30 days in Barranquilla

[Brent]

I arrived yesterday in Barranquilla, and I will be here for 30 days. I worked it out with my company that I can work remotely, as a trial run. If all goes well (which it will!) I can make it more of a permanent arrangement.

This time I flew SFO -> DFW -> MIA -> BAQ. It was the best itinerary so far. The last two times I flew through Bogota, where they make me retrieve my luggage to go through customs, and then I have to check them again for my connecting flight. This time, I checked my bags once in San Francisco, and I didn't see them again until Barranquilla. Also, the immigration was a breeze. In all, it was a great route to take. Plus, American Airlines let me upgrade to First Class for $175!

I rented an apartment during my last trip here, in October. My girlfriend and her son moved in the first week of November, and we now have the place fully furnished. I also have a DSL connection that I will use for my work (I am a Software Engineer).

I am still a little tired from my lack of sleep during the trip, but other than that I feel fine, and very happy to be back in Colombia!

[LastLion]

This should be interesting Brent. I will be waiting to hear how life treats you! keep us posted!

[Tim413]

My wife and I will be in Barranquilla at the end of January. Hopefully, we can connect.

Tim

[Benjio]

Brent, I know haven't sent you a reply to our conversation via text but I'll be down there at the end of January. I let you know when I arrive. Hopefully this time the weather will allow us to hang out (not like last time with the rain and all). See you soon.

[TBOND]

Seems like everything is order brent... Great news! Nothing but the best on your new endeavor.

[Whitey]

Hey Brent:

It was great meeting you and your novia ... she's very pretty and seems like a very nice person. Funny that she lives only a few streets away from my novia ... I guess that barrio raises some good women!

It's too bad our trips only overlapped a couple days, and thanks again for picking up the lunch tab.

Have a fantastic month!

[Brent]

Hey Whitey -

Thanks again for meeting us for lunch. We had a great time. Too bad the waiter was such a bad photographer...

And it certainly was a funny coincidence that your novia lives so close to our apartment! We'll have to do it again the next time we are both in town.

[Brent]

I am more than half-way through the month, and everything is going very well. It is a bit challenging working remotely, especially now that I supervise 6 software developers (I only had 3 in December). Plus, I am now on New York time, and most programmers don't start working until 10 am Pacific time.

The Internet here has (knock on wood) performed admirably. We signed up for a fixed DSL line through Telefonica, for 80.000 COP per month. I also signed up for a mobile Internet connection through Comcel as a backup, but I haven't had to use it yet...

My novia and I took a short trip to Medellin on the 7th to visit Micky and see the city. It was her first trip away from the coast, as well as on an airplane. We had a great time, and even got to see the Christmas lights on the river before they removed them. I didn't charge my camera battery that day, so I only have my memories...

[48 And Holding]

Great news! Wish you the best with her.

[Brent]

Here are some photos taken in Barranquilla and Medellin.