Getting Started
Alright so I decided to do this crazy European road trip next summer. First panic moment: realized my passport alone won’t cut it. Schengen visa needed? Totally new territory for me. Googled “schengen visa” and almost choked seeing all the rules. Started sweating like crazy.
Digging Into Requirements
Checked the embassy website of the country I’ll enter first (France). Found this massive checklist:
- Application form looking like a tax return
- Passport photos needing super specific size
- Flight booking confirmations (refundable ones, thank god)
- Hotel reservations for every single night
- Bank statements showing I won’t beg on streets
- Travel insurance covering my whole body
My desk looked like a paper bomb exploded. Started printing like a madman.
Filling Out the Beast
Sat down with coffee and that application form. Worst part? They want my last two jobs plus salary history. Had to dig through ancient emails to find old pay stubs. Messed up the date format twice because why use normal dates, right? Finally punched in all cities I’ll visit – felt like confessing to Interpol.
Booking Nightmare
Had to reserve hotels for 14 days across three countries. Realized how expensive Paris was. Spent hours on booking sites sorting by “free cancellation”. Bank statement part was funny – transferred extra money to my account before printing. Looks fancy now.
Insurance Puzzle
Searched “schengen insurance” online. Got million options. Chose the cheapest one covering €30,000 medical. Print button made me happy.
The Great Appointment Hunt
Went to visa center website ready to book. Holy crap. Earliest slot was 3 weeks away! Set alarm for 3AM to check cancellations. After four days of zombie mode, snagged a Tuesday morning slot. Felt like winning lottery.
D-Day at Visa Center
Showed up sweating bullets with my paper mountain. Security guard made jokes about needing a trolley. Lady at counter inspected every document like Sherlock. Then came fingerprinting – thought they’d take my soul too. Finally paid the fee feeling poorer.
Anxiety Wait
Checked tracking website five times daily. Started dreaming about rejection letters. On day 14 got an email saying “decision dispatched”. Nearly dropped my phone racing to center.
Sweet Victory
Clerk slid my passport back. Hands shaking opening it. Boom! That shiny sticker with my face looking like a serial killer! They gave me multiple entry for 30 days. Immediately planned ten burger stops across Belgium.
Final Thoughts
Took a month total. Paperwork sucks but triple-check every single detail. Make fake bookings – saved me big time. Start like three months early. Now my wallet hurts but that French countryside will taste so good!
