Archive for November, 2009

3

Get your UK Visa Approved

November 28, 2009
After posting about my UK visa rejection, a lot of people end up in my blog reading about UK visa. Since I got the UK visa approval after I reapplied, I thought of posting about it too. How do we get our UK visa approval?

UK Embassy has one legal agency that accepts the visa application. It is called the VFS Border Agency. Here, you will submit all the documents along with your application. They cannot guarantee or give advise on how to get approval because it all depends on the people from the embassy the decision to approve and reject.

First, you log in to the VFS Border Agency website (whichever country you are from) which you can find easily using search engines. Then you download the application form, fill it up and prepare the documents that support whatever you have written, i.e. if you’re married, you can attach your marriage certificate. If you follow the instructions, it’s pretty much straightforward.

All documents must have an original copy. There is also a requirement for photo and you need to submit one copy, attached to the application form.

Also, if you’re going through sponsorship, make sure your photocopied bank statement has a certificate of true copy stamp from the bank.

The burden of proof is on you… and they base the decision on whatever documents you submitted.

If you have any questions, feel free to post a commet.

And all the best on your application.

London is worth going to. If you ask me whether I intend to go back there, the answer would be a definite yes… if given another chance, of course.

: Europe, London, UK Visa, visa
6

Dazzling Bogota

November 18, 2009

There are just many reasons why Bogota is dazzling.

1. You will be dazzled byColombian’s warmth, friendly manner and hospitality.

2. Thefood were to die for.  Check out my post on Food to Eat While in Colombia.

3. The view of Bogota from Mt. Monserrate was truly breath-taking.

There are many things to do in Bogota, Colombia but we couldn’t do much because we went there for a meeting. But of course, we made sure that we climbed Mount Mozarat or Mt. Monserrate. 3,152 Meters above sea level, Monserrate hosts a famous sanctuary in existence since 1640. You can hike, take the funicular or cable car to get to the top.

How to go to Mt Monserrate from Crown Plaza Hotel or Tequendama Apartment Suites? Simple. You just take a cab (10-minute ride) that would take you to the foot of the mountain. Cab fares range from 4,000 to 8,000 Pesos. We took a cable car to go up the mountain.


This is the view from our hotel room

This comfortable and cozy room had the same rate of the bed we took while in London. LOL.

Beautiful flower. It’s just bad that I didn’t get the name.

And the best part of all: it hailed on our last day in Bogota. I never experienced hails in my life and it truly was a treat to see the hails just before leaving Bogota.

All in all, our time in Bogota was wonderful, amazing, and dazzling. God is full of surprises. Who would think that I would be able to go to Bogota? He is amazing above all things. He constantly dazzles me. Thank you, Lord.

: Bogota, Colombia, South America, things to do
6

Crossing Cultures – Bogota, Colombia

November 18, 2009
(we were greeted by a Colombian Cultural dance on our first night)

Going to Colombia was not in my wish list to go but when I learned that hubby was invited for a conference there, I was thrilled and actually asked him if I could go with him. Oh right, there were some conditions… but I totally complied all of them. So I got to go. Our flight to Bogota, Colombia was en-route London. So we stayed in London for a few days before hitting Bogota.

(took every chance to take pics with Colombians)

On the way to Bogota, we met a Colombian girl and she was telling us some Colombian stories. It was good so we were prepared to meet Colombian culture. I thought going to Colombia for me was really crossing cultures as I knew that things in Colombia were different and we were on the different side of the planet.

(my best Colombian friend. she’s aspiring to “work” in China)

And to my utter amazement, I discovered cultures in Bogota is not much different from the Philippine culture. They are very happy people, very hospitable, warm, friendly, etc. I have read once that Latin Americans were the top 1 in the list of happiest people in the world. Filipinos come in 2nd. It shouldn’t be a surprise for me as the Philippines was colonized by Portuguese/Spanish for 300 years. And there are a lot of hints of the Latin American culture that are also present in the Philippine culture. I was also happy to use my few Filipino-Spanish words. Key Spanish phrase to learn though was: Cuanto Cuenta meaning how much. LOL.

The conference was attended by 52 countries and all countries in Latin America were represented… I was so thrilled to meet Latin Americans from all over South America. Indeed, the trip was a blessing. It was soooo amazing to worship God, hearing different tongues, same music, different languages, etc. What a memorable time we had in Bogota, indeed. I am dazed, amazed and blown away by God’s blessings

Of course, what is a trip without trying their salon services? I always do, everywhere I go. I didn’t have time to go for a spa in Bogota, but did my hair. It was a great service and I paid 14,000 Pesos. Don’t be shocked with the price though as the currency exchange from US Dollar is equal to 1850 Mexican Pesos.

: Bogota, Colombia, society and culture, South America