Booking tickets to Barbados
Jun 2nd 2009, 9:54 pm
#16
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Posts: 669
Re: Booking tickets to Barbados
Well said Ikon, as my husband says," Barbados is no sweet bread..." well you have to add in the accent and emphasis but you get the idea!
Jun 2nd 2009, 10:10 pm
#17
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Location: Hastings, Barbados
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Re: Booking tickets to Barbados
It's funny how the weather can be such an important fact for people. I'm thinking specifically of some of my friends & family back home who have the impression that because it's hot all year round, everything else is just wonderful and life is easy. In fact, we all live here like we're on a permanent vacation, didn't you know? 
I think they forget that we've all given up something to be here. I mean, I'm happy and not leaving any time soon, but the past year has definitely not seemed like an extended vacation... it's been hard work! Harder than at home because I didn't start here with the network of support that I had in Canada (got a good one going now, thanks to certain awesome peeps - you know who you are!).
But, I'll admit, break time and weekends are nicer than what I came from
I think they forget that we've all given up something to be here. I mean, I'm happy and not leaving any time soon, but the past year has definitely not seemed like an extended vacation... it's been hard work! Harder than at home because I didn't start here with the network of support that I had in Canada (got a good one going now, thanks to certain awesome peeps - you know who you are!).But, I'll admit, break time and weekends are nicer than what I came from
Jun 2nd 2009, 10:18 pm
#18
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 184
Re: Booking tickets to Barbados
So true Foxy!! I know I made the right decision to bring my family here but you are starting completely afresh and it takes a long time before it feels like 'home' and you make new friends etc - I only stopped calling London "home" about a week ago and realised that's here now.
Jun 2nd 2009, 10:20 pm
#19
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Location: Hastings, Barbados
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Re: Booking tickets to Barbados
Haha, me too. I flip-flop between calling Toronto "home" and here "home." Toronto is now only home in the nostalgic sense 
Jun 2nd 2009, 10:30 pm
#20
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Re: Booking tickets to Barbados
Foxy, u is very smart for having a friend like me...LOL!
It is true living here is at times not a picnic, but when you look at all of the advantages and take advantage of them-- we are pretty darn lucky to be here.
Here's a few, be they oddball, reasons:
1. I can garden to my hearts delight 365 days a year.
2. My cats can hang out outside and catch all the birds they can eat.
3. I can go the beach whenever I want.
4. My son can learn to swim for $115.00BB per term.
5. My co-worker sells me enormous Butternut Squash (FROM HIS FARM) for $2.00 a pound.
6. I earn some of my living writing!!!
7. My husband makes a mean Flying Fish Cutter, whenever I want!
8. I have some cool, genuine friends..they are not oddballs!
It is true living here is at times not a picnic, but when you look at all of the advantages and take advantage of them-- we are pretty darn lucky to be here.
Here's a few, be they oddball, reasons:
1. I can garden to my hearts delight 365 days a year.
2. My cats can hang out outside and catch all the birds they can eat.
3. I can go the beach whenever I want.
4. My son can learn to swim for $115.00BB per term.
5. My co-worker sells me enormous Butternut Squash (FROM HIS FARM) for $2.00 a pound.
6. I earn some of my living writing!!!
7. My husband makes a mean Flying Fish Cutter, whenever I want!
8. I have some cool, genuine friends..they are not oddballs!
Jun 2nd 2009, 11:41 pm
#21
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 184
Re: Booking tickets to Barbados
Foxy, u is very smart for having a friend like me...LOL!
It is true living here is at times not a picnic, but when you look at all of the advantages and take advantage of them-- we are pretty darn lucky to be here.
Here's a few, be they oddball, reasons:
1. I can garden to my hearts delight 365 days a year.
2. My cats can hang out outside and catch all the birds they can eat.
3. I can go the beach whenever I want.
4. My son can learn to swim for $115.00BB per term.
5. My co-worker sells me enormous Butternut Squash (FROM HIS FARM) for $2.00 a pound.
6. I earn some of my living writing!!!
7. My husband makes a mean Flying Fish Cutter, whenever I want!
8. I have some cool, genuine friends..they are not oddballs!
It is true living here is at times not a picnic, but when you look at all of the advantages and take advantage of them-- we are pretty darn lucky to be here.
Here's a few, be they oddball, reasons:
1. I can garden to my hearts delight 365 days a year.
2. My cats can hang out outside and catch all the birds they can eat.
3. I can go the beach whenever I want.
4. My son can learn to swim for $115.00BB per term.
5. My co-worker sells me enormous Butternut Squash (FROM HIS FARM) for $2.00 a pound.
6. I earn some of my living writing!!!
7. My husband makes a mean Flying Fish Cutter, whenever I want!
8. I have some cool, genuine friends..they are not oddballs!
Jun 3rd 2009, 10:54 am
#22
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Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Hastings, Barbados
Posts: 696
Re: Booking tickets to Barbados
Foxy, u is very smart for having a friend like me...LOL!
It is true living here is at times not a picnic, but when you look at all of the advantages and take advantage of them-- we are pretty darn lucky to be here.
Here's a few, be they oddball, reasons:
1. I can garden to my hearts delight 365 days a year.
2. My cats can hang out outside and catch all the birds they can eat.
3. I can go the beach whenever I want.
4. My son can learn to swim for $115.00BB per term.
5. My co-worker sells me enormous Butternut Squash (FROM HIS FARM) for $2.00 a pound.
6. I earn some of my living writing!!!
7. My husband makes a mean Flying Fish Cutter, whenever I want!
8. I have some cool, genuine friends..they are not oddballs!
It is true living here is at times not a picnic, but when you look at all of the advantages and take advantage of them-- we are pretty darn lucky to be here.
Here's a few, be they oddball, reasons:
1. I can garden to my hearts delight 365 days a year.
2. My cats can hang out outside and catch all the birds they can eat.
3. I can go the beach whenever I want.
4. My son can learn to swim for $115.00BB per term.
5. My co-worker sells me enormous Butternut Squash (FROM HIS FARM) for $2.00 a pound.
6. I earn some of my living writing!!!
7. My husband makes a mean Flying Fish Cutter, whenever I want!
8. I have some cool, genuine friends..they are not oddballs!
Oh yeah, don't worry - I know how lucky I am 
Great list, Zanne. We should all make one of these! I'm going to add to it, in the spirit of positive thinking (been watching too much Dr. Phil??)
1. Karate costs me only $30BBD per month
2. I can scuba dive whenever I like
3. I am browner than all my friends in Canada
4. Friends and family are a 6-hr flight away - not the other side of the world!
5. I've met some great friends here, who I'll truly be friends with for many years (also not oddballs - ha!)
6. We're close to other islands and can see them pretty easily and affordably
7. I work from home so I no longer have a painful commute (don't miss that in the snow in Toronto) and I live close to my gym
Jun 4th 2009, 2:07 pm
#23
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Barbados
Posts: 126
Re: Booking tickets to Barbados
Hey Vikki-- things have changed pretty radically at immigration since 2007, also keep in mind that the government has changed. I applied for my citizenship in August 2006, it was granted in May 2008, but now it takes at least 3 years!!! I wouldn't suggest to anyone to attempt to come in with a 6 months ticket these days...they are really all over this (in a totally disorganized way of course!)
Jun 4th 2009, 2:26 pm
#24
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Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Hastings, Barbados
Posts: 696
Re: Booking tickets to Barbados
great news Vikki! 
Jun 4th 2009, 2:42 pm
#25
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 184
Re: Booking tickets to Barbados
I have just spoken to immagration again to clarify, and they said it was fine for me to enter on a 6 month ticket, get a tourist extention when I get there for 6 months and apply for citizenship once married. Not sure if this is only because we are getting married or whether they are still giving out 6 month extentions to 'tourists'??? But at least I can sleep soundly tonight
Jun 4th 2009, 3:01 pm
#26
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Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Barbados
Posts: 126
Re: Booking tickets to Barbados
Thanks, it has put my mind at rest. 
I just hope that they are not easing me in gently with the extension and will hit me with complicated/confusing procedures later on (which I am sure they will)
I just hope that they are not easing me in gently with the extension and will hit me with complicated/confusing procedures later on (which I am sure they will)
Jun 5th 2009, 12:52 am
#27
Just Joined
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 25
Re: Booking tickets to Barbados
Hi Vikki,
When I arrived last June 08 I did exactly the same thing.
I was very lucky and had a real nice immigration lady at the airport who gave me 6 months straight away, a great start. May have had something to do with the fact my husband had travelled with me who is Bajan(not sure).
We immediately applied for my citizenship and was told until it came through to keep extending my stay.
The airport gave me until mid Dec so mid Nov I went down to Bridgetown to apply for my extension as I was told to do, I am still waiting!!!! and it's now June.
Everytime I call, they tell me that they will call me when ready and why am I worried about it?????
They initially kept my passport too but I had to get it back as had an emergency trip to make, I carried with me my receipts to show I'd applied to extend my stay and in fairness didn't have a problem coming back in.
I wish you the best of luck and please keep us updated, I hope your process is smooth and I hope I get a result soon...lol
When I arrived last June 08 I did exactly the same thing.
I was very lucky and had a real nice immigration lady at the airport who gave me 6 months straight away, a great start. May have had something to do with the fact my husband had travelled with me who is Bajan(not sure).
We immediately applied for my citizenship and was told until it came through to keep extending my stay.
The airport gave me until mid Dec so mid Nov I went down to Bridgetown to apply for my extension as I was told to do, I am still waiting!!!! and it's now June.
Everytime I call, they tell me that they will call me when ready and why am I worried about it?????
They initially kept my passport too but I had to get it back as had an emergency trip to make, I carried with me my receipts to show I'd applied to extend my stay and in fairness didn't have a problem coming back in.
I wish you the best of luck and please keep us updated, I hope your process is smooth and I hope I get a result soon...lol
Jun 5th 2009, 12:55 am
#28
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 184
Re: Booking tickets to Barbados
Hi Vikki,
When I arrived last June 08 I did exactly the same thing.
I was very lucky and had a real nice immigration lady at the airport who gave me 6 months straight away, a great start. May have had something to do with the fact my husband had travelled with me who is Bajan(not sure).
We immediately applied for my citizenship and was told until it came through to keep extending my stay.
The airport gave me until mid Dec so mid Nov I went down to Bridgetown to apply for my extension as I was told to do, I am still waiting!!!! and it's now June.
Everytime I call, they tell me that they will call me when ready and why am I worried about it?????
They initially kept my passport too but I had to get it back as had an emergency trip to make, I carried with me my receipts to show I'd applied to extend my stay and in fairness didn't have a problem coming back in.
I wish you the best of luck and please keep us updated, I hope your process is smooth and I hope I get a result soon...lol
When I arrived last June 08 I did exactly the same thing.
I was very lucky and had a real nice immigration lady at the airport who gave me 6 months straight away, a great start. May have had something to do with the fact my husband had travelled with me who is Bajan(not sure).
We immediately applied for my citizenship and was told until it came through to keep extending my stay.
The airport gave me until mid Dec so mid Nov I went down to Bridgetown to apply for my extension as I was told to do, I am still waiting!!!! and it's now June.
Everytime I call, they tell me that they will call me when ready and why am I worried about it?????
They initially kept my passport too but I had to get it back as had an emergency trip to make, I carried with me my receipts to show I'd applied to extend my stay and in fairness didn't have a problem coming back in.
I wish you the best of luck and please keep us updated, I hope your process is smooth and I hope I get a result soon...lol
Jun 5th 2009, 1:06 am
#29
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 669
Re: Booking tickets to Barbados
The airport gave me until mid Dec so mid Nov I went down to Bridgetown to apply for my extension as I was told to do, I am still waiting!!!! and it's now June.
Everytime I call, they tell me that they will call me when ready and why am I worried about it?????
They initially kept my passport too but I had to get it back as had an emergency trip to make, I carried with me my receipts to show I'd applied to extend my stay and in fairness didn't have a problem coming back in.
Everytime I call, they tell me that they will call me when ready and why am I worried about it?????
They initially kept my passport too but I had to get it back as had an emergency trip to make, I carried with me my receipts to show I'd applied to extend my stay and in fairness didn't have a problem coming back in.
And for the record this country needs repatriation of skilled persons...
Jun 5th 2009, 1:22 am
#30
Just Joined
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 25
Re: Booking tickets to Barbados
Hey Zanne,
You are absolutely correct, I have been waiting 6 months for my extension.
Every single time I call and actually get someone to answer the phone to me, they tell me not to worry. I tell them that the stamp was up in Dec and they just say that they'll call me when they're ready and because I've applied for citizenship it's no problem.
I was calling very regular (every 2 weeks or so) but now I figure if they're not worried then neither am I!!!!!
I guess as soon as they give it to me though I'll have to apply again as it will already have expired.
If I was allowed to work I would go there and help them get through the applications myself!! lol
It is ridiculous but I'm trying to laugh about it now....
You are absolutely correct, I have been waiting 6 months for my extension.
Every single time I call and actually get someone to answer the phone to me, they tell me not to worry. I tell them that the stamp was up in Dec and they just say that they'll call me when they're ready and because I've applied for citizenship it's no problem.
I was calling very regular (every 2 weeks or so) but now I figure if they're not worried then neither am I!!!!!
I guess as soon as they give it to me though I'll have to apply again as it will already have expired.
If I was allowed to work I would go there and help them get through the applications myself!! lol
It is ridiculous but I'm trying to laugh about it now....