THE HOMELESS HARTLENS
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The Hartlen's have recently settled in Medellin, Colombia and have started exploring South America! We each have our own blog page. Marshall and Stephanie  author their own blogs, and share the task of writing each of the girls blogs. Aurora is starting to write some of her own blog posts. Marshall  authors  the travelling blog,  We  love feedback please feel free to share our journey  via links on this page!
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Deportation and Bleeding Ears: Its all a part of the Colombian Adventura!

14/12/2017

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PictureHelper Brynn Taking care of her big sister at Manuel Uribe Angel hospital.
When you choose to uproot your family and live a non-traditional life, there is always the lingering doubt that you have made a horrible mistake, and that you have made a terrible decision, and that there is a good reason why people general, do not choose to live as you do. This was all magnified yesterday as our three year old faced deportation, and our nine year old oozed blood from her left ear.
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Yesterday was one of the biggest tests the homeless Hartlen’s have faced since departing on this almost non-stop journey in December of 2012. Ultimately I think we will be fine, we have a few days to sort out the pending deportation of our three year old, and our eldest’s bleeding ears, while still causing her much pain and throwing vacation plans into question, is on the mend.

Lessons learned yesterday: Colombian immigration has little sympathy for late visa applications, even if it is only by ten days, and even if the person in question is only three. The courier system between Colombia and New Zealand actually works amazingly well (I should point out now that this is all my fault, but I am not completely ready to admit that in tedious detail just yet). The Colombian healthcare system, despite being a “developing” country is first rate, and surprisingly expedient. I will wager though, that when an obviously distressed minor starts oozing liquid from her ear whilst awaiting treatment, this tends to expedite said treatment. Finally, due to my still sadly lacking Spanish skills I would have been much poorer and more frustrated were it not for our amazing Colombian family support system of Sylvana, who sorted out our health insurance issues, and Rafa, who helped Stephanie with the immigration process.


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  • Family Travels
  • Marshall
  • Stephanie
  • Aurora
  • Brynn
  • Clara
  • Contact