I spent a good four hours last Wednesday morning inside the Figaro coffee shop in Salcedo Village while waiting to submit my Schengen visa renewal at the Spanish Embassy. Figaro has very good wifi service, way faster than what we have here at home, and in all our offices. And by the way, their hot chocolate is also good.
I ordered a breakfast meal, Creamy Mushroom Omelette to justify me hanging out there. Nahihiya ako to just use their cafe and not order anything. I got one fourth slice of the omelette (tinikman ko lang) and the rest, including the bread, salad and coffee, went to my aide.
The travel agent liaison office called me at 1 pm. He said my number #28 had been called. Finally.
We took the elevator to the BLS office on the 10th floor of the Liberty Building.
If you’re traveling to Spain, this is where you apply for a visa. This is the new office of BLS International, the contractor that accepts and processes all the visa applications for Spain. Note that you will not find a single Spaniard in their office.
Lockers are provided for because cellphones and gadgets are not allowed. Bring something to read. If you hate reading, bring a lot of good thoughts because you will do a lot of day dreaming while waiting for your name or number to be called.
I paid additional P120 for BLS to text me when my passport and visa are ready. Imagine, para text lang P120! On top of the visa fee of P4,100. Glad that payment of these incidental expenses are compliments of Federal Phoenix Insurance Group.
It seems like I will be going to Barcelona after all. Hasta la vista.
