her time. What does she normally do in Cali? Would she be happy sitting in her apartment watching TV every night? Will you be able to call every night and talk to her to keep her occupied and happy?

My Ex had to stay in Nueva Laredo for 2 weeks at one point. I was in San Antonio and went down on the weekends as well. It worked out fine, for the most part. 2 weeks is different than 2-3 months though.

I would suggest you head to Tijuana and scout out the area you would want her to live in.

[Cali James]

... in response to Novia to Tijauna while waiting for VISA, posted by elcolombiano on Aug 10, 2003


I agree with Mudd, this sounds like one of the worst schemes I've yet to hear from anyone.  Put your gal in a good English institute in Cali and be patient.

[mudd]

... in response to Novia to Tijauna while waiting for VISA, posted by elcolombiano on Aug 10, 2003

Dude, you may tink this is a good idea, but your going to find out that this is a REALLY bad idea. she is going to stay in a foreign country, taking english classes, and then what after the class is over, go back to the apartment and sit there all night,and what about if she gets into some sort of trouble?. i hope you know what your doing. good luck.