(14 & 15. February 2023) From the tropical warmth of the Philippines to the snow-capped peaks of Austria, here’s my personal story of flying to Innsbruck for a short-term assignment—with a 9-hour layover in Dubai and a heart full of firsts.
All our bags are packed, we’re ready to go.
That line has been playing in my head since the beginning. It’s been a month since Papa died (He knew this trip was coming. He prayed for it. And maybe that’s what I’ve been holding onto all this time), and while the mood remains melancholic (because it’s his 1st month in heaven), I was also quietly excited as this was my first time going to Europe. Something I had dreamed of, but never planned for, because I knew I couldn’t afford such a trip. But then, God answers prayers. It was a mixed of emotions.
Departure from the Philippines
Fast forward to NAIA Airport, where we all met in the Emirates queue. It was exciting to meet these colleagues in person. We had probably crossed paths once during a town hall or at our VFS appointment, but this felt different—more real. These were the same people I’d be living with in the same apartment for the next six months.
Cruising Through the Air
It was a long 9-hour and 35-minute flight filled with many firsts and quiet realizations:
- First flight outside the Philippines without a father anymore.
- First time flying with Emirates.
- First long-haul flight, ever.
- First time in Dubai.
- First time in Europe.
Arrival in Dubai, UAE
We arrived in Dubai late at night. Thanks to Emirates for the complimentary e-visa assistance, hotel stay, and dinner and breakfast buffet.
The twist? We rented a car for $100 (split between four people for three hours) and managed to tour some of Dubai’s landmarks—no traffic, no crowds.
Tip: If you’re flying with Emirates and have a long layover in Dubai, check their website for details on the complimentary e-visa, hotel room, and buffet access. It’s worth it! For Visa & Hotel Complementary (with Buffet), read more at Dubai Connect.
I’ll probably visit Dubai again, as a 5-hour trip in this beautiful city wasn’t enough to fully enjoy and seize our desert moments.
From the Desert to Snow-Capped Dreams
The next leg was a 7-hour morning flight. From the deserts of the UAE to the snow-capped peaks of Europe—it felt like a dream. As someone who grew up in the tropics, seeing the Alps from the plane was nothing short of magical. A dream come true.
The feeling was surreal. It was my first time seeing these beautiful snow-capped mountains. I couldn’t contain my happiness; but at the same time, who am I telling all this to, now that Papa is already gone? It was a mix of emotions.
Munich to Innsbruck
Finally—Europe. Touchdown in Munich. Immigration checked all our documents: passports, accommodation details, and health insurance. All went smoothly.
That’s when we met Nadia and Lisa. Our group moved in a convoy on a nearly 2-hour scenic drive from Munich to Innsbruck. I didn’t expect Innsbruck to have such breathtaking alpine views—I honestly didn’t know it looked so much like Switzerland (at least in the pictures), and we were all amazed.
What made it even better was the sense of camaraderie. We had only been together for 24 hours, but it already felt like we were part of something special.
Our Accommodation in Innsbruck:
Later, I realized that we were surrounded by beautiful mountains, literally situated in a valley. This is what our accommodation looked like: we occupied three ‘Tops’ (apartments), and each Top had five rooms. We also had one small common area where we usually hung out, ate, and spent time talking with each other.
Looking back, I can say that we were in a truly beautiful neighborhood.
First things first: The apartment was empty when we arrived, but Nadja had already bought tables and chairs for us. We were so tired that day that Yna and Mark decided to just buy pizza and noodles to end the day.
Registration
The next day, we went to the Magistrat der Stadt Innsbruck (Rathausgalerie 1, 6020 Innsbruck, 1st floor). Make sure to get the required document from your landlord to submit beforehand. We brought our passports, proof of address, visa, and passport-sized photos.
Since we were going to be working in Innsbruck for six months, we also submitted our documents to receive a work ID, which served as our main form of identification throughout our stay because our visa was only valid for six months.
After 10 days, we received our IDs—and just like that, we were ready to start work.
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