Jack Goes to Europe
By the time that this post had been published, I’m sure I’m already in Germany. I’m not kidding you but I am writing this post today which is JANUARY 30, 2016.
Yup, more than 2 months before I’m actually going to be here. I had to write this for me to be positive and actually claim that I will be in fact going to Germany. Warning: this post might seem so dramatic and I might turn into a crazy woman throughout this post because I will not write this in one go thus, the mood change. This post will be some sort of an update thing on my progress and this will stay in my draft folder until I actually landed in Germany.
So far, I’ve just scheduled my visa interview and my heart sank when I saw that the whole month of February is already booked. I was supposed to have it scheduled on the 15th of February then fly in Germany around March 15-ish but anyway, maybe it’s God’s way to show not to rush things and prepare, prepare, prepare. I have more than a month now instead of 2 weeks to prepare my requirements.
Yes, this is a big deal for me.
I know some of you might think that I’m overly dramatic for someone who’s just going to Europe but fuck it THIS IS MY DREAM. A lot of people want to be this and that but this is one of my major ambitions – to go to Europe without depending on anyone. Trust me, it’s not easy especially when you’re a poor person like me from the Philippines because you need to get a visa and show proof that you’re actually coming back and won’t stay there illegally and those proof are FUCKING HARD TO OBTAIN. I had to show them I have a certain amount of money, that I have a job to come back to here in the PH (PH companies don’t honor month-long leaves), health insurance, flight reservation, etc etc and it’s driving me bananas. It’s especially harder because:
- I’m not rich nor is my family
- I don’t have a European boyfriend or husband to take me there
- I don’t have any assets/ registered businesses here
- I haven’t been anywhere abroad
- I’m young and I’ve only been in my current job for 7 months
- It’s hard/impossible to ask my client and then the company to grant me a month-long leave
- It’s hard to convince the consul that a young Pinay will come back and not be a TNT
Basically, all odds are against my favor and I will believe in miracles (and my hard work, of course) if I ever get there. I am planning to just go to nearby cities then maybe do Airbnb or rent a hostel to travel around? I still don’t know yet. I’m just glad I’m halfway there. I know family is family but I don’t want to inconvenience anyone just to fulfil my dreams.
I haven’t told anyone my plans of leaving. My family knows about it because I need their advice and encouragement and my mom jokingly told me that my plans to go is basically a gamble or a game with a level; Level 1 is asking for my client’s permission, level 2 is asking for the company’s permission, and level 3 is the consul itself.
I started planning around the 1st week of November and not telling a single soul about it. It was in December when I told about my colleague, Tala, my plans about asking our client for his permission to take a leave. (I’d like to take this moment to thank Ate Tala for everything. You’ve been my rock during these rough times, you encouraged me to believe in Him and trust His plans for us. Without you, I wouldn’t be here happy. Thank you so much.) It was the 11th of January, 2016 when I mustered the courage and ask my client for this leave. Imagine asking your boss “Hey, I wanna take a month off. Will you wait for me to come back from my vacation and give me back my job when I’m already broke from this vacation?” LOL. It wasn’t easy! Besides, my client has a contract with the company I’m employed at so whatever his decision is will not be final and the company’s executive will still have to deliberate on it. Long story short and after many, many, many tears, anxiety, and heartbreaks later, they both agreed to sign my leave and support me on my endeavour. I’ve yet to receive the leave of absence I will present to the embassy next week. You’ve no idea how it was a roller coaster ride and I always ask myself if this will all be worth the stress. There came a point when I just want to give up and continue my life here in the PH. Besides, I’m happy here and I’m earning so good for my age, I can buy whatever the fuck I want, eat and go wherever I want so why complicate my life and spend almost all of my life savings for a month-long Euro trip? Ate Tala reminded me how much I wanted this and it’s worth the risk.
Yes, I’ve yet to have my interview a month from now and if the German Embassy rejected my visa application, I flushed around PHP 15,000.00 (non-refundable visa payment, insurance, reservation, etc etc) down the drain and I could never get that amount back and of course, the extreme pain from the rejection. It has only been 6 months since I started planning for this but it has been more than decades since I wanted to go in Europe and I can’t believe it’s kinda coming true. I don’t want to tell anyone about this because I’m afraid it would be jinxed. My plan is to tell my friends about this a week before my departure and yup, I know it’s bad but I need to make sure before I make claims. I will post on social media and tell my friends about this when I’m already there. I don’t know what to feel but I need to be positive and claim that I will be there before April of 2016.
I will start compiling documents now and I will write my progress here. See ya, folks!
LOL, just realized how silly it will be when my visa gets denied. This post will basically be useless and I’ve to delete this with a broken heart. 🙁 Okay, stop and be positive!
February 26, 2016 – I got every documents completed! Will have to sign and photocopy it later then I’m good to go!
150 pages of documents!!! It’s hard to be a citizen of a 3rd world country but it’s exciting!
March 2, 2016 – Ready for my interview!
It went quite well, I guess? The consul is a 27-30 year old woman and she’s kind of snarky but I think I did well in showing her that I’m not intimidated or scared because why would I? I don’t have plans to be an illegal immigrant. I will write a post on How to Get a Schengen Visa from German Embassy Manila when I have the time.
March 2-6, 2016 – Waiting game. I’m going crazy, you have no idea!
Getting a US Visa is 10000x easier! At least they’ll tell you right away whether you’re denied or approved. That way, after the interview, you can sleep. Getting a Schengen visa, the hardest part is the waiting game! Torture!!! This is why I decided to go Baguio with my sisters and my college friends. I have to get my mind off of the visa so I left the tracking number from 2Go to make sure I won’t be tracking it every 5 minutes when I’m in Baguio. LOL.
March 5, 2016 – WHERE THE F IS MY SCHENGEN VISA?!
It’s Sunday 11PM and we’ve just arrived back in our home in Makati. I tracked my visa and it said that they tried delivering it yesterday (3 days after my interview) but they can’t find our home???? Why not freaking contact me????? I’m so maaaadddd…
March 6, 2016 – 8am – Called 2Go
I woke up 4 in the morning because I’m so excited to call 2go at 8am and ask my visa status. I know, I’m crazy about this trip. They said that they will deliver it today. I can’t wait…. I’m feeling all sorts of feeling… I don’t want to overthink. 2go said they will surely deliver it before 5pm today.
March 6, 2016 – 3pm – Called 2Go again
The agents must be so pissed at me for calling 3x today. It’s already 3:30 PM but I still don’t have my visa. They reassured me that I’ll receive it before 5pm.
March 6, 2016 – 4:30pm – MY VISA IS HERE!
I AM CRYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY MOM IS SUPER HAPPY FOR ME WHEN WE FOUND OUT I GOT MY VISA APPROVED!!!!! I’M CRYING AND SHAKING WHILE TYPING THIS!!!!!!!! THEY GAVE ME MULTIPLE ENTRY + ADDED FEW WEEKS TO MY VISA….!!!!!!! THANK YOU GERMAN EMBASSY!!!!!!!
March 7, 2016 – Booked a flight!
I booked a flight via mytrip.com! I paid almost 45,000 pesos for my flight. Not bad! MNL-HKG-FRA-DUS. Kind of a long flight but it’s the cheapest. I’m super excited!
March 25, 2016 – Time to pack
It’s only 5 days before my flight and I still haven’t packed. I borrowed my sister’s luggage but I don’t have a cute carry-on. My mom told me to just buy a new one but nope, not in my options. I am running out of money and I am just laughing at that fact. LOL #YOLO.
Hello Lambino, First of all, we are so proud of all your achievements. You’ve gone further than what ohers our age can go and honestly it is inspiring. You awe us really!
I am one of those living proof of your early dedication to getting these dreams of yours turn into reality. In case, you don’t recall who I am, Jeric, First Year Highschool classmate.. I once asked you to create a *friendster layout for my sister back then and in turn, im not sure how much but you asked for a mobile credit reload lol. Making business at an early age because admit it you have many incredible talents and skills which not many posseses.
I always see your facebook posts, liked most of them in fact. I don’t usually simply like any random post at my newsfeed. I hope you keep on doing things you love.
And please, stay stable, unlike most of our friends already expecting children. I mean there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the notion but those friends seem to like do it for fun.
Pls know im not creeping on u okay Jack? Haha I really just wanna commend you on all of these. I’d like on your facebook updates and wanted to comment everytime but nahh, you need not so much praise, do you? I mean, you know it yourself already.. We’re just happy for you being able to do all these independently and I hope you continue to do so. So a like should be fine.
Btw, your Euro trip blog is very informative. I am also planning the same trip within this year, if time permits. If not, just like you did, I’ll work my ass off until the time is right perhaps.
That is all Lambino, keep up the good work! GOD BLESS!
This needs no reply, but should you need to say something or if anything in this message bothers you, you can always reach me via facebook. – Jerico Tan
I’m speechless. Thank you, thank you, thank you! <3
I am more than grateful than you are Jack. You are very young and you have been not only a good friend but an inspiration to me as well. At a young age you have proven everyone that dreams can be accomplished if you truly believe and work hard for it. And yes it is true that real happiness can be attained at the point that you trust your life in the Lord and I am humbled that I was with you in that journey. God touched our hearts both, the first time we met, that this is gonna be a great relationship and evolved to a higher degree of relating to the Lord.
I am happy with every accomplishment you had and we have proven that time only strengthen relationships but it does not define it. It’s been only less than a year from the day I first met you, but it felt like I’ve known you for years. Continue living a life that God wants you to. Do not be affected with ill thinkers, rather pray for them that they may also find peace and contentment with their life.
I love you my dear Jacklynne. You are a friend and a sister to me. As time pass, I hope that you never let go of your beauty inside and out. I am always here. So long as God tells me to, I will be here for you. Dream big but keep grounded. Stay happy! <3 <3 <3
Hey there! I just had my interview last Thursay. Hoping I would be approved 🙂 anyway, did 2go or the embassy contact you thru e-mail or mobile if the passport is already going to be shipped back? Thank you! Also, enjoy your trip!
No. Neither of them contacted me but I followed up via the 2Go number. I wish you luck! 🙂
Hi Jacklynne! I honestly don’t know how I ended up on your fb page. I was planning my Europe trip last night and when I woke up after a nap your name is on my newsfeed. I scrolled down and I got really interested coz I’m going to most of the places you visited. Love your page so I didnt hesitate to follow you. I don’t have a concrete plan yet. My vacation is 4 weeks. I leave in mid of July. Oo, until now wala pa tlaga akong plano. It was just last night na nag tingin tingin Ako online. Haha. I’m flying from San Diego, California to London and I’ll start my Europe journey there. Do you mind giving me some tips or ideas? I did backpack in Thailand and Cambodia last March. Pero parang feeling ko mahirap ang Europe i-travel. I stayed at the hostels there. Where did you stay at and how did you organize you transportations and activities? Let me know please. I’d appreciate any help. Thanks!
Hello. It’s the Universe’s will for you to see me, charot! HAHAHA! Anyway, that’s so exciting! How I wish I can travel Europe again. I have no point of comparison since this EU trip is my first ever international travel so I don’t know how it is with Asian countries but I must say, Europe is so easy to travel and you’ll never get lost just as long as you Google it prior to departing.
I’m not much of a backpacker type eh and I am the worst in organizing itinerary that’s why I just used TourRadar’s service wherein the transportation, accommodation, guide, and meals are already included eh.
I don’t know what I could do to be of help but if you have more questions, ask away! 🙂
A very inspiring lady! Keep it up! Enjoy life! Save too 🙂
Hi Jack,
I was in deep thoughts in making my 3 year life plan. I stumbled upon your article in When In Manila and it literally blew my mind!! It has been always my dream to travel! Thank you for inspiring me. 🙂 I am so determined to make my dreams come true. I am also 21 years old but, I have a 9 month old baby boy. But that doesn’t stop me it even inspire me more than ever. I’ll be reading your blog and preparing myself lol. 😀
Hi! Thank you so much for this. I just want to clarify, did you book for an appointment first before preparing all the visa requirements?
I prepared half of it, booked appointment, then completed the requirements while waiting for the interview.
Of course! Your baby is not a hindrance – it should be an inspiration!
I will always save as that is my hobby haha. Thank you!
Hi Jack.. your story is so inspiring to anyone who will be reading and to anyone who have plans to visit different countries. Same feeling when my husband and I got our Schengen Visa. We applied at Austrian Embassy. We got it in 5 working days only and were both crazy about it. LOL! We travelled Rome, Venice and France. Whew!
I love Austria. I want to go back to Vienna! I’m actually planning to apply for a Schengen visa again but would want to try other Embassy aside from Germany because I will stay in Czech Republic or Vienna. I’ve heard CZ takes 15 days for the visa to arrive so I think I’ll just go for Austria. Thank you! <3
Hi Jack, thank you so much for the details…very informative! 😀 But, I’m just curious about the 150 pages of documents that you have mentioned… That’s a lot.. If I may ask, what are those? 😀
All those stuff mentioned lang. For example, I had 10 pages of Airbnb listings. OA noh? HAHA!
hi jack. thank you so much for the details a big help for me 🙂
been working my ass for 5yrs hopefully they will approve my visa … 🙂
Good luck!
hello. i scheduled an appointment to the embassy 3 months before my flight. december will be my flight and the scheduled appointment is september. is that okay you think? because i’m considering some days if ever i will be denied i would ask for an appeal. 🙂
Yup, that would be perfectly fine! 🙂 Good luck!