After I got the passport and CA the next thing to do was apply for visa. For this occasion, I used a Schengen Visa. It's a visa which you can use for European Union countries, known as Schengen Area, which currently consisting of 26 countries. Pay attention for the EU countries you're gonna travel to, it might not listed as Schengen Area, such as UK and Romania, and you will be surely in trouble when you don't have a proper visa. (don't laugh, my friend had been arrested by the immigration officer in Romania because of this)
 |
| Schengen Area |
Anyway, back to my story. This was my really first time dealing with visa application and I heard people complaining and been scared of this kind of document. Unfortunately, Me too !! But the wise man said. Don't count your chickens until they hatch. So, keep calm..
First of all, you have to search what type of visa you need and its requirements. It's much better if you search it at the official site of your destination countries' embassy. For Czech Republic Embassy in Jakarta, you can go here . Make sure you read ALL and please just follow the instructions. Do not ever miss a single information or you'll ended up with disappointment. You also should ask some people who has applied the same visa before, ask many questions as you can, it will be very useful especially when it's your first experience like I was. The bottom line is, search and get yourself as many information as you can for your own good.
In about one week I got all the requirements ready. The bad news was I only had 3 weeks before my departure. I know, it was crazy. Totally crazy !! You, normally, should have applied for your visa at least two or one and a half month before your departure date.
At first, I was told to give this in to one of the travel agent in Malang. It was said that the can handle and make it easier. I just believed them and waited for their confirmation. One day waiting, I was in doubt because I had to move and do everything fast due to just a lil time I had. So, I went to the travel agent the day after, hoping that they can do it quickly. When I asked them, this is what they said..
"sorry, miss. We are afraid it will require much more time, usually we need a month to get the visa ready.."
I nodded.. and WHAT ?? A MONTH ? F**KIN SH*T ! WHY YOU DIDN'T TELL ME EARLIER, YOU M*R*N! I screwed loudly in my heart and walked away, deeply annoyed, and regretted.
All in all, I took back all my documents from the travel agent. At home, I directly contacted my brother, who currently live in Jakarta, and he was so nice that he booked me and my dad tickets to Jakarta for the next day.
One thing learned from here is, you can apply for visa through the travel agent IF you have enough time, and money of course. Noted.
The next day, I arrived at Jakarta at about 6 o'clock and we headed to Czech Embassy at Menteng. We headed to Czech Embassy and we were the first applicant there (yey!). Although it was still closed, the nice security guard told us to left a paper with my name and number 1 on it, means that I was the first to come there. So I wrote on a paper and left it in front of the gate.
 |
| Czech Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia |
While waiting the embassy opened at 9, my brother asked us to have a breakfast first. So we grabbed something to eat at Burger King. I must admit the King gave me so much energy that day, thanks King! After spending about one hour, we went back to the Embassy at about 8 and there were already many people there. Phew, I felt so lucky that I came earlier.
As we were waiting outside the embassy (Yeah, outside) , I met several applicants and talked each other. The first one is a-man-who-i-forgot-his-name, from IPB, who gonna take his Master Degree at Czech. He got his scholarship, it was Erasmus if I am not mistaken. The next one is a girl from UGM Yogyakarta, who also got Erasmus undergraduate scholarship. It was great to meet them, and I hoped I can be one of them too someday :)
At 9 o'clock, people and me started to gather right in front of the right tiny gate (a special gate for visa applicants). Not long afterwards, a security guard showed up and said "Who's the first?" in Indonesian. I raised my hand and walked in as he opened the gate. I wasn't allowed to bring my bag so I just took my map with the documents in it. For those who ask, you also not allowed to be accompanied, or another word is you have to go inside all alone.
As I entered the front room, I felt like my heart already in my throat but I kept praying. I arrived at a locket, with a native woman who spoke Indonesian so fluently inside. After I said Good morning, I gave her the documents. She took them and started to read it one by one, yes, one by one, carefully. Oh, she is seriously reading it. I thought. And I kept praying..
Ten minutes later, I guess, she turned back and said something like this (I forgot exactly what she said),
"This is okay and you have to pay IDR 700.000 (it was about USD 70). One more, I think you need a new photo (she pointed at my photo) because your headscarf isn't allowed to cover the face. You have to pull it to the back or leave it for a second."
I was a bit shocked but totally relieved. HAH! Then, I went out and asked the money to my dad and my brother. Yeah, it was totally silly I didn't keep the money with me LOL. My brother, who was once again being so kind, gave me the money. I came back and give it to the lady. She handed me a bill and it was also used to take the visa later.
Finally, I walked out and soo delighted that it had just finished. I was so lucky I did it in my first appointment. Thanks God !!!
Two weeks later, tadaaaaaa... The visa was ready!! Woohooo... Prague was calling me again and again :)
.jpg) |
| My first visa :D |
0 comments:
Posting Komentar