The World is My Oyster

Based on my Facebook post, Wanderlust, 29 March 2012.

It was in 2006 when I experienced total clinical burnout which started from chronic fatigue syndrome. Talk about life before wellness. I dedicated a huge chunk of my energy and time living in the fast lane – it wasn’t as fulfilling as it is today.

Since that disturbing clinical diagnosis, I’ve been living a happy life within the most responsible terms I could muster. I entered a fitness program, then I tried sports – I found out how much I enjoy running, badminton, and practically anything that could stimulate the adrenaline big time. I started to travel, not for work, but for wanderlust. Traveling is, indeed, liberating.

I travel to unwind, get fresh perspective, and educate myself: the food, sight, culture, people and their dialect. I made all sort of travels, either solo or with my favorite people.

1. Road trips with Charlaine, Lowell, and BFD

2. Solo trips, here and abroad

3. Vacation with family and friends

4. Out-of-town / out-of-the-country — all for the love of running and carbo-loading (runner eh!)

5. Traveling, and still not coming to terms with true love (yahoo!!!)

6. Nature trips, theme park escapades, cultural immersion (plus, good food and wine)

7. Shopping trips (retail therapy!)

8. For the arts (D’Orsay, Louvre, Versailles, Van Gogh…and Louis Vuitton?, etc.)

9. Adventure trips, including water sports – parasailing, helmet diving, hiking, snorkelling, rappelling, white river rafting, zip line, canopy bridge walk, and wakeboarding.

10. Quiet weekend / a li’l soul-searching (to accept or not to accept…nininu ninu)

More trips to enjoy and learn from, more adventures to conquer…the world is my oyster! =D

How high can you fly?
Parasailing with Charlaine

How deep can you dive?
Helmet diving with friends =)

When you feel like pushing your adrenaline level…
White river rafting with friends, Cagayan de Oro

How far can you run?
Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore

When no weather is too cold to go out and play…
Snow ball fight at Mt. Charleston

How far can you drive?
Bangui Windmill Farm – about 560km from Manila

When you feel that you’re never too old to enjoy Disneyland…
Fun time with my family =)

When you open yourself up to the city, and it begins to educate you…

What else do you want to learn?
Wine class at O Chateau Paris

Traveling…there’s just no stopping. =)

Paris Museum Series: Musee Du Louvre

Facade – Musee du Louvre and Pyramid (completed, 1989)
Photo by: C. Dirampaten

The Musee Du Louvre (myze dy luv) – in English, Louvre Museum or simply the Louvre – is one of the world’s largest museums, the most visited art museum in the world, and a historic monument.  A central landmark of Paris, France, it is located in the right bank of the Seine at the first arrondissement (district).  Nearly 35,000 objects from prehistory to the 19th century are exhibited over an area 60,600 square meters.  – http://en.wikipedia.org

At the Pyramid’s underground lobby (inaugurated in 1988), plus the imposing view of the Richelieu Wing.
Photo by: C. Dirampaten

It was during the French Revolution that a committee to ‘preserve the national memory’ was appointed – this paved the way to the opening of Louvre as a museum, 10 August 1793. 

Early perspective drawing of the Louvre Palace , Louvre Exhibit
Photo by: A. Sales

The current facade of the Grand Louvre and the Pyramid were completed in 1989, as part of a major renovation.  That renovation was earmarked as a high-ticket project under President Francois Mitterrand’s administration. 

In 2011, the Louvre, being host to 8.8 million guests, was ranked as the world’s most visited museum. 

In April 2012, I got the chance to visit the Louvre!  I was able to take some interesting photos, too! =)

Visitors are allowed to take photos and videos in the permanent collection halls.  However, flash or similar lighting device/equipment is prohibited.

A ‘meowth moment’ at the Denon
Denon Wing : Named after the first Louvre museum director, Dominique Vivant Denon – appointed by Napoleon I, 1801.

Musee du Louvre is divided into 8 curatorial departments:  Egyptian Antiquities; Near Eastern Antiquities; Greek, Etruscan, Roman; Islamic Art; Sculptures; Decorative Arts; Paintings; and Prints and Drawings.  – http://en.wikipedia.org.

Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is considered as the most celebrated art work at the Louvre.  It was thought to have been bought by Francis I sometime in 1546.  Now speaking of Da Vinci in the context of pop subculture, the Louvre has reported earnings of about 2.5M USD for allowing the movie, The Da Vinci Code (2006) to film at its galleries.

Meowth : Vis-a-vis avec Mona Lisa
The most important Italian Renaissance art work at the Louvre
Photo by: C. Dirampaten

Mona Lisa is displayed at the Denon Wing.  Opposite her portrait is one of Louvre’s finest religious paintings – The Marriage at Cana by Paolo Veronese (1528 – 1588).  He painted a crowd of over 130 figures, set in high-fashion 16th century Venice. 

Backdrop : Marriage at Cana

Two of my favorites are:  Venus de Milo – a marble sculpture from the Hellenistic Age (2nd century B.C.), which served as the epitome of Greek feminine beauty; and Nike of Samothrace (190 B. C.).  Both sculptures are displayed at the Denon Wing of the Louvre.

Hellenistic image turn classical art : Venus de Milo

Nike (Victory) was once erected at the prow of a ship which she would guide to victory. Found in Samothrace in 1863, arms and hands missing, Nike dates from about 190 B. C.

It’s now becoming obvious that I did spend a considerable amount of time at the Denon Wing.  The greater collections of Italian Renaissance paintings, including that of Raphael’s and Michael Angelo’s are housed in this section of the Louvre.

Portrait of Baldassarre Casteliogne – Raphael (1483 – 1520)
This canvass painting dates from around 1514-1515.
Photo by: A. Sales

David and Goliath – Daniele da Volterra (1509 – 1566)
Photo by: A. Sales

Italian painting, inspired by Catholicism
Photo by: A. Sales

The Richelieu Wing is home to Napoleon III Appartements exhibit.  The place has been restored to its equally splendour setting as it was during the time of Napoleon III and his wife Empress Eugenie (Second Empire).

Grand Salon

Grand Salon

State Dining Room

Other interesting photos, as captured by our lenses…

Ceiling adorned by paintings
Photo by: A. Sales

Springtime! Duck at the Pyramid pond, Grand Louvre
Photo by: C. Dirampaten

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When in Paris…

Musee du Louvre is conveniently accessible to the public via METRO – Palais Royal Musee du Louve Lines M1, M7;  Louvre – Rivoli M1

Official website:

http://www.louvre.fr/en

Paris Museum Series : Musee D’Orsay

Paris is host to over a hundred museums and monuments.  It may be viewed as impractical to cover even just a quarter of it in one week, unless you are willing to subject yourself to sensory overload.  =)

Paris offers a museum pass, which is available for sale in major METRO stations and museum entrances.  I bought a two-day pass for 39E.  A pass entitles the holder to a less-to-hassle-free entrance; shorter or no queue at all at dedicated entrances.  It also comes with a couple of freebies, and it sometimes goes on sale, too – thus, bigger discounts. To know more about Paris pass and museum pass, please follow this link:  http://parispass.com/how-it-works/paris-museum-pass.html

My ticket to a 2-day museum marathon.

I made a plan to cover only 4 museums:  Day 1 – Musee D’Orsay for Impressionism,  and Centre Georges Pompidou for Modern Art; Day 2 – Chateau De Versailles for history;   and that weekend, which I tagged as Day 3, ticket at 10E – Musee D’Louvre for the Italian-Catholic paintings, plus Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.  

My main objective, as stated in my Schengen cover letter, was to learn more about the development of Impressionism, and the best classical and neo-classical impressionists.  This prompted me to spend over half-a-day at Musee D’Orsay, and I could not be more satisfied with the learning. 

Day 1 – Museum #1 : Musee D’Orsay

It is a former rail station in the left bank of the Seine River, also utilized as a post office during World War II.  It was inaugurated to a museum in December 1986.  It houses the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces by celebrated artists – the likes of Claude Monet, Edoardo Manet, Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Vincent Van Gogh (my favorite). 

Website:  http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/

Getting there:  METRO 12 Solferino /  RER C Musee D’Orsay / Bus #24, 63, 68, 69, 73, 83, 84, 94 / Hop On Hop Off Bus / Hop On Hop Off BATOBUS (Seine River).   

The museum galleries have ample space to accomodate hundreds of people.  Cameras and camcorders are not allowed in exhibition halls; though it is not unusual to see some people just sitting on the floor, trying to come up with their rendition of masterpieces.  If you are not able to bring a sketchpad and pen, you can easily buy these materials from the museum shop. The museum also has a bookstore near the entrance/exit hall.  I bought my second book about Van Gogh for 10E, in anticipation for my visit to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

 

 Next stop:  Centre Georges Pompidou

Part II: Kuting in Paris – ‘Traveling Tourists’

Traveling – my life won’t be complete without it.  The intrigue of foreign travel lures me.  It is a chronic case of wanderlust.  What I love about traveling is soaking up the culture; fun and learning taking place at the same time, and in a place that used to be unfamiliar to the senses. 

As for our EU trip, Cashmer and I only got few weeks to prepare for it.  She would have to attend business meetings , so we had to be ‘more efficient’ in order for us to experience the best of the Parisian culture. 

There was no excuse for jet lag. On our very first day in Paris, we were fueled by a high-level of excitement.  Here are the ‘evidences’.  =)

Day 1 – Sunday, 7:30AM:  Cashmer and I met at Charles De Gaulle (CDG) International Airport in Paris.  She came from Singapore, where she is currently based.  I flew from Manila, then to HK – Paris in a CX flight.  (Manila to HK = 1.6hrs, HK to Paris = 13.2hrs).  From CDG, it took us about 30 minutes to get to the hotel via metered cab, 25KM, fare = 50Euros.  Radisson Blu would be our home for a few days.  It is strategically located along Boulevard Haussmann, a prime business center in Paris.

Bonjour Paris!
Expressway from CDG to downtown Paris

Radisson Blu, Blvd Haussmann
Home Away from Home

10AM – Off to Champs Elysees via METRO (Richelieu Drouot Station to Franklin D. Roosevelt).  A day-ticket, which is good for unlimited rides within 24hours, costs 9.75Euros.

Station: Richelieu Drouot
Giddy – first time to explore the METRO

Pomme de Pain – our first cafe along Champs Elysees.  The serving size is good for brunch.  A set meal costs about 7Euros.  I was never a fan of bread, but after enjoying a baguette at Pomme de Pain, that changed the way I look at bread.  I survived 10 days without rice for carbs, only bread.  Now, I love to eat croissants, pain au lait, and the deliciously chewy baguette with lotsa’ cheese (plus Sauvignon Blanc, if I get to eat baguette – late dinner at home).

Delicious and Nutritious: Baguette + Cheese and Deli + Strawberries + Coffee

Retail Therapy for BAGAHOLICS:  Cashmer and I visited Louis Vuitton, Champs Elysees.  We paid homage to the Maison, and paid for some precious arm candies, as well.  It was not about ‘weak constitution’ for me, but I did survive months of bag ban and that it was lifted a week before my birthday (LV bags were virtually singing ‘Happy Birthday, Ann’ in unison).  We also bought bring-home gifts for family and friends from L’Occitane.  The sales associates gave us a lot of freebies (a lot!), and they did ask about our very own Boracay.  Genuinely friendly AND English-speaking people in Paris are comparable to hard-to-find gems. 

In other areas of the city, retail shops are closed on Sundays.  The best district for shopping on a Sunday is Champs Elysees. 

Toilettes (twa-let) may not be viewed as necessity at the Champs district.  Only few shopping establishments have public toilettes.  One has to pay 20cents to 80cents just to be able to use the toilet. In restaurants / braserries, it is not unusual to see signage that reads – “toilettes are for customers only.”

Cash at Champs Elysees
We ‘paid homage’ to the Maison. =)

Bag ban is lifted…today! =)

Retail therapy was completed at around 3PM.  We headed back to the hotel to deposit our shopping finds.  It was a 15min-drive via cab, for 9Euros.  The cab driver was commenting about politics:  Hollande vs. Sarkozy.  That Sunday was the first round of the presidential election – an interesting time to be in France!  Our first political discussion, very engaging one, was with a cab driver. 

It was in the next few days that it became pronounced that majority of cab drivers in Paris speak good English; and they are generally friendly. 

From Boulevard Haussmann, it was an easy METRO ride going to Trocadero <– station of choice when visiting the Eiffel Tower.  From Trocadero, one has to walk about 10 minutes to reach the Eiffel Tower.  It was quite an effortless walk because we got to see the extent of the tower’s imposing and majestic view. 

Eiffel Tower from Trocadero

Our plan was to go on a Seine River cruise after sunset via Bateaux Parisien…but sunset in springtime is at 9:30PM!  From Eiffel, we went to Musee D’Louvre via METRO.  The time was enough for us to get a quick view of the museum.  We would go back to Louvre for a half-day tour in the weekend.  We had our first dinner in a braserrie outside the Louvre. (In all Parisian restaurants I tried, veggies are fresh and naturally sweet.  Average cost of a complete meal in braserries, 18Euros.)

Cashmer at Musee D’Louvre

Pyramid at Musee D’Louvre

Duck : lovin’ springtime at the Louvre

Dinner, 8PM – sun was still up as if it was only 3PM
Sunset in springtime: past 9PM

fast food deal : braserrie style

We were back at the Eiffel Tower a bit before sunset.  The boat stations for the Seine River cruise have ticket booths there.  A BATOBUS hop on hop off ticket costs 15Euros per person.  It is a 24-hour pass to 8 river stations:  Tour Eiffel, Musee D’Orsay, Saint Germain des Pres, Notre Dame, Jardin des Plantes, Hotel de Ville, Louvre, and Champs Elysees.  A night cruise is a way on how one can acquire a better understanding why Paris is called La Ville Lumiere or The City of Lights.  The highlight of that night cruise was the Illuminations of the Eiffel Tower – majestic, monumental, romantic! =)

9:30PM, Spring – Eiffel Tower

Seine River Night Cruise
BATOBUS hop on hop off

Notre Dame

The Latin Quarter – Paris’ University Belt

Pont Neuf (lit. New Bridge) – Paris’ oldest bridge; inaugurated in 1607 by Henry IV.

Bastions of Pont Neuf

Seine River Night Cruise – Eiffel Tower Illuminations

beyond words…

We were able to cover these places within a day.  We capped off Day 1 with a picture-taking session along Trocadero.  Temperature was about 3*C, which was literally shocking to the ribs.  We were back at the hotel a bit past midnight <- disclaimer: we are not related to Cinderella.  I had a little energy left to take photos of our room before I entered dreamland.

No jet lag, just a good night sleep. =)

 

 

Part I: Kuting in Paris – Lost in Translation

It was my first time to attend a multi cultural class outside my home continent (Asia).  It was not part of my itinerary, but since it was raining during my second day in Paris, I just wanted to stay indoors, but not in a museum.  So I decided to sign up for a wine class. 

Cashmer left early for her first of many business meetings, I mean, many. I had to muster all the courage to walk the ‘cold and unfamiliar’ streets of Paris by myself; just relying on – my memory of the map, limited French language, and a trained internal compass (the one that screams in the head – I’m lost!). 

Paris is not as crime-free as Singapore.  There are pick-pockets and muggers in Paris.  Majority of those elements have medium-to-heavy built; it would be difficult to use against them the skills I got from the Karate Kid, Kung Fu Panda, and Elorde – even if I combined the techniques from those three legends.  If I had to carry a map around the city and made it obvious, it was comparable to carrying an imaginary signboard, screaming: PREY.  Tsk, tsk, tsk.

Before things got too excited, I had to remember to wear four layers of clothing – thermal undershirt, thermal stockings, thick denim dress, wool cardigans, trench coat, scarf around my neck, and semi high-cut boots.  Imagine – Kuting (Kitten) in Paris.  I am a self-proclaimed Sun Kuting  (comparable to the Sun King of France), therefore, I don’t really thrive in cold climate.  I needed more calories to keep my temperature warm.  No human blanket available, so I just  enjoyed a hearty brunch at the Radisson Blu.  The French won’t surely like it when I’m hungry. (Thanks, Hulk.) 

 

It was a gloomy day in Paris when I stepped out of the hotel at 12NN.  The weather forecast was pretty accurate, with temperature at 8*C, drizzle, occasional winds that sent shiver to the bones.  I walked to the nearest Metro station, my hands in akimbo, and I was trying to act normal, I mean, unfriendly…pretending to be a ‘local’.  Here is the route I followed:

The Metro station is called Richelieu Drouot (Chartreuse colored line – light/soft lime green), my ‘home station’ for several days.  (Good thing, I bought a 3-day Metro ticket the other day at Champs Elysee.  Minor train stations do not always have days-worth of tickets to sell.)  4 stations from Richelieu Drouot is the Franklin D. Roosevelt station.  From Roosevelt, I transferred to the yellow line going to Louvre de Rivoli.  When I reached Rivoli, a brasserie caught my attention – so I had to walk in to try some authentic French cuisine, plus a bottle of Badoit (I got addicted to this sparkling water – it’s like Sprite minus the sugar). 

From Louvre, I had to take walk to O Chateau, which is located along Rue Jean Jacques Rousseau.  It was quite a walk, because the French people are so not inclined in giving directions, or they don’t speak English at all. 

Scenario 1:

Me:  Excuse me, Madame.  Bonjour! (Bon – shouwr :  Good day)  Do you know which way to…

Lady:  (cutting my sentence) Non Anglais…(meaning: no English)

Scenario 2:

Me:  Bonjour!  Do you know which way to O Chateau, Rue Jean Jacques Rousseau?

Guy:  C’est dix minutes a pyay…

Me:  Pardon (Par-don). Je ne comprends pas (Zher ner kom pron pa).  Parlez vous Anglais?  (Par-lay voo ong-glay).  (Translation:  Sorry. I don’t understand. Do you speak English?)

Guy:  Pardon.

Scenario 3:

Me:  Bonjour! Excusez-moi (eks-kyu-zay-mwa = excuse me).  Do you know which way to O Chateau, Rue Jean Jacques Rousseau?

Guy:  It’s near.  You just walk to the left (signaling to the right)…

Me:  Oh, so you, mean, left (using my hand to signal to the left)…

Guy:  Sorry…Yeah, it’s to the left..then…ah first, no, second street, turn left…you won’t miss it.

Me:  Merci!  (Thanks)

Guess what?  I followed his instructions and I got lost…I was trying to find my way to O Chateau in the next 15minutes.  The street signage were not so helpful, but I knew O Chateau is somewhere within that area…I sent a distress signal to Heaven:  Lord, please send me angels…sigh, sigh…The street was empty, and I was getting nervous, but I continued walking that led me to the next scenario…

Scenario 4:

Guy:  Miss, Filipina ka? 

Me:  Oo, Filipina nga ako. Nawawala ata ako.  (Yes, I’m Filipina. I think I’m lost.)

Lady 1:  San ka ba pupunta? (Where are you going?)

I showed them the address.

Lady 2:  Sa kabila lang ito.  (Next street from here).

Guy:  Tawid tayo. Tapos, unang kanto kaliwa, kita na O Chateau.  (Let’s cross the street.  Then, first street turn left, you’ll see O Chateau). 

Me:  Thank you.  It was an answered prayer.  I was starting to get scared already, then you people saw me.  Hay… 

Prayer granted.

I was at O Chateau 15 minutes before the class started. I was the only Filipina enrolled in the class for that day.  Most of my classmates came in late because they also got lost.  It was an informative and enjoyable class that warrants another blog entry.  =)

Is it impossible to fight graft and corruption?

The natural tendency of a private citizen-taxpayer is to hate everything that is corrupt, from red tape to malversations of public fund; or simply put, blatant corruption in government offices/agencies.

In a speech delivered by President Noy during the recently concluded ADB Summit, he emphasized that corruption, which flourished under GMA’s regime, is over.  The positive macro-economic indicators, which are manifesting in the last 22 months are fruits of good governance.  Many threw negative criticisms after a copy of the same (speech) was published in a popular broadsheet last week.

I am one who is fully supportive of good governance, but sadly, there is still corruption. It will continue – as long as we tolerate it.  Expressing harsh criticisms is one thing, but supporting an act of corruption is another. 

I experienced one of the blatant forms of graft and corruption when I arrived at NAIA Terminal 1 last week.  It was my worst day in an airport – and it happened right here, on Philippine soil. 

I arrived from Paris via CX.  I was carrying a two-piece luggage.  The customs official asked whether it is true that LV bags are cheaper in Paris.  I did not comment.  The official, became officials <– ‘s’, in plural form.  They held my passport and asked me to open my luggage.  They saw 3 LV bags neatly arranged, and they asked me whether I would pay the tax.  They saw several Longchamp bags, but they did not mind; all eyes were on the LV bags.  There was an opportunity to bribe, but I told them to compute for the tax, instead.  They asked me a couple of questions about the bags.  I bought 2 of those 3 bags for friends.  I couldn’t let them confiscate the bags.

I did not have enough peso bills in my wallet.  So they held my passport + luggage, and an officer escorted me to the nearest ATM booth.  He was asking why I look so sad – 20 hours in transit + 5-digit tax to pay.  I told him bluntly, ‘pakiramdam ko na-hold up ako’ (I felt like being mugged).  I was worried about the bags, and what people could possibly insert into those bags.  With all the ‘drug frame-up stories’ I heard, at that instance, I was paranoid.  I even forgot to call up my lawyer.  I can be feisty, or bitchy, but at that point, I was being extra-mindful of my words and actions.

I paid the tax.  They issued me an Official Receipt (OR) for the payment.  Some people were telling me, I should have ‘given’ the officials 100USD / 100EUROS, instead.  I had USD notes that time (but no more Peso and Euros), but still, I won’t tolerate corruption. Period.

I did not feel bad about paying taxes; but what I totally resent is how the officials handled the situation.  I was held like a big-time ‘tax evader’, because I was a solo traveler who came home from Europe.  They asked me about the trip as I was just out there burning Euros.  I felt harassed, like being held up by a mob.  They were talking about LV as if it was the biggest luxury item in town…pardon me for the tone of these comments, I’m simply invoking the Bill of Rights. 

After I got the OR, I thought the ordeal was over.  As I was walking towards the exit door, I was interrupted by another customs official, who was holding a telecom radio.  He confirmed whether I was the one carrying 3 LV bags in my luggage.  He wanted to see the bags…I was appalled.  “How many times do you need to open my luggage???  Can’t you see??? I have an OR already! I paid the tax!  What else do you want from me?!”  He muttered, “I’m just asking.”  I really felt mugged.  

If this ‘bribe-or-tip-situation’ is the norm at our international air(port) terminals, then how could we ‘BS’ (ah, help?) the Bureau of Customs to put their act together when we, ourselves, are supporting graft and corruption?  I don’t get it. 

Another lesson learned:  On my way home,  I called up my lawyer.  She told me, those customs officials were not supposed to search my luggage.  Should they inspect my luggage, it has to be in plain view only; no thorough searching, unless, I’m a perceived threat to national security.   

The fight for corruption is not only for the government to take up.  It is a gargantuan task to flush out cancer, that is corruption.  Do we need to bribe traffic enforcers?  Do we really need to go through fixers when transacting with government agencies?  Is it required to give at least 2USD to airport officials as tip, or what they call ‘pang-kape lang po , sir/ma’am’? (Try NAIA Terminal 2, inbound flights from the US). Would you ever attempt to beat the traffic red light if you are in a progressive country?  Would you ever break the 70-75mph speed limit in a US freeway?  We know the correct answer, for sure. 

Sigh, sigh…

Schengen Visa Application: The Interview

VISA Appointment:  March 29, 2012,  8AM – French Embassy, 16F Pacific Star Bldg, Makati Ave cor Buendia Ave, Makati City

What you’re about the read is a first-hand info.  Though questions may vary per applicant, I’m sharing this to give you an idea on the types of question to expect.  In any tourist visa application interview, a consular office probably has these primary objectives:  to assess whether an applicant or his/her sponsor is financially capable to spend for the trip; and to ascertain the applicant’s return to home country (in simple words, hindi mag TNT).

It was one of those days when driving in Makati CBD was a breeze.  I arrived at Pacific Star a bit before 7:30AM, and I got a parking slot along the narrow street between the old Equitable Bldg. (now BDO), and Pacific Star – and the space was right across the building.  Positive vibe! =)

Pacific Star’s guest registration is at Basement 1, and it opens at 7:50AM.

At exactly 8AM, I was at the Embassy, and the guard was calling out names of applicants.  The guard gave me a stub.  I was Applicant #1 for that day.

Next step…

1.  Reception Area.  I was asked to leave my mobile phones at the front desk, and in exchange, a claim stub was given to me.  I was advised by the security officer to double-check my documents as I wait for my name to be called for the first interview.  (Interview is in two-fold).

2.  The first interviewer – a polite French officer.

He asked for my cover letter, passport, flight and hotel vouchers.  I handed the documents to him. He began skimming, and spent extra seconds examining my valid US visa (attached to 1 of my 2 passports).

Officer:  How long do you intend to stay in France, Ms. Sales?  Only in France?

Me:  10 days maximum, may be I’ll go on a site trip to Brussels and Amsterdam.

Officer:  Okay.  Please prepare the payment.  60Euros, that’s P3,430.00 in Philippine Peso. Exact amount, please.

I handed him the payment, and he issued a receipt, with text in French.

Officer:  Thank you for the payment, Ms. Sales.  (He gave me back the documents.) Now, you need to go back to your seat.  The second interviewer will call you and will ask for all the documents, so you need to take them out of that folder.  Have a nice day!

I said ‘thank you’, as courtesy.  I went back to my seat, and I prepared the documents as advised.  In about 3 minutes, I was called to another booth for a second interview.

3.  The second interviewer – a no-nonsense, fierce-looking Filipina.  Rumor has it that Filipino employees of the Embassy are not that friendly.  Somehow, there’s truth to that rumor, as I could hear some applicants getting yelled at because of incomplete documents. Most of the applicants would get rattled, instead of getting the feeling that they were being assisted. 

The officer asked for all the documents.  Then she quickly checked each document – starting from the cover letter.  She took my biometrics and photo.  She informed me that the documents would go to their file, and she asked whether I would need photocopies.  I did not bother because I obtained the documents specifically for this visa application (banks, company HR do indicate the purpose in the certificates), and I scanned the docs for my personal electronic backup (paperless!).  She checked again my bank account statements, passports – carefully examined the details of my past visas, especially the valid US visa. 

Officer:  Do you work in HK or in SG?

Me:  No. I’m just a frequent visitor.

Officer:  (She suddenly became friendly, when she saw my Certificate of Employment) Oh, so you work for SM?

Me: Yes, for almost seven years now.

Officer:  (Stamped my receipt) 5-working days for the visa.  It is Holy Week already, long holidays, you may claim your visa on April 10, 11AM. You may send a representative, with authorization letter.  Here’s your passport.  Kindly check again the details in the receipt.

Me:  All correct.  Thank you.

At 8:20AM, I completed the interview process.  It was quick and painless.  I was also able to claim my visa, as scheduled.  =)

Hello is Haluou??? – Appointment for the visa app interview

January 2012 – I wasn’t sure what to do with my career this Year of the Dragon.  (Do I have a career, in the first place?)  I was desperate for a long break, a  w  a  y  (awaaaaay, awaaaaaaaay, awaaaaaaaay)  from it all. If not, then there’s no telling what could have happened – ah…tattoo???

Feb 8 – I dialed my soul sister Cashmer’s number.  She is currently based in Singapore.  I told her that I need to visit her again for some serious soul searching.  She invited me to go with her to Paris, instead.  I didn’t sleep well that night.  I always wanted to go to Paris, but I never had a timeline for it.

Feb 9 – I sent a note to Cashmer.  Bonjour! We’re going to Paris.  Ang dali ko kausap!  =)

Feb 13 – I dialed the French Embassy hotline.  I wasn’t surprised that a guy with a thick nasal accent would pick up the phone, and greet me with ‘Bonjour! (Bon shouw!).  I read in some travel web fora that the Filipinos who are working in the French Embassy have this kind of ‘air‘ – as if they are superior beings, and they do speak English with a French accent.  I was prepared to engage at that ‘level of conversation’ . I simply stated what I needed in straight, firm words – English, without the slightest attempt to sound French.

Though, I had one ‘laglag-panga’ (jaw-dropping) moment, when towards the end of our conversation, the guy suddenly spoke in plain Tagalog.  All the while I thought I was talking to a mean French guy (na medyo ‘gwapo’ man lang sa isip ko, yun na nga lang, eh!).

Me:  Is your calendar still open for an appointment either on March 13 or 14?  I plan to leave on April 21.

Officer :  (akala ko French, tapos bigla nag-Tagalog, at parang may kaaway lang) Ay wala na!  5 days lang naman ang visa.  Sa March 29 kita ilalagay. 8AM! (at binababa ang telepono ng walang ni ha, ni ho).

It was enough for me to say that by the way he responded, he is not our best role model for customer service.  I didn’t waste time trying to make myself angry with the level of service I got (wala ako panahon galitin ang sarili ko).  Just to be in the safe side, I opted to send a short email to the Embassy to confirm the schedule, and in 2 hours, they sent me a very straight-forward message:  “Confirmed.”  (Prompt and in plain English.)

Starting April 10, 2012, requests for visa appointment must be coursed through their hotlines.  Though, there’s a tradeoff in terms of cost.  With the high call rates, which is close to the current Peso-to-Euro exchange rate, I’m under the impression that the service would have improved this time around.  The numbers to dial, plus the call rates are posted in my previous blog entry.  Here’s the link:    https://meowthmoments.wordpress.com/2012/04/11/schengen-visa-application-for-pinoy-tourists/

I initially requested for the interview be conducted on March 13 or 14, but the earliest schedule given was March 29.  The volume of visa application has probably gone up.  Take note of the period of application, as well – tourism activity in Europe peaks during spring and summer seasons.  To avoid unnecessary stress, it is advisable for you to set an appointment, at least 3 months before your planned date of entry. The buffer could give you enough time to prepare the required documents – it’s a tedious process, especially for busy folks.  Complete and consistent supporting documents could mean a ‘quick and painless’ interview.

C’est tout pour aujourd’hui!  (Tha’ts all for now!)  =)

Schengen Visa Application for Pinoy Tourists

Howdy! Starting January 1, 2013, I’m moving my blog to http://meowthlovescoffee.blogspot.com .  I’ve reposted this article (with updated web links) in my new blog called ‘Meowth!’ 

Should you feel inclined to follow my blog for its informative or entertainment value, please feel free click on this link –  http://meowthlovescoffee.blogspot.com

New Year! New life! New home for my blog!  =)  

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Traveling or even the prospect of travel could cost you some good nights’ worth of sleep; especially when it is about traveling to a territory, which requires you to obtain a visa prior to a formal entry .  If you are a Pinoy traveler with a Philippine-issued passport, then you’re in for a lot of pre-travel ‘adventures’ just working on the VISA alone.

I applied for several VISAs in the past, and fortunately, I never got rejected in any of those applications.  Each application process required effort.  I just feel inclined to share with you, the step-by-step process in applying for a Schengen Visa.  This Visa is valid in 25 territories, covered by the Schengen Agreement: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. 

1.  When to apply – at least 90 days before your planned entry to a Schengen territory.

2.  Where to file – for multiple destinations, file your visa application to the Consulate of your main destination, or where length of stay is the longest.  If length of stay is almost equal, then file application to the Consulate of the first country in your itinerary. 

3.  Set an appointment with the Consulate / Embassy.  Be ready with the following info:  applicants name, email address and contact number, purpose of travel, preferred travel dates and length of stay, and preferred schedule of interview. 

I applied through the French Embassy – I made an appointment through their visa hotline.  Starting April 10, 2012, applicants may reach the Embassy through its call center hotlines: for PLDT/Smart/Touchcard Subscribers 1 (909) 101- 3333;
for Globe/Innove/Touchmobile Subscribers 1 (900) 101- 3333; and for Bayantel Subscribers 1 (903) 101- 3333.  Calls are accepted Mondays through Saturdays, from 8AM – 6PM.  Call charge is Php 32.00 per minute, excluding VAT and applicable NDD charges for calls made outside Metro Manila.  These hotlines are intended for calls made within the Philippines.

The French Embassy conducts interview for Visa applicants, Monday – Friday, 8AM -12NN.   

4.  Prepare your application form and supporting documents.  Please do take note of the turn-around time when requesting for certain documents.  Here is the list of the required documents:

*  Application form  – Formulaire_SCH_eng  – you need to fill this up and attach (paste) a 45mm x 35mm ID picture / white background / no face cover / no headgear / no eyeglasses / no frowning / ‘Mona Lisa’ smile only.  Clip (paper clip) another copy of the ID photo to the application form. 

*  Cover letter explaining the purpose of travel and itinerary – I’m posting a copy of my cover letter, for your reference.  – Schengen Visa Cover Letter.

*  Itinerary – flight reservation (you do not have to buy tickets yet, just contact a travel agent to provide you with a travel voucher free of charge / you may also try http://www.klm.com for free reservation – they could hold the ticket for you for a certain number of days); hotel voucher (you may book through http://www.agoda.com, a good number of hotels allow for free cancellation; and if you’re an HSBC card holder, that’s less 5% for every booking made via Agoda –  you need to start browsing from the HSBC website – travel promos, and then follow the link to Agoda website.). 

*  Travel insurance – a minimum insurance of EURO 30,000, cashless settlement, with toll-free hotline, coverage valid in 25 Schengen territories.  For a list of Schengen-accredited insurance providers, you may click on this document – assurances_contacts_site_internet-2.  You may also apply online.  I applied through http://www.bluecross.com.ph.  A Schengen package costs about Php 2,500.00.  If you plan to buy a policy from BPI MS, a coverage costs around Php 4,000.00. 

*  Financial documents / proof income – (1) latest bank certification, (2) bank account statement indicating transactions/balance in the last three months – You have to request for these documents preferably from your branch of account.  The bank will require you to fill up and sign a request form, and you have to indicate that the certificate is for your Schengen Visa application.  At BPI, they could release the certification in an hour or less – for accounts, which you opened online (example: BPI Direct and BPI Trade – the lead time is about 3 – 5 banking days.  You may include your Mutual Fund / Equity Fund Statements, if available.  (3) latest Income Tax Return (ITR).

*  Proof of employment – (1) Certificate of Employment, indicating tenure / position title / annual compensation;  (2)  approved leave of absence (I just photocopied my approved VL, as signed by my boss, using our company VL form);  (3)  For self-employed, official business registration for current and previous years. 

*  Identity – (1) Passport, valid for at least 6 months from the planned date of entry; (2) photocopy of the first page of passport and all travel visas issued to you; (3)  NSO-authenticated birth certificate – a hassle-free request may be facilitated online via  http://nso.citizenservices.com.ph/; lead time is 3 – 4 days;  (4) if married, bring a photocopy of marriage contract.

*  Non-refundable visa application fee, cash basis to be settled in Philippine Peso only –  Short stay visa (30 – 90 days),  EURO 60.00 (or about Php 3,430, prevailing FOREX rate);  Long stay visa (over 90 days), EURO 99.00.  Bring smaller bills and coins (P5.00 / P1.00).  The French Embassy in Manila accepts exact amount only. 

5.  Interview – for applications lodged through the French Embassy, interviews are conducted at their office – 16F Pacific Star Building, Buendia cor. Makati Avenue, Makati City.  Please be prompt.  If your interview is scheduled at 8AM, Pacific Star’s guest registration at Basement 1 opens at 7:50AM.  You need to register first with the Admin at Basement 1, before you could go up to the Embassy located at the 16th Floor. 

Note:  Most of the time, the French Embassy approves/denies application on the spot.  For approved applications, the average Visa issuance lead time is 5 working-days.  The interviewer will tell you when to claim your Visa.  The Embassy may or may not require you to leave your passport while you wait for the Visa.

For other Visa-related matters, you may visit the French Embassy website Visa section:  http://www.ambafrance-ph.org/Visas,1261

I hope you find this informative. Don’t get overwhelmed with the requirements.  Go through the steps, as if you are in a travel drill of some sort.  Patience is a virtue. 

In my next blog entry, I intend to write about my experience during the actual interview at the French Embassy.  =)

Narrative by a not-so-drunken woman

Beautiful Friday night and my eyes were smiling as I skimmed the liquor list of Astoria.  I was giddy as a teenager, so excited to order her first shot.  Oh, how I wish I was in Vicar St., Dublin, Ireland(think, the Script).  Instead, I was in a place somewhere between the heavens and the deep blue sea…in a paradise known to many as Boracay.

A friend once told me about Boracay as the best place to get drunk.  I could not wait to get into the plane, off to the island to get myself a good alcohol fix.  No need to drive home for the one of the hippest bars at Station 1 is located at Astoria’s beach front (yes!!!). I was not into booze for ages, and may be I need a few shots and some cover songs to finally seal another chapter in my breakup diary.  I was a-okay, but living healthy and somewhat sane also requires ample justification before splurging on Tequila and Vodka.

Mental notes:

1.  Just like a lovely, drunken heroine in a romantic comedy movie (ehem, blog ko ‘to okay), I tried to dig for some deep-seated emotions that made me purposely break my heart a little, or may be cracked it a little bit.  It was weird to go through a heart-breaking experience without having to cry…not yabang though, it is just weird for I used to be a cry baby.  Back in Manila, I tried making myself cry while driving (for months!), it did not work…I tried to cry myself to sleep, but the floods of dopamine won’t let me…until the  healing process was completed.  I tried to cry in solitude, concealed by the sacred walls of my sanctuary.  It did not work, too.  Weird ba ko or tough?
2. I was trying to internalize the drama in the music video “Nothing” by the Script – the drinking version.  There’s no way I can match the drama in that video…I so love the song + video pa naman.  Screw all the tears!  It won’t come out whatever I do.  Again…weird ba ko or matigas na ko ngayon or maturity na tawag dito?
3. I was on Tequila glass #5, and I can still think clearly.  I was waiting for my hands to get a little numb, but it was not happening…so I drank some more.  Love it!  =)  Ian scored some funky, groovy music, and people started to rock the dance floor…and I was one with the beautiful crowd.  There was no reckless abandon that happened.  For one, I had my good friend Charlaine to watch over me…and besides, I tried to drink as many, but the alcohol can’t get the better of me.  Ganito na ba ko naging ‘addict sa life’ pati alcohol hindi na tumama?  Hindi na nga ako iyakin, hindi pa din ako malasing…growing up ba ang tawag dito, or weird lang talaga ako, o baka sobrang dense?
4. I met some interesting people, too.  The golden ‘girls’ of Norway sure know how to party. Sabi nga naming ni Charlaine, we could see our future selves right in front of us.  I stopped asking myself why I was not crying or moved to tears…nag-enjoy na lang ako…hehehe…life is short.  =)  It was good to feel some effects of the alcohol and at the same time, I was still in control of myself – all clean fun…perfect concoction – people, music, ambiance, and the ever hot-hot Tequila.

astoria at night. i fell in love with the place.

Morning after, hotel phone was ringing and it was a call from a guy I met at the bar.  Sadly, he is not Irish…sobrang malayo kay Danny O’Donoghue of  The Script. I even recited the caller’s   and his friends’ names and their ‘pamatay’ na lines in sequence, just to prove that I was not drunk the night before.  O kita mo na, pare, sabi sa’yo at 2AM, hindi pa din ako lasing. Suko ata sila, at 2AM bumabangka pa kami ni Charlaine sa kwento.

I intended to drink again that Saturday night…but while the Saturday morning sun was up, Charlaine and I joined the bee-line to what would be an adventure in paradise – Parasailing!  =)

Now, here’s the video of the song, which I can’t seem to get enough of.