Nice to finally see you by eyes, beautiful lady.
A crossroad at Boulevard Saint Germain
Autumn colours
Pont D’Iena and River Seine
No words needed. More pictures (and stories later) coming.
Waiting for today feels like forever since last June. Looking back to all things happened in the last four months make the heart almost exploded of mixed emotions felt.
Let’s go through the past tunnel first, shall we?
Right after the first umra when I was 19, three goals were set to be accomplished before married :
1. Master degree abroad
2. Going Hajj
3. Going to this city
The first two were checked in the same year of the marriage, but not the third one.
This city has been My constant stomachache. Having the language teacher at home made me really familiar about this city. The books were everywhere. The language was also daily spoken. One or two or three words were often used whenever we discussed something.
First time learned the language at 11. Then, it was on and off. During high school, this was one of an elective subjects for two years. Maybe, other than me, no one enjoyed this subject at all.
It has been come closer for several chances. When we visited Manchester in 1994, we had BeNeLux and this country visa with us. Sadly, chicken pox stopped us from going. In 1996, the teacher was sent for a month summer course, but again, joined her was out of option.
The dream was off for quite some times.
Then, I started working on it seriously in 2008. It was a thought of accomplishing number one and three in one shot. Master degree in this country or other countries nearby. Wherever it would be, as long as it was getting closer to number three would be fine.
Had been applying lots of universities in The Netherlands and England and received quite offering letters. Sadly, the scholarship wasn’t available. Back then, scholarships were not widely available. Not to say I would surely get it, but at least could give it a try.
Since Europe was quite hard, then the plan was revised. Instead of doing number one and three, the focus and resources were all used on number one first. It worked better than having two things at the hands. Number one was checked in 2011, after almost two years of searching.
In 2011, life happened a lot. The wedding planning had started rolling. The chance of having number three done before the wedding day was getting thinner. While number two was confirmed, number three was too far to be seen.
In 2011 also, the news of the teacher sent to one of the city in that country broke my heart a lot. She actually supposed to go the previous year, but she had to unveil herself. She refused and declined the offer. Unbelievably, the chance came once more on the following year. This time, she was told that she could keep her veil. So, she did go. As if this opportunity was chasing her until she said yes.
What made it was pretty heart-breaking, it was me who had been trying hard for almost two years, but why it seemed the teacher, who didn’t do anything to go, was the one who could go. It wasn’t fair at all.
Right after Hajj, a month after, it was the wedding day. The hope of accomplishing all three had totally gone. The chance of going within visible time was pretty zero, with le husband’s residency on the running. Until the wedding day, when the teacher was no longer here, number three was still left untouched.
Two years after marriage, the baby came. The hope was even more fading. Let alone that far, going somewhere near for couple of hours now is even not easy knowing this little baby is waiting at home. In the wildest and worse thought, number three was halfly given up. Although, the thought of dying without going there gave me a broken heart.
God has always had a funny, unexpectable, and mysterious way in fulfilling our wish. This year fasting month brought a greater blessing than we expected.
It started when the idea of homecoming to Solo was popped. Since le husband is already in his last year of residency, the schedule has been quite loose. For the first time in four years, we went for a trip by plane. Although the cost made our saving screamed a lot.
Right after bought the homecoming tickets, an idea to check the cost of number three ticket came into mind. Did it as a guilty pleasure, like I have always been doing whenever remembering number three.
Checking several airlines, it turned out one of them currently had some promos. As the curiousity was getting higher, destination and some dates were typed. Nothing serious, just wanted to check how much it would cost.
When the monitor displayed the price for two adults and an infant, the first reaction was…numb.
Such price, return, for three person? Seriously?
It might be not that cheap, but calculating quickly on my head, it was doable. At least, affordable for us. The dates input had been chosen, according to my schedule.
Couldn’t help staring at the monitor for some time. The tab had been opened for a whole day. Went to bed sighing and thinking, it would be still impossible.
The day after had never been the same. It made me checking the website every single day. Reading a lot of reviews. Comparing to almost every airlines possible. Discussing things with le husband, my father, and also my saving account.
For at least 12 days ahead, I had numerous disturbed sleeps. While le husband kept telling me just clicked and bought the tickets, while the courage was there. Telling me that I had been longing for this too long. Maybe it is really the time.
The courage came after sahoor in Ramadhan. The tickets were bought. Never in my life I spent money that much on something. For a stingy person like me, the amount spent was too scary.
Strangely, this time, instead of guilt, it felt good.
Those tickets bought were the first real thing I have done about number three. Although few months later I am still paying the debt for it, it is worth all the pain of having debt for.
The next morning, passports were being registered online and after two weeks, the new passports were ready. Passport done, the next step was one of the most important things about number three. One process which sucked almost your energy, time, and money : Visa application.
Preparing for visa was one of the most exhausting yet enriching steps about number three. It made me do lots of reading, if not to say too much reading. Almost all available articles, with any possible keywords were being read. Made sure I didn’t miss anything for my visa documents so it would be approved or before that, at least no document missing when we came to submit it.
One week after documents submission, the passports were returned. Opened the sealed envelope in front of the locket, opened the passport and… the stamp was there.
It was really there until I really wanted to cry.
The visa was there.
My permission entry to enter this country was granted.
Then, (Maybe), it is really the time.
———————
For me, it’s not a simply mere vacation. Nor an ordinary family trip.
It feels like going for another smaller Hajj. Going to the place which make your heart beating fast and has been giving you a constant stomach ache for almost three fourth of your life.
The place where you almost read everything about that, speaking the language (trying hard) like its people, knowing something about this place more than any common knowledge.
When usually people are having at least two or three countries to visit with their visa during their travel time, I (we) decide only to visit this one country, in this one city. I won’t be a hopping tourist. (Well, it’s actually a soft translation of the money is limited;))).
This one might sound too mainstream for many people, but not to me. It’s the place where some parts of the teacher’s soul lived. By the teacher, I have been talking about my mother.
The teacher who had been teaching me not only about the country and its language, but the more importantly, she taught us about having dreams and working on it until we make it.
Half of this journey, maybe about showing her up there, this time, I finally make it for my third biggest dream. She knew for sure I have been longing number three since a very young age. Sadly, she is not here to cheer with me like the previous two. But, I hope she would be proud to see everything that I have done to make this one real.
The initial plan was going alone, strolling here and there, taking pictures, resting for coffee and cake near the river, shopping till the wallet drop, visiting places on the list every single day all day long, having a day trip to the nearest cities, and many more of self-pleasing things. An ultimate self trip to end my 20s.
It turns out I am going with another two people. One of them is a baby, which gives me a lot of concern. Double and triple preparations, while having less and lower expectation. Instead of the strong 20s, it’s the less agile 30. God truly gives all my dreams checked, according to His will, not mine.
Dream then work on it to the fullest, I am the one who will decide the result, He said.
Then, let’s accept the result.
To the city where my heart has been constantly wrenching for after Mecca and Medina, here I come. I’ll see you there, Mom.
October 25, 2003 : the departure day of the journey when the three dreams were set.
October 25, 2016 : the departure day of the third and longest dream.
Missions accomplished.
Bismillah, off we go.
Never really a big fans of birthday. Love the presents but not the celebration. So, apart from those in the childhood which all were done at home, never once having any birthday parties outside. Not even school.
Sad? Not at all. Being in a crowd and become the centre of attention is scary. So, I really have no problem.
Then, maybe around ten or twelve years ago, stop craving for any presents. It was quite confusing when people asked what I wanted for birthday. It felt like I had enough things already. That was when the tradition of giving money for birthday started. Nah, I loved this one better. Saving is one of my favorites things to do, bank is one of my happy places, while the scent of clean and new money is one of the best ones. Hoho!
The only thing I love about birthday is the wishes. It’s nice having those who remember one special day for you. Although the relationship is not the intense one, they always come back for birthday greetings.
As years gone by, getting less and less wishes are unavoidable. it comes only from certain ones who are always present, and I love this. I love having those who are really matters for me, return the feeling. Having birthday wishes from them is more than enough. I am all good.
Some memorable years marked by having the dreams checked. First umra on the 19th, a letter acceptance for master on the 26th, hajj departure on the 28th, and the last one, this year. Three dreams are all checked around the birthday date.
Guess I really have enough. Physically and mentally enough.
I live, eat, sleep, work, pray in a healthy condition. I feel save, comfortable, and suffice with things I have. I have been through and given enough lessons to learn, though some are too unpleasants, but then, it’s done.
Although I am saying I have enough above, but the rest of the journey hope to be spent by having more of something : patience.
Then, I am good.
Joyeaux anniversaire, chére moi.
* never really write on the exact day of the birthday.
Twelve am and still awake.
Refered to the previous Dreams and Twists post, guess I really forgot another fact.
A dream fulfilled takes twist, yes. But, totally forgot, it has been layered twists. Always.
Just have another one which is quite shocking and makes this head spinning too fast.
Gladly, it has been resolved quickly and pricey. Sigh.
Really,Universe. Please stop joking.
It’s not funny, you know.
Meeting with the old friends always leave something to be thought of. This lovely bunch was a high school best friends in the third year. It’s been six…teen (ha!) years after we graduated, lots of changes happened, yet one thing stays the same, their oldselves.
In spite what positions they are currently sitting in, more money they have, they truly are the same as they were. Instead of bragging about their achievements, new materials belonging, they share their own battle. Behind every smiles shown, each of us are still fighting our own battle. Either career, family, love life, are all present.
One may has a very good career in government institution, more than enough materials, yet still waiting for a child. One has a nice little family, yet still struggling with his career. Another one has good career and nice family, yet has to live far away from his family in another town outside Java.
In every gathering we have, some talks about the pasts were always brought up. Laughing at those good old days, when nothing worries us more than a killer biology teacher who always proposed lots of questions in every lesson.
Or fast forward few years after, we went for a trip to Kota Tua, which turned quite failed since all the museums were closed due to public holiday, but was also considered as the most successful and happiest one.
When one by one are finally settling down, getting married, the meeting is also getting harder to set up. Unmatched schedules or any other reasons are likely preventing us to meet, and mostly the reasons come from family matters. Family event, a sick child, office/work event, etc. Everyone seems too busy to even meet for a mere ninety minutes. The friendship seems no longer on the top list of priorities.
It’s quite understandable though. I always believe, marriage, then after that,kids, change a whole game of your life. It feels like giving up half remote control of your life to these things.
Before, whenever an idea of meeting was set, I would just go without many things to consider. After married with kids, lots of term and conditions are applied. Please don’t be too far, too long, choose a place where it is comfortable enough for nursing, and bla bla bla.
One of a good friend from the circle, was once a tax employee and then after few years, he gave up his firm position and enrolled to a pilot school to pursue his dream. He is married with a daughter. Three years after, he finished the study and came back reunited with his family. After six months and up to yesterday, he is still struggling to find one pilot position, in spite of lots available airlines and his education background.
Looking from two sides, it’s good thing having a dream to be pursued. But in the other hand, pursuing a personal dream when we have other important responsibilities might be considered unfair. Luckily, the wife is supportive enough. Being a single parent during his study, a bread winner for the household, even after six months he came home. Come on, it’s only six months, right?
Hohoho, try that yourself.Being a husband, father, who has no job, no income, gave up the previous settle job for a dream, let’s make a bet whether you can survive for a month, IF, you don’t have a strong partner to get your back so you can keep standing still. Not everyone is lucky enough.
Being such wife and mother is surely far from easy. There are so much to deal with. Her work at office, her 2,5 years daughter, her husband and the family future as well, and many other unseen things. Girls should really have a right and full comprehension about what it takes before deciding to settle down with someone.
Thus, when my brother once thought he would get married first then pursuing his second master degree abroad, I quite strongly against the idea. While he even didn’t have a suitable one with him yet, why bother giving up the study for such uncertain reason. Glad he could think rationally. Unless, he wouldn’t have enjoyed London as he pleases in a current time.
There will always be the end of an era where things would no longer be in your favours. Sometimes, life happens too cruel to deal with. Before such time comes, make the most of your time. Spent those happy, reckless youth to the fullest.
Don’t stop running too early. Whether you like it or not, want it or not, the finish line will always wait for you in the end. Don’t bother to make it earlier. Enjoy the scenery to your heart’s content. Bring a lot to your brain to face harder challenges ahead.
A finish line is obviously the end of an era, but it also happen to be another starting line to the new chapter.
Of course, a higher level one.
May we all have enjoyable journey for each chapters in our life.
Good luck.
Always being a careful and overly thinking person in almost everything, no wonder the anxiety level is quite high. Too strict and unflexible might be good for some things but surely not everything. Not easy to let things go means giving the best and being all out to do a total fight for every important matters in life.
Experiencing the journey of executing three personal dreams, reminiscing every single little things done until it really happened felt quite surreal. Surreal because it seemed so unexpected this lazy girl could do that far and that much for something she really wanted.
Each of dreams has their own story, fight, failure, and one that we always forget, the twist. The bigger dreams took the bigger twist.
Welcoming 2012 with such a big heart knowing there would be three big things accomplished that year, thinking how perfect it would be, ready to mark 2012 as the best years of my life. Done with dream number one, followed by number two few months later, and not long after, tied the knot.
Tying a knot with someone was not part of the dream list. Never actually. Getting married to someone is the limit time when I should be done with my personal things.
Why? Every decision make after married won’t solely depend on myself, but also the other person, even more sometimes, more than one person. That’s why girls, I strongly advise, do and accomplish as many as possible, as much as you can, as far as you want, before deciding to settle down with someone. Life after married won’t ever be the same anymore.
Overwhelmed by excitements over these made me forget one old phrase : do your best and let God do the rest. Men plan, God decides.
He gave me three big things one could have within a year, but with term and conditions. It felt like He said, ” I give you three, BUT, I also take three, “.
First, Master degree abroad, graduated with flying colors : checked.
Second, Hajj before married, literally before married like a month before : checked.
Third, Married to one that you want after those long hard years and drama : checked.
However,
No pain, no gain, isn’t it?
Let’s do the God’s math.
By having the first, He took one that I loved so much. One whose nice scent would always linger, the most loving, cleanest, upright, most compassionate, stick to her shalat, Grandmother left just few months before graduation. It wasn’t the fact she passed away that broke the heart. It was a missing chance of saying my final goodbye to her. I was thousand miles away from her. Nothing worse than missing the last chance to say goodbte to your loved ones.
Then, having number two was very precious. Not many have a chance to do Hajj at a quite young age, with all of their heart. So, shall we take another one?
One who was the most helpful, never grumpy, a tall and handsome one, the best and kindest uncle left exactly two weeks after his mother. Too much mourning within two weeks.
Finally, having the number three means a new whole journey began. A life changing journey. Thus, the twist level should be as high as the gift.
I have no words to explain about this one. One who should be standing right next to my father on the wedding day left exactly two weeks before the wedding date.
Thankfully, a very proper chance was given. Went Hajj together, just the two of us, took care her, bathing, cleaning all part of her body in the hospital, slept over there everyday for thirteen days, sit right next to her until her last breath, it was one of the greatest honours I have received in my life. Serving one that gave you the most on her last days.
Back to 2016, it seems four years are enough to make someone forgets. Right when the last dream started rolling to happen, busy here and there, doing lots of things, make the twist is forgotten. Thinking maybe this is finally and really the time for number three, it hit pretty hard when I realized, with an executed dreams, twist will always follow. It’s not given separately.
Again, since it is about a personal dream, then personal relationship would be a perfect twist this time. Some tiny part was taken from the relationship. Tiny part which changed the game. Once again, it happened right two weeks before doing the most important part of the dreams.
If one asks whether all these twists make me regret of having those dreams, the answer is no.
Having those dreams take me to the best inner self-journey I have ever experienced. Knowing how far and how long I can go, how persistent and determined I can be.
While having those twists show me how strong this heart can be, how good I can endure, how hard to stand back on your own feet after losing some important parts of your body. Show me truth of the saying, ‘Life must go on’.
So I do. With all the strength left to go on.
Not much, not completely okay, but it’s enough.
Having enough is good enough for me.
In the end, the cycle of each of dreams is similar. Get myself few nice dreams, working hard on it, get slapped by the twist, fall, stand back, and go on.
Thank you for the lessons and surprises, universe.
Have a nice dream and hurtful twist!
Sorry, Baby. Mommy has been so(k) busy these days. With your uncle departure, grandpa’s health, aunt soon to be due date, our next big project, fiuh. Glad that dramaland is currently quiet. Too much demanding attention these days.
So, these two months have been very pleasant. You have been improving sooo much. New words are heard everywhere and everytime. This improvement shows that you really seem an injury time child. We visited a sub specialist to consult about your verbal skills and she gave us two months before you’re turning two. Then, voila! Right after the visit, though some are still unclear, you have been doing pretty well. Way to go, dear. Let’s beat the time limit!
I think I can say I have passed the feeding test given from you. Now you eat like a real adult, with too quick duration, and without any hassles. You eat everything and anything. The pain of consistently feeding you during those days and months are well-paid.
Your dad is currently enjoying giving advices to his friends who often asked how to make their child eat like you. He claimed my hard work well. Yes, baby. It’s all hard work and persistence. Remember to do that for something that you think is important to you.
You are and have been always hilarious. The current most hilarious thing you do is the way you say ‘Amin’ whenever you heard imam on the mosque reciting Al Fatihah during prayer. You will wait for it eagerly and when the time comes you will halfly scream ‘Aaamiiinn’ with the right pitch. My good girl!!:))
Other parts seem continue doing good. Motoric skills have been your strength, I pressume. All things related to physical movements seem doing well, like making a total mess by moving those furnitures by yourself, scattering things in all upstair rooms whenever I fall asleep because too tired chasing you off.
As your introvert part grows, a tiny part of socializing skill also made some progress. You’re now starting eager to play at least with Ayra and Hana, although not in the first encounter and not continously. They both are really fond of playing with you, you know. Don’t be so mean, please.
It’s another two months to go for our breastfeeding journey. Honestly, I don’t really prepare for what kind of weaning I should do. For a well-planned person like me, weaning is one of the things that I don’t either know, want, or whatever to have some plans. Maybe later.
Well, that’s all I think. Keep healthy like you always be. Stay funny!
After 2012, right after having the second big dream, the passport was expired. A promise then made, it wouldn’t be renewed until the next destination was clear, which by that means the third big dream. The third one also the longest one I have been dreaming.
I truly, sincerely, wanted once the passport is renewed, I must have known that I would be going within short period. I promised I would have this certain visa stamped on the first page of the new passport. Other than that, no need to bother renewing the passport.
Today, the wish is granted.
Started a whole real journey three months ago, prepared all the requirements to apply the visa and made sure to have no mistake so it will have the least possibility of being unapproved. Been reading almost all available articles to avoid any mistakes.
Submitted the document a week ago, without any missing documents needed.
One week later, an email received said the passports had returned.
Went to collect it today and when the envelope was unsealed, then..
The visa was there.
Alhamdulillah.
The first thing came across my mind was my mother. She was the only one who really understands how much I have been longing for this one. Sadly, she was no longer here when I truly make it.
It’s such a big happiness to have the wish granted today, remembering all those things that I have been going through to get here. But, it’s quite sad knowing the person I really want to share this with was no longer here.
Maman, j’ai le fait. J’espere que tu me vois la bas. Je fait mon troiséme rêve.
Donc, au revoir à ton ville!
Je suis vraiment alleerrrrr!!!!!
Hari ini adalah hari yang paling melegakan selama tiga bulan terakhir sejak kenekatan saya di bulan puasa lalu.
Hari ini adalah jadwal yang saya pilih untuk memasukan berkas permohonan visa saya di TLS Contact. Setelah tiga bulan berkutat dengan pengurusan berbagai dokumen yang menjadi syarat mengajukan visa Schengen, akhirnya insya Allah malam ini saya bisa tidur lega.
Lho? Emang udah pasti diberikan visanya? Ya jelas belum. Saya lega karena semua usaha yang bisa saya lakukan untuk sampai ke mimpi saya, sudah saya lakukan. Hasilnya diterima atau ditolak, selalu, untuk hal apapun, termasuk ini, saya selalu percayakan ke Yang Punya Segala Urusan.
Bisa sampai tahap ini, setelah bertahun-tahun, sudah kaya setengah mimpi jadi kenyataan untuk saya.
Okey, kembali ke topik.
Jadi, sebenarnya, dokumen persyaratan visa Schengen ini mau dibilang susah ngga, tapi memang untuk saya yang mulai semuanya dari awal, bahkan dari pembuatan paspor, rasanya jadi sangat panjang.
Dokumen yang dibutuhkan untuk mengajukan aplikasi visa Schengen turis adalah :
1. Formulir aplikasi visa
Formulir ini bisa diunduh lalu isi tulis tangan ATAU kalau sudah mengisi pendaftaran online, formulir ini akan otomatis terisi dengan data yang kita masukan, dan tinggal dicetak. Saya pakai yang kedua. Lebih rapi dan praktis.
2. Bukti print tiket pulang pergi
Negara tujuan saya pulang pergi sama.
3. Bukti pemesanan penginapan selama di wilayah Schengen.
Saya hanya melampirkan satu bookingan hotel di satu negara. Saya anggap saya hanya akan memgunjungi satu negara. Entah nanti ternyata berubah, biar jadi urusan belakangan. Supaya ngga ribet juga. Toh tiket saya pergi pulang dari negara yang sama.
Saya pesan salah satu hotel di booking.com yang ada tanda pembatalan gratis. Waktu pembatalan gratisnya sampai H-2 waktu check-in. Jika insya Allah visa dikabulkan, akan langsung saya batalkan.
4. Surat pernyatan Bekerja/Sekolah
Surat ini dikeluarkan dari institusi tempat kita bekerja atau bersekolah. Saya dengan surat keterangan bekerja, suami surat keterangan sekolah.
Untuk formatnya sudah kami buat sendiri dulu dalam bahasa Inggris, berdasarkan referensi dari berbagai artikel. Seandainya ada yang perlu boleh tinggalkan email di sini ya.
5. Surat referensi bank
Untuk bagian ini saya memberikan dua surat dari bank yang berbeda, yaitu BCA dan BNI. Sebenarnya satu aja cukup, tapi saya punya pertimbangan lain.
Banyak saya baca, salah satu penyebab kemungkinan visa ditolak ini umumnya karena keuangan yang ngga meyakinkan. Jadi saya mau antisipasi supaya lebih mantep. Repot sedikit biar deh.
Saya sangat merekomendasikan untuk buat surat referensi ini dari BCA. Sebelumnya, saya sudah baca-baca kalo ini membutuhkan proses 2-3 hari kerja dengan biaya 50.000.
Kenyataannya?
Dengan waktu kedatangan di tanggal tua dimana bank ngga terlalu ramai, di kantor cabang yang cukup besar dengan jumlah staf yang memadai, proses yang dibutuhkan dari saya parkir sampai masuk lagi ke mobil dengan surat referensi plus rekening koran tersimpan rapi dalam amplop adalah…. 20 menit.
Iya, 20 menit saja.
Saya super terkesan sekali dengan cara kerja bank ini. Efektif, efisien, dan semua terlihat bekerja sepenuh hati.
Untuk BNI, prosesnya agak sedikit lebih ribet jika dibanding bank di atas. Kita harus membuat surat permohonan dulu kepada pimpinan cabang bahwa kita memohon untuk pembuatan surat referensi bank yang akan diajukan untuk pembuatan visa apa, ke kedutaan apa dan untuk tujuan apa.
Suratnya boleh ditulis tangan, bisa dibuat langsung di depan customer servicenya juga. Waktu pemrosesan surat ini sekitar 3-5 hari kerja dengan biaya 150.000. Tiga kali lipat yang di atas.
Saya tetap memilih melampirkan surat dari BNI bukan karena kebanyakan uang juga. BNI sudah jadi tabungan utama saya sejak kuliah. Aliran rekening keluar masuk tiga bulan terakhirnya pun lebih meyakinkan BNI. Jadi, saya memilih buat dua surat.
Dana di masing-masing rekening ngga banyak-banyak banget. Total keduanya kurang lebih 60 juta dengan rasio di BNI sedikit lebih banyak. Dana di BCA saya itu dana titipan yang saya pinjam dari Ayah saya.
6. Rekening koran tiga bulan terakhir
Ini adalah catatan keluar masuk uang kita selama tiga bulan terakhir. Untuk BCA biaya print perlembar Rp 2500 sedangkan BNI Rp 1000/lembar.
7. Asuransi perjalanan
Saya membeli asuransi dar AXA Mandiri. Datang langsung ke AXA Tower di Kuningan City lantai 18. Biayanya 59 USD untuk asuransi keluarga selama 9-10 hari perjalanan. Waktu hari saya datang jika dikurskan dalam rupiah Rp 764.000.
8. Pas Foto 3,5×4,5 sebanyak 2 buah
Kami buat foto ini di Mata Foto Matraman. Biaya cetak dan sebagainya plus CD untuk tiga foto adalah Rp 180.000.
9. Paspor baru yang masih berlaku minimal 8 bulan
10. Paspor lama, jika ada.
11. Kartu keluarga
12. Slip gaji 3 bulan terakhir (optional)
Slip gaji ini sifatnya optional. Tidak semua yang pergi adalah karyawan yang punya slip gaji setiap bulan, bukan? Termasuk saya. Jadi, waktu pendaftaran online saya pilih di kolom pekerjaan adalah freelancer. Meskipun saya bukan benar-benar freelancer juga. Di ringkasan data diri setelah selesai mengisi semua item pendaftaran online akan tercantum di bagian pekerjaan ‘liberal profession’.
Menurut petugas TLS Contactnya pun ini tidak terlalu diperlukan selama ada rekening koran. Tapi, seandainya memang ada, akan lebih baik lagi. Di lembar dokumen ceklis saya dicantumkan bahwa slip gaji tiga bulan terakhir ‘Not available’ agar tidak dianggap dokumen yang kurang.
Untuk anak dibawah umur seperti Langit juga harus ditambahkan :
– Akte kelahiran dalam bahasa Inggris. (Sekarang akte sudah ada bahasa Inggris di bawahnya, jadi ngga perlu repot cari penerjemah)
– Surat nikah kedua orang tua.
Semua dokumen ini perlu disiapkan asli dan fotokopinya. Yang berbentuk surat-surat seperti referensi bank dan rekening koran hanya satu aplikasi saja yang perlu asli, sedangkan anggota pemohon lain tinggal lampirkan fotokopinya saja, tentu kalau mendaftar sebagai satu keluarga ya dalam pendaftaran online.
Hampir ngga ada yang sulit sebenarnya kalau melihat dari daftar dokumen yang diminta. Cuma mungkin cukup memakan waktu persiapannya. Terutama kalau untuk saya tentang uang yang akan tercetak di rekening koran.
Saya membuat janji untuk memasukan berkas setelah semua dokumen saya lengkap kecuali surat referensi bank. Ketika mendaftar online, paling tidak paspor, tiket, penginapan, dan asuransi perjalanan sudah ada, baru prosesnya dinyatakan selesai.
Dokumen hanya bisa dimasukkan ketika kita sudah mendaftar online. Setelah semua sudah kita isi, untuk semua anggota keluarga yang akan berangkat, baru muncul pilihan kedatangan untuk pengumpulan berkas.
Pilihan tanggal ini hanya akan keluar jika sudah mencapai 90 hari dari tanggal kedatangan kita di negara Schengen. 90 hari persis ya. Bukan berdaasarkan tanggal yang sama, seperti mau berangakat tanggal 1 Oktober berarti sudah bisa pilih tanggal 1 Agustus.
Saya memilih tanggal 30 Agustus jam 9.00 pagi. Memilih pagi dikarenakan seandainya ada dokumen saya yang kurang, saya masih punya waktu melengkapi atau memeperbaiki di hari yang sama agar tidak harus membuat janji lagi.
Saya datang bertiga dengan waktu yang agak mepet. Sampai sana jam 8.45, setelah disuruh tunggu sebentar kemudian masuk lalu diarahkan ke sebuah loket. Tulisan di loketnya ‘Pengambilan Paspor’ tapi disana juga sekaligus tempat kita meminta kunci loker untuk menyimpan semua gadget yang kita bawa. Hp, tablet, ipad, tidak boleh masuk.
Setelah selesai, ada gerbang kecil dimana kita diminta paspor untuk verifikasi tanggal kedatangan. Setelah itu kita menunggu di ruang tunggu, sampai nama kita muncul di layar TV untuk masuk ke counter mana. Layar TV ini hanya menampilkan tanpa suara. Jadi harus diperhatikan.
Pada hari saya mengurus visa, keadaannya cukup penuh tapi ngga sesak. Kebanyakan orang mengurus melalui agen. Ketika nama kita muncul di layar, jika kita mengurus melalui agen, hanya agennya yang maju ke counter. Karena saya mengurus pribadi, saya maju dan duduk, sementara Pak Dokter berdiri gendong Langit.
Saya ngga banyak ditanya oleh petugas counter yang saya dapat. Pengecekan dilakukan cepat dan teliti. Setelah ketiga bundel berkas selesai diberi tanda bintang ungu, lalu diberikan cetakan bahwa dokumen kami semua lengkap. Keluar dari counter, dada saya ringan sekali.
Setelah itu kami menuju kasir untuk melakukan pembayaran. Total untuk dua orang berdasarkan kurs hari itu adalah Rp 2.592.000. Anak di bawah umur 6 tahun masih gratis.
Setelah loket kasir lanjut untuk pengambilan data biometrik yaitu foto dan sidik jari. Prosesnya hanya sekitar lima menit. Setelah itu selesai deh semua.
Semua petugas dari sekuriti sampai agen-agennya semua ramah. Sangat membantu dan jauh dari bikin takut.
Saya sampai di kantor TLS Contact Menara Anugrah lantai 3 jam 8.45, saya keluar dari basemen parkiran mobil jam 10.20. Jadi kurang lebih semua prosesnya 1,5 jam termasuk waktu nunggu. Bisa lebih cepat tentunya.
Review ini sebenarnya cukup banyak, cuma rata-tata di tahun 2013-2014. Selama beberapa bulan ini saya baca satu per satu.
Tidak seperti review lainnya, saya ngga menyebutkan ke negara mana saya akan pergi. TLS Contact adalah agen visa untuk beberapa negara Schengen. Untuk jelasnya negara mana aja, boleh dibuka websitenya.
Masih belum boleh disebut karena buat saya ini lebih dari sekedar pergi atau berlibur. Ada cerita panjang sampai akhirnya saya bisa ada dan melakukan yang saya lakukan hari ini.
Mungkin setelah visa ditempel di paspor saya, baru insya Allah mungkin ada cerita lain.
Semoga cukup membantu bagi yang mau mengurus visa di TLS Contact dalam waktu dekat ya.
Keputusan visa bisa dibaca di sini
Review lain tentang Paris trip :
Review : Air BnB 42 Boulevard Saint Germain, Paris
Lanjutan dari post ini
Sore hari sehari sebelum 9 Dzulhijjah, semua calon jamaah haji bergerak ke Arafah. Kami sudah disuruh siap-siap dari setelah zuhur dan ternyata baru benar-benar berangkat jam 5.30. Sabar adalah salah satu hal yang paling wajib dibawa dalam menjalankan rangkaian ibadah Haji ini. Sabar nunggu, sabar antri, sabar semuanya.
Sampai Arafah, kita akan ditempatkan di tenda-tenda sesuai dengan kelompok negara dan Kloter. Di dalam tenda hanya ada karpet yang bisa digunakan untuk rebahan, tentu berbagi dengan jamaah lain. Kamar mandi di Arafah cukup banyak dan masih bisa saya tolerir.
Wukuf dilakukan pada tanggal 9 Dzulhijjah sampai matahari terbenam. Ini seperti berdiam diri, memperbanyak doa dan zikir, tapi juga diselingi sedikit ceramah. Tiap kloter bisa berbeda-beda. Dianjurkan doa sebanyak-banyaknya ketika wukuf karena iu adalah salah satu waktu yang mustajab.
Menjelang maghrib, perjalanan dilanjutkan ke Muzdalifah. Jarak antara Arafah dan Muzdalifah cukup dekat tapi jamaah Indonesia kebanyakan naik bis yang disediakan. Banyak jamaah dari negara lain yang berjalan kaki dari Arafah ke Muzdalifah. Memang yang dicontohkan Rasulullah berjalan kaki, tapi tetap bisa disesuaikan.
Di Muzdalifah hanya bermalam, yang maksudnya adalah kita harus sampai disana sebelum tengah malam, dan lewat tengah malam, kita akan melanjutkan perjalanan ke Mina. Di Muzdalifah ini juga kita harus mengumpulkan batu yang akan digunakan untuk melempar Jumroh di Mina.
Muzdalifah seperti lapangan besar yang berisi manusia. Buat saya, mungkin ini gambaran paling nyata ketika nanti kita dikumpulkan di padang Mahsyar. Di bawah langit Muzdalifah, pemandangan lautan manusia ini benar-benar buat saya merinding.
Lewat tengah malam, bis-bis yang akan membawa jamaah ke Mina sudah menunggu. Di sini, seluruh jamaah berbaris menunggu gilirannya naik ke bis. Momen ini buat saya terasa seperti saat kita akan menunggu dihisab. Mungkin agak.sulit dimengerti, tapi coba bayangkan ratusan ribu (ato jutaan?) manusia dari berbagai belahan bumi, berkumpul di satu tempat, mengantri untuk diangkut ke tujuan berikutnya, tanpa bisa kita bedakan asalnya. Di situ saya merasa kalo ini yang dimaksud semua manusia sama di hadapan Allah. Dengan pakaian ihram yang nyaris ngga berbeda, semua manusia ini benar-benar terlihat sama.
Mina merupakan hal terberat yang saya lewati selama proses ibadah haji. Ini yang akan saya jadikan alasan utama kenapa haji akan lebih baik dilakukan ketika muda.
Di Mina kita akan tinggal beberapa hari untuk melontar jumroh. Kalo wukuf dan mabit di Muzdalifah memang harus dilaksanakan sendiri, melontar jumroh adalah ibadah yang bisa diwakilkan, meskipun tetap di bermalam di Mina. Saya mewakilkan ibu saya karena kondisinya tidak memungkinkan untuk berjalan jauh.
Tempat dari tenda ke tempat melontar jumroh cukup lumayan jauh. Mungkin sekitar enam kilo bolak balik dan itu dilakukan selama tiga kali dalam tiga hari. Waktu yang paling dianjurkan adalah setelah matahari terbit agak tinggi, sekitar jam 7-8. KBIH saya memilih untuk lebih awal karena mempertimbangkan kondisi jamaahnya yang kebanyakan orang tua yang akan sulit berdesakan dan menahan panas matahari. Kami biasanya melontar sebelum subuh.
Jika menilai hanya dari ritualnya, ngga ada sama sekali yang berat dari Haji. Wukuf hanya berdiam diri duduk dan berdoa. Mabit di Muzdalifah hanya duduk, boleh kalo mau tiduran kaya saya, pake tiker lipet di atas bebatuan, dan jangan lupa mencari batu, Mina hanya bermalam dan melontarkan batu-batu yang kita kumpulkan ke tiga tiang Jumroh. Thawaf hanya berputar mengelilingi Ka’bah, Sa’i hanya berlari kecil dan sebenernya bisa jalan juga sesuai kemampuan, Tahalul hanya menggunting rambut, yang jumlahnya ngga seberapa.
Semua ‘hanya’. Yang membuat hal-hal tersebut cukup berat adalah proses yang harus dilewati untuk melakukannya. Buat saya, pengalaman di Mina cukup menguji kesabaran.
Sejauh-jauhnya perjalanan dari tenda ke tempat Jumroh bolak balik, ngga seberapa dibanding kan apa yang harus dilewati seharian di tenda. Tenda di Mina (yang saya dapat) cukup sesak untuk dibagi dengan jumlah anggota rombongan saya. Masing-masing hanya bisa cukup rebahan dalam posisi terlentang tanpa bisa hadap kanan kiri. Tendanya ada pendingin tapi ngga berpengaruh banyak karena orangnya pun cukup banyak. Cuaca di Mina pun sangat panas. Siang bisa mencapai 45-47 derajat celcius.
Saya selalu meletakan handuk basah di kepala saya ketika akan ambil wudhu di bawah. Selesai ambil wudhu dan balik ke tenda, handuk sudah kering. Wudhu lima menit bisa bikin handuk basah jadi kering? Tentu tidak.
Jangan bayangkan seperti wudhu di mesjid yang cuma lima menit selesai. Kalo waktu zuhur itu jam 12.00, maka di Mina sebaiknya antri wudhu itu dilakukan dari jam 11.15. Iya, 45 menit. Apalagi kalo ditambah mau buang air kecil dulu. Antri kamar mandi di Mina adalah hal yang paling menyeramkan selama ibadah haji.
Bukan sekedar antrinya, kamar mandinya pun sama menyeramkannya. Kotor, bau, buat yang jijikan dan paling cerewet sama kamar mandi kaya saya, ngga ada yang menyiksa dari ini. Lebih parah lagi, banyak juga jamaah dari negara kita yang yah… sulit juga. Antri segitu panjang, bisa-bisanya nyuci baju di dalem selama 20 menit!
Ini ngebuat yang antri pun ngga sabar, dan melakukan hal yang sama menyeramkannya. Buang air kecil di tempat wudhu. Saya rasanya tiap waktu solat pengen nangis sekali. Sampai tempat wudhunya pun bau pesing. Dan kami harus bertahan di Mina selama tiga hari. Salah satu tiga hari terpanjang di hidup saya.
Kembali ke Mekkah, saya dan rombongan memilih berisirahat dulu dan baru menyelesaikan Thawaf Ifadah dan Sa’i keesokan harinya. Setelah lima hari perjalanan, berdesak-desakan di Masjidil Haram bukan pilihan yang bagus. Kami menyelesaikan Thawaf dan Sa’i keesokan harinya setelah sholat subuh. Saya dan ibu saya memisahkan diri supaya bisa lebih santai. Kami mulai thawaf sekitar jam enam dan baru selesai sa’i menjelang zuhur. Selama itu karena kondisi yang cukup penuh dan kondisi ibu saya yang mengharuskan kami berjalan lebih lambat dan banyak beristirahat.
Hari-hari selanjutnya adalah liburan full yang hanya diisi dengan makan, tidur, ke mesjid, belanja, jajan, ibadah lain, tidur lagi, dan seterusnya. Paling sama nyuci baju ya .
Untuk jamaah haji DKI, Pemdanya cukup berbaik hati karena makan siang dan makan malam jamaah hajinya ditanggung. Ini tidak semua. Jamaah haji daerah lain rata-rata entah masak sendiri atau cari makan di luar. Bahkan Bekasi pun tidak dapat makan.
Selain makan, jamaah haji DKI juga mendapat fasilitas bis khusus yang membawa kita ke Masjidil Haram dari maktab. Tinggal tunjukan kartu pengenal haji, bisa naik. Bis Indonesia juga ada tapi lebih penuh. Bis DKI ini kosong, bersih, dan nyaman. Beberapa kali petugasnya pun mau mengangkut jamaah haji darerah lain karena bisnya masih kosong. Pemberhentian bis DKI ini pun lebih strategis, yaitu di pintu utama Masjidil Haram. Sedangkan bis Indonesia lewat pintu Sa’i di bagian belakang.
Kalo urusan belanja, orang Indonesia emang ngga ada lawan. Seakan-akan uangnya ngga habis-habis,hehe. Karena sudah tiga kali kesana, saya ngga banyak belanja printilan-printilan. Saya dan ibu saya sudah tau mau beli apa dimana. Oleh-oleh parfum dan sajadah ada toko khusus langganan kami di Hilton. Harga sedikit di atas, tapi kualitas dan model jauh dari pasaran. Teman sekamar saya senang sekali waktu dibawa ke Museum. Belanjanya kalap. Bahkan balik lagi sendiri sesudahnya.
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Satu hal yang agak memprihatinkan, meskipun setiap tahun jamaah Indonesia itu yang terbesar, tapi ngga sebanding sama fasilitas yang didapat. Seperti tenda waktu di Mina. Punya jamaah Indonesia itu jauh, panas, dan yah seperti yang saya ceritakan di atas. Waktu saya lewat tendanya Malaysia, duhh, enakk bangett. Deket dari tempat jumroh, dingin, luas, makannya prasmanan, dan saya yakin kamar mandinya ngga separah punya kita. Di Mekkah pun sama, Maktab jamaah Indonesia rata-rata cukup jauh. Saya untuk sampai ke Masjidil Haram kalo naik bis Indonesia harus ganti dua kali. Sedangkan maktab jamaah Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore itu semua bisa ditempuh dengan jalan kaki lima menit. Benar-benar di belakang Masjidil Haram.
Buat saya ini penting ya. Pengennya pasti selama kurang lebih sebulan di Mekkah bisa memaksimalkan ibadah di Masjidil Haram. Kalo bisa lima waktu semua di Masjid. Bisa thawaf di antara waktu solat. Jarang yang dekat sangat membantu. Jarak maktab saya dan mesjid membuat saya ngga memungkinkan untuk solat lima waktu tiap hari.
Jadwal yang bisa saya efektifkan adalah jadi berangkat sebelum subub untuk Tahajud sekalian nunggu subuh. Setelah subuh saya thawaf sampe waktu dhuha. Setelah dhuha saya pulang untuk beres-beres, nyuci, dan istirahat. Zuhur saya lewatkan. Sebelum Ashar saya brangkat lagi untuk ashar sampai maghrib. Sambil nunggu sambil ngaji atau ngeliatin Ka’bah aja. Setelah maghrib saya pulang. Isya di rumah. Lho, ngga tanggung?
Iya emang tanggung. Tapi, saya udah dari ashar dan cukup cape kalo sampe isya. Setelah isya juga bisnya penuh sekali. Ibu saya pun udah nunggu di Maktab. Ibu saya karena sakit, lebih banyak di Maktab. Dia pasti nunggu saya makan malem. Jadi, itu semaksimal yang bisa saya usahakan dengan jarak maktab yang saya dapat.
Saya sehari-hari ke Masjid kalo ngga sama teman sekamar saya terpaksa sendiri. Supaya ngga kliatan sendiri, saya suka nguntit aja di belakang jamaah yang gerombol. Karena emang ngga nyaman terlihat sendiri disana. Tapi, kalo ngga gitu saya bisa ngga ke mesjid terus. Ketika udah sampai mesjid, udah ngga gitu masalah karena ngga terlihat. Justru sendiri lebih gampang nyelip ke depan cari tempat. Target saya itu tiap solat adalah saya mau lihat Ka’bah. Sebisa mungkin saya akan maju ke depan dimana Ka’bah terlihat dengan jelas. Rugi jauh-jauh cuma liat tembok atau orang.
Waktu shalat Jum’at adalah yang terpadat selama di Mekkah. Saya hanya ikut dua kali. Setelah yang kedua sangat trauma karena hampir kehabisan nafas berdesakan waktu keluar Jumatan. Betul-betul padat dan mengerikan. Saya hampir pingsan kalo ngga ditarik oleb seorang bapak-bapak keluar kerumunan. Berdesakan dengan jamaah Afrika yang tinggi dan besarnya berapa kali lipat saya bukan pengalaman yang menyenangkan.
Oya, memakai alas kaki yang nyaman itu wajib hukumnya kalo naik ONH biasa. Supaya kaki ngga lecet karena harus banyak jalan. Jangan sekali-kali pake sendal jepit kaya mau sholat ke mesjid dekat rumah. Pake yang sol tebel dan nyaman. Crocs dan sejenisnya ngga disarankan. Mahal dikit ngga apa. Buat ibadah juga. Kalo kaki lecet malah ngga bisa ibadah karena ngga bisa jalan. Lebih banyak ruginya.
Sampai tahun 2008-2009, waktu tunggu haji masih sekitar 3-4 tahun dari dapat nomer porsi sampai waktu berangkat, dengan ONH biasa. Kalo pake yang plus bisa tahun itu juga. Mulai 2012, waktu tunggu DKI sudah jadi … 10 tahun. Sekarang terakhir saya dengar sampai 15-16 tahun. Bahkan ONH plus pun pake waktu tunggu sekarang. Mungkin sekitar 5-7 tahun, jelas dengan biaya yang lebih mahal.
Hal ini juga jadi alasan Haji, atau daftar Haji sebaiknya dilakukan sedini mungkin. Dengan waktu tunggu yang segitu lamanya, sedih bukan kalau kita punya kemudahan dari segi umur dan rejeki tapi ngga pernah sampai kesana untuk Haji. Cuti Haji di Indonesia ngga usah dipusingin, hampir pasti dikasih Haji itu sangat fleksibel dan bisa dinego.
Ketika kita udah punya 25 juta cash, bisa langsung daftar ke bank untuk buka rekening Haji dan langsung urus ke kanwil depag di domisili kita untuk dapat nomer porsi. Berangkat naik ONH plus atau biasa tetap harus dapat nomor porsi dulu. Ngga masalah ketika di antara waktu tunggu kita punya rejeki lebih mau pergi dengan ONH plus supaya berangkat lebih cepat. Juga lebih nyaman harusnya.
Dua puluh lima juta ngga sebanyak dan sesulit itu kalo memang sudah niat. Kaya harga tiket ke Eropa ngga promo naik maskapai yang bagus. Disegerakan ketika kaki masih tegak berdiri dan langkah masih kuat berlari. Urusan jadi berangkat kapan serahkan sama Yang Mengundang. Yang penting kita sudah usahakan apa yang jadi bagian kita.
Semoga hati, rejeki, umur, dan langkah kita dimudahkan untuk menggenapkan rukun Islam yang terakhir ini.
Selamat berhaji untuk semua jamaah haji yang berangkat tahun ini. Semoga Allah mudahkan selamat sampai kembali ke tanah air dan mendapatkan haji mabrur. Amin.
A Penny for My Pensieve 