Schengen visa, anyone?

applying for schengen visa... the feeling was like a mix of my first job interview and my finals in chem17.... go figure!

we woke up at 5am, went out of the villa at 545am.... we were at the embassy at 715am, and the office opens at 830am. we were the first in line but for some reason, we became 8th and 9th because they said they've been waiting downstairs, and we just walked past thru the security! well, we did not know! anyways, we did not argue anymore. mano said it is better that we see how it is done, so no. 8 is not that bad. while waiting, we managed to strike up a conversation with a south african stewardess, who was so perky and friendly. she said she cannot move without a visa, so she keeps renewing it every 6 mos. and even if she's been doing it always, she made us felt at home by empathising with our nervousness.

at 830am, they opened the office, and we were formally lined up. there were 5 bank-type windows (and yes, the typical venetian blinds!) and i realized "wow, everyone can hear what you are saying!". and then there was one glass booth for all german nationals.

then, two people were there on the other side of the glass window... hmm, they don't look like germans.... and oh, they smile! so they are not snobbish at all!! the indian family whom she is entertaining at that moment seemed to be so excited with his planned trip that he volunteers his stories about going to europe. the lady just kept smiling. and after the indian, i saw the local guy with 5 passports on hand. wow, they really have the money to do this with the whole family! and the girl spoke in arabic...hmmm, she really is not a consul, but just a receiver of the documents.

then my turn. i was nervous. maybe we overdid the 'impression side' as we were the only ones in office suits! i thought i had to make an impression that i can pay for this trip, and that i am coming back to UAE. i was so anxious what questions they might ask???? until, she saw my NOC certificate with the company logo, and beamingly she said "oh Adventureland! i always go there with my kids!" whoa, i hoped it was a 'ganda' point for me, haha!good conversation piece, so i followed it up with aksing her how often she goes there, where she lives, etc. just to relax me a bit. and it did the works. and then she asked for all of my documents (the online info was wrong! all the photocopies were not asked, and the application form need be in duplicate!). mano was on the other window. and she heard that her receiver spoke with my receiver, as if saying 'here's another one from Adventureland". cool!

then, i paid AED 300 (money down the drain if we do not get approved!) and we were given a receipt to wait for 10 days for the passport to be given back by TNT. yes, 10 waiting days..... the TNT guy who happened to be a kabayan, said that there are only 2% being rejected. i looked at the whole room.... there were only 10 filipinos... hmmm, that can make mano and me the 2%!?#$% haha! well, we just kept believing that it is all upto God now. nothing can be done on our side. the kabayan gave us these pamphlets about germany that really whetted our appetite the more!!..... oh, we just have to make our plan B super attractive so that we will not feel sooooo down in case we get rejected...


and just a few hours ago.... the TNT packet arrived, with my passport inside and....... the Schgenen visa stamped on it! yahoo!!!! we can finally plan our itinerary!!!!