Jeddah to Europe - Visa application process

What is the first thing you do after booking your tickets to go on a long vacation of 16 days? 

Scream!!!

Ok, yeah, what do you after screaming? 

In my case, the day we decided about taking this long vacation, I started planning. Of course, when you are going on a long vacation that to if it's an exotic location like Europe that too during summer peak time, you gotta be really concerned about expenses. Everybody says, book in advance but if your husband is in a consulting, travelling firm then things are never hundred percent sure. Funny part is people suggested us to book six months in advance and we didn't even book six weeks in advance!!! We ended up booking our local travel and stay just ten days early (yeah, we just finished it on 10th and we are leaving on this 20th).

Source

When you are already living in a foreign country, every system and procedure is new. We were kind of lost during the visa application. In spite of doing a lot of research on this area, we were sent back not once but twice at the Etimad center. 

Here are few information you need to know about applying for Europe visa from Jeddah -

1. Check this Etimad website for all the documents required and visa fees http://www.aletimad.com/italy_jeddah_document.html 

2. Especially for expats, you need a letter from your sponsor (more like a no objection letter)

"Original employment letter with chamber stamp address to Italian consulate Jeddah. Employment letter should furnish the details of Name, Nationality, passport number, salary, Designation, Joining Date and Purpose of travel of the applicant. Employment letter should also have a visa request"

This is what is mentioned on the Etimad website, and we actually took the original employment letter with us the first time. Hence, we were sent back to get a no objection letter. But yes, even that letter needs to have chamber stamp!!! 

You can follow this format if you like, 

To,

The Honorable Consul General,

Italian Consulate,

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

We would like to inform you that our staff with details as below,

NAME
PASSPORT NO.
IQAMA NO.
NATIONALITY
DESIGNATION
EMPLOYMENT START DATE
MONTHLY SALARY (SR)

desires to visit your country on vacation from _________ till _________in Italy (mention the country to which you are visiting first or spending more days in).

We do not have any objection.

We request you to kindly issue the necessary VISA for his travel.

Thanking you

Regards

Chairman

3. If you have recently moved to Jeddah, then you can't travel to Europe as you need minimum six months’ salary slip or bank account statement. This was one more reason why our visa application was not accepted the first time as we had four months bank statement of KSA and two months of India's bank statement. 

At Etimad, they are very particular about every single document and so, follow the guidelines properly or be ready to accept a rejection!!!

We applied for our visa on Monday and we got our visa on next Sunday, in one week's time. Entire visa application process to Italy costs about 350 riyals per person!!!

Just near the entrance of Etimad building, there is another visa application center called Vega. They charge 50 riyals extra per head and take about 15 days for visa approval. But, if you are not getting through Etimad, then you can always try out this option. 

If you have recently shifted your house or moved from a different place in KSA to Jeddah then have a copy of your house rental agreement in ENGLISH. They are very specific about it being in English!!!

The entire process easily took us two months (including the time needed to prepare an employment letter and to get the stamp of chamber of commerce) and at the end, we were literally praying to get our visas as we had already booked our flights out of excitement and to get a better deal on money. 

Finally, all is well that ends well. After all the struggle and running around we got our visas done!!!! And the last two weeks have been crazy as we were finalizing on the plan, booking trains, hotels and trying to look for the best deals to save money!!!

I will keep you guys updated about my longest and most happening trip of my life (hopefully, it will help you all to plan yours)

See ya till then!!!

Most annoying questions!!!!

In my childhood, after the death of my mother people often asked me, "Don't you remember your mother?", and I had no clue how I was supposed to answer them. The more they asked me this question, the more aloof I became. I just wanted the years to pass, so they won't ask me this question. But now I know, years may pass, but society's questioning attitude will never change. The moment I was 22 years old, the world surrounding me quickly adapted a new approach to deal with me. The people who often enquired about my mother's memories, education, marks and future aspirations suddenly had a different set of questions.They weren't interested in my marks or my ambitions, they didn't appreciate my high spirit or approach to life, they didn't even observe what kind of a person I had grown in to. After I crossed that milestone of 22, and since then, people have asked me very weird and offensive questions. They are undoubtedly very annoying and humiliating and that's why I thought of writing all of them together and posting it here. So, the next time if somebody asks me any of these questions, I will share the link to this post!!!!

1. It all started with "when are you getting married?".

The sooner you finish your studies, the sooner you get this obvious question. In my case, as I wanted to pursue my higher studies, my parents discarded the idea of marriage and somehow shut the mouth of this I-am-interested-in-your-business society. 

But once again, they started pelting these questions at us the moment I finished my post graduation. My parents convinced everyone that it is my dream to work after studies. Hence, I once again got a time window of two years. But after two years, everyone including my parents started pressurizing me for marriage.

Submitting to their demands and also, to avoid the questions I got married thinking the "Kaun Banega crorepati" series would end. Sadly, it didn't!!!

2. After marriage due to visa issues, I was stuck in India for a long time. I kept shuttling between my parent's house and my in law's house. So, whenever I would go to my parent's house people would assume not all is well in my nest. They would ask indirect questions, trying hard to make sense out of it.

"So, why are you not going to saudi?"

"How long it will take?"

"But my friend got the visa in just two months. Why are they delaying yours?" - Dude, Saudi embassy in India just want to make my life miserable, that's why!!!

and the most ridiculous of all - "How come your husband is able to travel leaving you behind in your parent's house?"

My inner soul (with lips sealed) kept on screaming loud, "It's my life. So, don't poke your filthy nose into it".

3. The same people, once who were least bothered about my career, job and aspirations, got suddenly interested in my professional life. Due to circumstances, I couldn't work after marriage and even after moving to Saudi, I am unable to get in to a job. Hence, I have to face one more set of firing bullets with a pinch of "unnecessary gyan" and sarcasm.

"Why are you not working in Jeddah? I have heard there is quite a demand for speech therapists in Saudi" 

"Why did your dad spend so much on your studies? So that you can sit at home?"

"Oh, your husband must be earning well then!!!!!"

"Why don't you try some other job?"

People should first of all stop interfering in others' lives and it's high time they realize I am a smart, educated, sensible woman. I won't simply sit at home doing nothing if I had any other preferable option. 

4. It's just been four months since I shifted to Saudi Arabia and people are already asking me when am I travelling back to India!!!

I understand the concern of family members who genuinely miss us. But that's not all, there are many other people who keep asking me and even my parents when I am planning to shift back to India. 

They even make statements like,

"It is Saudi Arabia. Don't stay there for long. You don't know how that country is!!!" - I wonder how do they have so much knowledge about this country sitting in India, having never travelled abroad.

"People who stay outside India tend to never come back." - Firstly, there are many people who come back and secondly, you don't know me and most importantly, why do you care?

"You are the only child. If you stay away who will look after your parents?" (with a sarcastic pitch) - I love my parents and I also know my responsibilities. Plus, if you care for my parents so much, why don't you take them to your house?

5. Ah, this is my favourite part. My entire family circle and people surrounding them are constantly peeking inside my uterus now. First you get married, then have your first child and after that second child. By any chance if you break this cycle or delay, then people will start asking questions. 

"Do you at least have the desire of becoming a mother?"

"If it's not now, then when?"

"What are your plans? Any good news?"

"What do you mean by right time? There is nothing like that!!!"

"You know you are becoming old right?"

So, basically there is nothing called "purely personal matter". Everybody wants to know everything and suggest like they have the ultimate knowledge. 

Come on people, it is high time you stop asking questions and let people be. I understand why parents ask these questions but why the whole society (in fact they are least bothered about my happiness) wants to know about my life? I don't know if they get any kind of pleasure by doing so. But spare me!!!

I am sure you all must have gone through something similar. Let me know what questions irritate you the most.

*** All the images are downloaded from different sources via google. 

Two ends!!!

In India, there is a vast gap between how hospitals work and how corporate offices function. Having worked in hospitals for almost three years, I have realized the fundamental difference between a corporate employee and a hospital staff. Here goes my list of factors which explains how our lives are entirely different.

1. In corporate offices, especially the one with foreign joint ventures, dressing up neatly is a must. That doesn't imply hospital staffs don't dress up well, but their dressing is far more simple as they know nobody is going to judge them by their clothes. As far as employees in corporate offices are considered, the way how they are dressed and how they present themselves becomes the crucial factor in building up their first impression. Even a wrinkle on their shirt spoils their mood, whereas, people in hospital don't care much about all these things. I have come across doctors wearing simple cotton shirts with chappals to hospitals.

2. The extravagant buildings and plush offices are the second home to these corporate employees, on the other hand, most people working in hospitals in India just hope to get a clean toilet in their working place. The added benefits like air conditioning, unlimited internet, laptops are like a dream for people working in hospitals. There have been instances when we have asked for these benefits with the management just to get a shady "no" as if we have no use of them!!!

3. People often believe hospitals are the cleanest place, but that's not true. It is an abode to many viruses and bacteria and literally, we have to take extra measures to keep ourselves safe. Maybe because of this, we are either too worried about health or too casual about it. I take cetirizine even if I sneeze once, whereas, I have come across doctors who treat rabies patients without being too cautious. Look at the luck of people working in corporate offices, they are always in a disease free environment, unless some virus secretly invades their plush office through an electronic door by hiding inside some employee. 

4. Corporate employees normally get free coffee and at places, they even get free food. Look at the plight of people working in hospitals, they have to walk all the way till cafeteria (which is normally in the basement or some remote corner) and drink that not-so-hot coffee amid patients who are continuously coughing or their relatives who are crying non stop. Adding on, the coffee normally sucks!!!!

5. The people working in corporate offices are not only living away from diseases, but also, the pain. Their life wanders around fancy buildings, stylish clothes, frequent vacations, fun filled co-workers, lots of laughter and joy. But the life inside a hospital is totally different. We are feeling everybody's pain and seeing their uncontrollable tears. We are unable to laugh at a joke thinking about the situation of a patient. We are unable to wear stylish clothes when we are submerged in a patient's misery. We are unable to be happy when we see sadness around us every day. 

I am not denying that people working in corporate offices have a lot more work pressure and are always forced to perform better to save their jobs. I am not denying the fact that corporate employees don't have a personal life as they are always thinking about work opening an excel file. The best part about working in a hospital is that we have the luxury to switch off and detach from work once we are home unlike corporate employees except some research or study. 

This post is mainly written to highlight why people working in hospitals behave in a certain way. Why it doesn't matter to them how they dress up, why they take more medicines and always worried about health, why they don't look away at the pain of others, why their evenings are dull!!! The place where we work is completely different. The kind of life we live is very close to reality. We are exposed to pain, death, suffering far more than any population. Hence, we are different. 

PS: This post is inspired from real life incidents as my husband and friends work in corporate offices and they don't seem to understand why I am like this!!!!  I am not saying this is the ultimate truth; this is just based on my observations. Agree or disagree!!!!

Abaya exploration

When we decided to shift to Saudi Arabia, the first thing my husband was concerned about me having to wear an abaya (burkha). Though I had no qualms about wearing one, certain degree of disappointment was lingering around. The disappointment slowly turned in to frustration when I realized I can't show off my fancy clothes in fancy restaurants. However, I had to gulp this fact hard as I am here to stay!!!! 

I had done my abaya shopping in Udupi before my first trip to Jeddah. I had taken the help of a friend and bought a very simple, black colour abaya without a scarf or what they call it here, hijab (covering head with a hijab is not compulsory for expatriates in Jeddah). I had picked up the least expensive one paying 2000 rupees. There were some more cheaper ones but they lacked quality. My first abaya was definitely not stylish, but for me it served its purpose. 

Last year when I was travelling to and fro Jeddah multiple times, my simple black abaya came handy and I just did not feel the need of buying one more. But after I shifted to Jeddah this year, I started observing women in Saudi Arabia and their abaya designs closely. In Saudi Arabia, especially in Jeddah, women can wear colour abayas; not gaudy ones though!!! I wonder what Mutaween (Islamic religious police who makes sure all the rules are followed properly) will do if they spot a fluorescent abaya!!! So, like I was saying, women can wear abaya of different colours like blue, brown, cream, white, grey and some lighter shades of pink, purple, etc. 

I have already bought two new abayas with hijabs - blue with lace and brown with front zip since this year January. But the interesting part is, in spite of paying in riyals, I have paid lesser money compared to India. For the blue one I paid 65 riyals (1103 rupees) and for the brown one I paid 85 riyals (1442 rupees). Like India, shopping in malls is very expensive. Even a simple abaya would cost nearly 1000 riyals (approximately 17K INR) but shopping in local streets of Jeddah saved me a lot of money. 

Al-Balad is the historical area of Jeddah which flaunts its market along with the UNESCO heritage site. Most of the shops are owned by Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis (or maybe I visited only their shops) and Arabs. As most of the shop owners spoke in Hindi, my first shopping experience in Jeddah was not bad. However, finding a colour abaya with a front zip was a difficult task (as most of them doesn't have a zip) but I enjoyed every bit of wandering around the streets of Balad. 

The different shades and designs of abaya made me feel like buying every single piece!!! I had never seen so many colours of abaya and that too in so many styles. I understand donning an abaya all the time can be less colourful for women from other countries but come and have a look at the vast collection of abayas, you will definitely fall in love with it. Most importantly, wearing an abaya is also very comfortable with an added advantage of going to supermarkets in sleeping pants!!!

I am definitely looking forward to some more abaya shopping and will upload pictures of Al-Balad market then (I did not have enough time to click pictures last time!!!!). 

PS : All the images are downloaded from different sources via google!!!!

The "Dementor"

Of course, we all know what dementors are!!! After all being a die hard Harry Potter fan, nothing scared me the most than those foul soul sucking hooded creatures. All my life I have been consciously waiting for the entry of a dementor to suck the soul out of me. I believe, everything depicted in Harry Potter has a real life meaning attached. Starting from Dumbledore to Voldemort, I have experienced my share of "Harry Potter" so far!!! But, it's only been three months since I have become a captive of a dementor and it has sucked my soul, my good spirit so much that I am unable to recognize myself in the mirror. 

So what happened three months ago? Where did I meet my dementor?  

Three months ago, on January 17th, on the most inauspicious day, I shifted my base to Saudi Arabia. A land where I had been travelling frequently and hence, had no qualms about moving. But things have changed in the past three months. I define KSA as colourless for people who are not very spiritual from within. It is a place which doesn't offer anything to improve the "fun quotient" in life. Definitely, it does provide a lot of options for shopping and eating, however, life becomes monotonous after a while. 

Being away from family and friends is still manageable, but after a certain age when you can't even make new friends quickly, it gets lonely without them. This loneliness starts hovering over you day and night, slowly taking that ignited spirit away. From day 1 to day 90, I have seen myself regressing from within. On the contrary, physically I have been putting on in all directions due to lack of exercise. I stay very close a street which is meant for walking and jogging. But I am hesitant, thinking about my plight of jogging wearing a burkha!!!! 

Life becomes so comfortable here, that you don't want any challenges or struggle in life any more. What people do here is - eat, sleep, shop and yeah, at times they work. This comfortable life has made me extremely lazy that even ten hours of sleep becomes insufficient for me. I have begun to cook only easy dishes which consumes less energy and time. I spend most of my time crouching on the sofa, looking at my facebook account and doing nothing!!!! The sad part is, I have become too lazy to write (this is my first post in the last one month) and even, read. Three books are half read and I am finding it impossible to finish them. 

Basically, I can't read, write, work or even think properly. All I do is eat, sleep and eat, sleep and cycle continues...  

Recently, after an hour long discussion with my husband I have realized this country is my dementor. It is slowly sucking out all my positive spirits and turning me in to a stiff. I have no aims or goals, I have no expectations from life, nothing to achieve, nothing to look forward to and if somebody asks me what my future plans are, I have no answer. But at least now I know what was wrong with me and I have decided to ward off my dementor saying "expecto patronum" and regain the spirit I have lost. 

A new country, a new culture can change your life style and thus, affect your overall personality. I always thought, the real challenge is to live and adapt in a new country. But now I have realized, the real challenge is to not lose yourself when you are exposed to a new place, new culture. I am pulling myself together and holding my spirits tight. I am sure, this dementor will return again but this time I will be ready with my magical wand and a spell to throw it out of my life forever.  

PS : All images are downloaded from different sources via different sources.