I received an answer to my application for a Schengen visa, via the Belgian Embassy at New Delhi, yesterday. It was a rejection letter saying that documents to support my claim of being "Self-Employed" were not sufficient, and that I would be granted a visa if I up-date and resend the said documents!
It felt like my face had been smashed on a concrete wall!
But these are the realities of International Travel, and a visa is a very real thing: without which I cannot travel. I do intend to apply afresh for the visa, but my plans for attending steemfest is over now as I cannot get one in time.
But these realities are painful, even if I get the logic behind the rejection. My hotel was booked, my air tickets for the 10th were done, and I had set aside SBD 144 for the fest tickets, and now I do not get to leave on time.
The world has become a suspicious place, unlike the days I used to travel, when things were simpler and a visa was the last worry for any traveler. Also those days, there were fewer travellers with malicious intent or radical ideologies who wanted to "degrade western civilization from the inside", and most were just simple tourists, or someone like me who just wanted to see the world.
What pains me is, as a young man I have worked extensively around Europe and England and developed friendships which have endured over the years. The last I traveled to Europe was around 14 years ago, a fact I mentioned in the application, but unfortunately did not have the old passports with the stamped visas. And now I have to prove my case all over again if I am to travel there again.
But this is also a reflection of the changes which has happened to the world in the last two decades. The countless wars and the crisis of refugees has overwhelmed most countries, and I do understand their stringent rules which apparently would help weed out undesirables from visiting their country.
And normal people, like me, do get caught up in this complexity, while complacency on my part regarding a simple document, has denied me attendance at the fest. And this was something I was really looking forwards to, as nothing like stemit had happened to me before, and I really wanted to meet the good people I have made friends with on here.
My new plan
I will re-apply for the visa with up-dated documents, and I will visit my old friends in Europe, who are expecting me and will be fun to catch up with. But it will be too late for me to attend steemfest and meet with you all.
But I will meet my steemit friends whenever I get the opportunity next, but for now I am cancelling my hotel booking and my air-ticket and I wish the very best to all who shall be attending, and hope you have the time of your lives!
A bit disappointed, I shall unpack my bag, make a cup of tea, but wear something I had bought for the trip, and which will get me in a festive mood never-the-less.
My double-knitted woolly hat!
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Or you may just re-steem to share the love! 😊
Haha, good one with the video comment! Loved it!
And thanks for your concern, as I would too have loved to meet you all!
I'm sorry to hear that but maybe we should have another steemfest there :-)
I guess the only thing I can do now is prepare and attend the next one, where ever it may be held!
Thank you.
I'm so sorry that has happened to you. Let's make a new world for Steemfest 2.
We can do it.
Yes we will! And thank you for your concern. But I will miss it!
really sucks :( not much else to say.
Still, you're being extremely calm, i'd be pretty hyper-upset.
Though I am pissed off, I can do nothing else except maybe rant, which I would rather avoid. But thanks for your concern.
Sucks that visa issues have prevented your trip. Traveling should be easier and easier not the other way around.
Yes it is pissing off, but travel has become more difficult these days. Could be the state of world affairs which is making everyone anxious, and so the paranoia.
Hopefully things will be better, but I have my doubts, as the self-appointed police in this world, never seems to get the point.
That I too was born on this planet, and I need a satisfactory explanation as to why I cannot go to another part for a holiday?
Also read your post and realised that you shall be travelling to Amsterdam in a few hours, so I wish you a pleasant festival and have fun! Bon Voyage!
Hey! @norbu it sucks that you can't go. I was almost a little proud to know that a few fellow Steemians will be representing India in the Steemfest. Have fun on the trip anyway. Keep us updated!
It does suck but we do have a few to represent the country. As for me, the only trip I intend going on is a herb induced one, so peace brother. :))
That's too bad, @norbu. I hope you get to see plenty of Steemit folks when you are able to go to Europe.
Thank you, I hope I do!