Blühendes Baroque

The last 3 days had been remarkable. My daily routine includes waking up by 530, breakfast by 6AM so I have enough time to gobble German bread, hot coffee, cold cuts and cheese.By 7,  a morning walk to the office which I do not enjoy much because of  f*word cold.

Lunch also doesn't look much like lunch- sandwich, coffee, and more of cold cuts. Oh how I crave for some rice! Anyway, on my 3rd day, we planned to go Ludwigsburg for another sight-seeing. This time to Blühendes Baroque.  

Instantly, baroque registers to my mind as something ancient, old fashioned, and somewhat relating to old style Europe. So it's not surprising to know that Ludwigsburg  is old  meets modern kind of place because it is home to 3 palaces. One of this is Royal Palace of Ludwisgsburg surrounded by  Bluhendes Baroque. The name translates as  baroque in bloom. 

The magnificent garden of over 30ha and for Eu 8, you could explore the entire garden! I think the theme varies with the season. A quick stopover was worth it! 

A long, long road away from home..

Love,

itsmelory (^.^)

Stadt Ludwigsburg

It was half past 3 when I met Craig & Bryan.  Tbh, my legs ached from all the walking in boots- but for the love of Europe, and I did not travel for like 1 day to just be sitting in my hotel room. So since work officially starts tomorrow, let's be like tourist for today. Now that enough makes my blood running. First stop -Stadt Ludwigsburg.
 

How to get there?

From Freiburg am Neckar Station, we took the DB S2 to Ludwigsburg passing only 2 stations for Eu 5. 

Vendo ticket machine so no trouble getting some ticket.

 Interesting to know there are no guards for bags and ticket inspections, but beware, 

guards make random inspections and when caught, 

you will be required to pay more than double. 

Ludwigsburg

Ludwigsburg is a city North of Stuttgart. The largest and one of the most prosperous economic center in the state and according to history, was also a favorite hunting place of the royal Wuttemburg family. The city was named after Erberhard Lois-Duke of Wuttemburg. Ludwigsburg being the German name for Lois. During his reign, Ludwigsburg was the Royal residence of the family but when his cousin Alexander ascended to the throne, he moved the capital back to Stuttgart.

Strolling around, can't help but notice that Ludwisburg is a quiet, sleepy city. I also found out that Charles Pfizer-chemist and founder of Pfizer group was born in this city. Most stores are closed because its the weekend! My what a difference! Back in Manila, people flock to malls, restaurants and especially during weekend to hang out.

WOK on Fire

Spending almost 2 days in the plane made me miss home food, so Chinese food is a welcome surprise. Bryan took us to some Wok- right in the middle of Ludwigsburg for an early dinner!

Base: Rice noddles - 3.90

Shrimp - 2.20

Pepper - .0.90

Champignons - 0.90

Cabbage -0.90

Choose you own sauce - I had seafood lover.

Softdrinks - 3.50

Total bill: Euro 12.30

Here goes! My bill was like Php600+, back in Manila I would get a decent meal for that amount, but yeah, Europe is pricey.

Cafe Trölsch

After some hot noodles, I have never been glad to be inside some cafeteria, the sweet delicious smell of freshly baked bread, hot coffee feels very comforting.

Bought some butter pretzels  for night caps and made our way back to Hotel Schober. 

Ah, Europe has just begun, but my body clock is telling me otherwise. 
Time to bade goodnight!

Happiness,

itsmelory (^.^) 

Hotel Schober

After the walking and luggage dragging that seemed like forever, we have finally reached Hotel Schober located in Bahnofstahe 63-65, 71691 Freiberg. Everything's well except that I can't even open the door to my room after checking in, and when I tried asking for help- I can't even find the receptionist  on the ground floor. Yes, they just leave the hotel door open just like that, yes Europe.

I managed to open after countless times of trying and boy was I glad to be here inside the room, cozy and warm. A decent tiny bed, mini ref, TV which I found out only has CNN and BBC, the rest are in German! But far more important than anything- an internet connection. Ok, I will live with that. 

There are some distinct difference the way Asian and European receive their guests, but well..I really can't complain about it. So no welcome drink whatsoever, but glad that the receptionist was quite nice , she even let me borrow her charger adapter. Yes, I did not bring one. The hotel itself was quiet and tidy, perhaps we are the only guests here because Freiberg is not really a tourist destination!  The small cold looking bed with weird triangular pillow looks inviting but I shake the thought of it because first day calls for some sight seeing, yeah?

Welcome to your home away from home, this tiny entrance of Hotel Schober

In full autumn blooms!

Oh hello there little room...

Should I put the bed together ?? Maybe I should.

Shaking cold this time,

itsmelory (^.^)

To the land of Franks

2015 have been a remarkable year for me. It was one of the hardest at the same time happiest year for me. So many things have happened in a spun of 1 year. I left my job of 5 years to take another challenge, become better and yeah stronger I hope. I am so blessed that along the way, I met so many great people, was given an opportunity to travel abroad. What an amazing year intend!

Oh but it doesn't even stop there, because 2015 turns out the year I'd step into my dream continent that is Europe. Picture of that Autumn brick building, beautiful landscapes and people walking in high street looking like fashion icons. A movie clip plays on my mind and I imagine alps and sweet smelling Autumn. I mean who won't gape when you're visiting one of the most amazing continent?

So there I was totally excited for my next training adventure half way around the world! In such a short notice I would fly to Europe! *insert scream* but no time to even let the thought sink in because the next few weeks was an exhausting-hunt-high-and-low for my Autumn-look (duh priorities). But first, and most important thing to deal with when traveling to Europe is of course securing a Schengen visa. To my delight, I had no such trouble getting mine through TLS Contact. Let me discuss about it separately here.

Frankfurt, here I come!

I left Saturday evening for Frankfurt via Abu Dhabi. My  first time to take long haul flight, my longest flight so far took me 4 hrs one way. Etihad is just as I have imagined it to be, spacious and comfortable and all the free goodies. During the entire plane trip, I've watched all MoM episodes, Big Bang, 2-half men, not so bad collections!

By 7PM arrived in Abu Dhabi  (almost midnight in Manila); UAE is -4hrs, I met Craig, my Aussie colleague whom I've met 2 weeks ago at Jakarta.

This has been my only company for like 1 day and half...


Oh Frappe, this cold drink welcomed me to Abu Dhabi 
while waiting for my connecting flight.

Guten morgen Germany

By 2AM (Manila Time), we were off for another 6hr-flight to Frankfurt Germany. I think my only recollection was Sheldon's funny face because the next thing I knew we landed on a misty morning at Frankfurt International Airport.
Time check; 7AM CET, Monday. My watch displayed 2PM (PH), I was literally suspended on air for like 1 day 8 hrs in total. With all those sitting-time during the flight, my legs could use some stretching!!  The 8C temperature welcomed me to Europe as we alight the plane. I was wearing my considerably thick turtle neck and pants but my warmer is tucked on my luggage, just hoping the immigration thing will finish off immediately so I don't froze in the cold.
Finally it was turn after the long queue- I was my casual confident self answering questions. The officer asked me to show the Letter of invitation and I realized why in the world did I forget to print a copy! I flashed a smile and  showed a copy from my laptop. Heh, visa thing.  

Immigration desks


On the way to train station

Finally @ Frankfurt

We went straight to the DB train ticket station to get us to Stuttgart and met Bryan. One way ticket costs Euro63.00. No available seat reservation because we need to catch the next available train at 9AM and it's half past 8. Seat reservation is only possible if it's still an hour prior to travel time.  We took 2 elevator trips up to the station and my eyes is threatening to close. Oh time zone problems! Europe(Central European Time) is 7 hours lagging. So yeah, I'm younger by 7 hrs here. We managed to find empty seats, and luckily it was non-reserved so it was a more or less comfortable 2 hr ride to Stuttgart. 

By 11AM, we were at the Main Station of Stuttgart and decided to grab a quick lunch! My first lunch in Germany includes a latte and bacon croissant. I've never been ever glad to be in a coffee shop, so warm and the smell of coffee picks me up! 

We're not lost, aren't we?

We took another train trip to Freiburg, one-way ticket costs Eu 5.0 I literally dragged myself and my extra-heavy-luggage to the train station because 2 elevators were under maintenance! Goodness! It was 12deg but I am soaked to my skin. Few more minutes and we're finally on board S2 to Freiburg am Neckar.

Incoming!!!

We passed like 5 stations until Freiburg-am-Neckar. Exiting the train station was even harder as the temperature makes it impossible for me to function normally, already around 2C at this time! We walked about hundred meter more and passed beautiful European houses to the hotel, and finally reached Hotel Schober, my temporary home for the coming days. Oh finally, finally I could rest my legs but  too excited to explore Germany. 

Happiness & love,

itsmelory (^.^)

Lory's essentials

One important thing to consider when traveling is your destination's weather to help you prepare physically and pack your clothing properly. I learned my lesson when I went to Japan on an autumn and I only had some petroleum jelly, an alcohol based moisturizer which was a great recipe for skin disaster, good thing I got my Burt's Bees liptint to protect thy lips. 

Traveling isn't just about snapping #ootd photos but also feeling comfortable by keeping your self warm and taking care your skin too! Therefore I conclude that a dose of a good moisturizer is quite as essential as your hand gloves, warmer and perfect boots to match everything else. Here's my beauty hack which will might come quite very useful for you too! 

Good morning ritual

One thing probably my parents bestowed upon me is this sensitive genes, 

meaning anything I put on my face instantly gives me reddish itchy spots. 

I found just the right wash that doesn't. Tea tree for pimple prevention too. Yey. 

L'Oreal White Perfect Day Cream SPF 17

This Fairness control cream somehow worked for me! 

I like the light weight feel on my skin! I put enough coverage on my face and neck after my facial wash, bonus that it smells clean and nice! The only downside is that it doesn't come with a spatula, so yeah finger dipping it is. 

Biore UV Sunscreen SPF 50+ 

Yes, you need some sunscreen even on Autumn! Winner because
this is water-based SPF perfect that it doesn't dry skin.
After I have smoothed on my moisturizer this cream comes next.
I also liked it because its a mini tube so it's quite hygienic, plus it can be squeezed even on my small pouch. 

L'oreal True Match Idealizing Cream SPF 35+ 

I use very small amount of this just so I have a tint and don't go on looking pale. 

It also gives some satin finish to match my moisturizer! 

L'oreal True Match Powder 

Just tapped lightly for a finish! 

My Evening essentials 

I don't really have a night time ritual, on normal occasion I go for what's natural and believes that night time is the time for the skin to breath- but not when I was in Europe. I feel like I needed to put on some protection on cold days.  

Essential Olive Oil Jelly

I like that it's an all around and a practical remedy for lips, hands, feet. During my first 2 days, I use it on my face too, I put a thick layer before sleeping and it was okay. 

Nivea Soft Hydrating Cream

Thanks for this hydrating cream, I replaced the Essential Oil Jelly for my night moisturizer. I dab a handful before sleeping on my face and massage gently, and the following morning, my face is feels smooth, I use it as hand cream as well! Quite useful and effective!

Avon Naturals Aloe Hydra-cool Overnight mask

My sister let me have the remaining of her night beauty regime (which I am so glad I did bought with me). I used it every other night alongside Nivea cream which works for me. It leaves a cool and minty feel on my face and in the morning my face feels well hydrated and smooth. 

Stay warm and enjoy the cold weather,
itsmelory (^.^)

Schengen Visa

Traveling to Europe was like a dream for me. If you'd ask me last year what I would be doing, I wouldn't for the world even thought that I'd be given the opportunity to travel to my distant dream place. So now, I am really all kilig to be preparing my flight to Europe. But first things first, far more important that my Autumn frills and fuss is my Schengen visa! 
A European visa collectively called Schengen is composed of 26 countries which have agreed to have free movement of their citizens as single country.



Where to apply visa?

My trip includes Germany and Switzerland, so I could either apply both at the embassy of Germany or Switzerland, but the main criteria depends on which country you will stay longer. Since I will spend the same number of days in both and barely 3 weeks left for my visa I decided to go for German embassy because of its proximity to my office. *panic attacks*  

German Foreign Ministry is located at RCBC Plaza, Ayala Avenue Makati City. For a Business visa here goes the checklist:

1. Identity as traveler, original passport valid for at least 3 months and must contain at least two empty pages. Photocopy of the passport including valid and invalid passports. Easy.
2. Current passport photos 2 pcs.
3. Fully accomplished visa application form
4. Purpose of travel which is the invitation letter in company paper format with the name of the guest, date of travel, company you work for, intended stay, motive of the travel and reason for the trip.
5. Visa fee; Children 6 years and below Free, 6-12 Euros 35, 12 years and above Euros 60 or approximately Php3,450.00
6. Financial coverage of your entire stay. 6 months bank statement of accounts with confirmation by the bank. I was worried because my personal bank account BPI would only release maximum 3 months of SOA, good thing that I have an online account and was able to print 6 months of Statement! And in addition, a letter of invitation in which the sponsor guarantees for the cost of the guest's entire stay!
7. Travel health Insurance - not a problem. I have a travel insurance since I am traveling frequently, minimum coverage of about Euros 30,000-
8. Proof of employment, latest ITR, approved leave letter of absence signed by employer if necessary.  

Now as soon as the checklist is completed, time to get an appointment! When I made the online schedule, I found out that the next available slot is day after my supposed flight! Like OMG, #tiwalalangLory, matutuloy din si Europe. Now my only chance is get my visa from the Swiss Embassy. 

TLS Contact 

I couldn't be more happier with TLS Contact to process my Swiss visa. Since I have initially furnished most requirement, all there to do is fill up visa form. I wish they do all kinds of visa but unfortunately, they only cater for Switzerland visa alone. Okay lets!
First, I registered at their website and you will be given designated username and password. You need to fill in your information and get an appointment for personal appearance and submission of documents. It is also important to note that you must provide correct contact number or email so they can notify you for the pick up of passport. Processing time takes 1 week before grant or denial of your visa.
I went there 2 weeks before my scheduled trip, paid Php 3,500, have my bioemetric data captured. Do not forget to bring original and photocopy of all documents!

Here goes...

Two days after my submission, I received an email that my passport is ready for pick up. TLS passport collection is from M-F, 1:30-4:30PM. Here goes everything! I was so sure my visa got denied because, hello..1 week processing isn't it? So I went there afternoon ready to say Auf weidersehen to my European dream. 

Additional note to bring the checklist form, original and photocopy of your ID, or if in case your representative will come and pick up, make sure to prepare:

1. Your ID Copy
2. Visa checklist
3. Authorization letter
4. Representative's original and photocopy ID

I wasn't even half willing to open the sealed envelope with my passport- not until I got home and mustered all my strength to open it (char, drama queen). My heart almost jumped for joy when I saw my passport stamped with approved visa. Goodness!! I smell Europe from all the way here! My colleague said there is a slim chance that my visa will be denied since its a business visa- oh I was worried for no reason at all ! Lols. Still, I praise the Lord. 

This one pager made my day!

 To Europe,

itsmelory (^.^)

*************************** U P D A T E ********************************

As an update, the official partner of Embassy of Switzerland for visa processing is VFS Global. You may contact them thru: https://visa.vfsglobal.com. Due to COVID-19 outbreak, visa processing is closed until June 15,2020. 

Postcard from my Euro dream tour

Germany, a country so powerful-and

it's history always entertwined with the Roman Catholic empire!
















itsmelory (^.^)