Alright folks, grab a coffee, this one’s a bit of a journey. So yeah, last Tuesday, I finally tackled that big Europe road trip dream, you know? The very first brick wall? Getting that dang Schengen Visa. Paperwork hell.
Started With Pure Panic
Jumped online, obviously. First search hit me with like, 40 different documents needed. My head spun. Which embassy? France? Germany? Totally forgot it depends on where you spend most nights! Spent a whole evening just figuring out I needed to apply through Spain ’cause our first 5 days are in Barcelona. Classic mess-up already.
The Scavenger Hunt Begins
Then the real fun started. Needed:
- Flight reservations: Spent ages finding dummy tickets that wouldn’t cost me real money upfront. Nervous clicking, let me tell you.
- Hotel bookings: Booked refundable ones through this big travel site. Printed confirmations till the ink nearly ran out.
- Bank statements: Three whole months worth. Went to my local bank branch, stood in line forever. The teller printed it, stamped it like it was gold. Felt weirdly official.
- Proof I’d come back: Dug out my dusty employment contract, got a letter from my boss basically saying “Yeah, he has a job here, he’ll be back.” Felt like begging for permission.
- Travel insurance: Bought the cheapest one covering exactly €30,000. Hope I never need it.
Felt like carrying my entire life in a plastic folder. Printed photos too? Seriously! Had to cut my head out of some vacation pic, stick it on a white background. Glued my fingers together twice.
The Appointment Tango
Signed up on the visa application center website. The calendar looked emptier than my fridge before payday. Spent a whole morning hitting refresh. Snagged a slot 3 weeks out at some ungodly early time. Set like 5 alarms, terrified I’d sleep through it.
D-Day Arrived
Got there stupid early. Place was already packed. Stood in one line to get a number. Sat down till my number screamed over the speaker. Walked to window 7. Lady behind the glass barely looked up. Slammed my massive folder down.
She leafed through everything, slow as molasses. Fingerprinted me – ink all over my thumbs. Took my passport. Said “Pay the fee now.” Forked over 80 bucks. Got a receipt. “You’ll get an email.” That was it. Walked out feeling like I just surrendered my firstborn child.
The Agonizing Wait
Checked my email every darn hour. Jumped every time my phone buzzed. Took TWO WHOLE WEEKS! Felt longer than waiting for my high school crush to call. Then, finally! “Passport ready for collection.” Sprint-walked back to the center.
The Moment of Truth
Grabbed my passport. Flipped straight to the visa page. Big ol’ sticker! 90 whole days! Did a tiny victory shuffle right there in the collection line. Felt like winning the world’s lamest lottery.
So yeah, that was my epic Schengen saga. Was it painful? Oh heck yes. Messy? Absolutely. Paper cuts? You bet. But now? Hitting the road in two weeks! Just gotta remember to drive on the… right side?
