ABF | ExpatWoman.com
 

ABF

142
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 July 2011 - 20:20
All the mattresses from Intercoil can be made to the size you want. We bought ours from there recently. During their sales their prices are the same as Ikea but twice the quality!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 July 2011 - 16:34
Ooooooh! :) time to start doing a rain dance to see if it will sway this way! Either way, I'll look like an idiot and get rain which will make me smile...or...I'll just look like an idiot, look in the mirror which will also make me smile!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 July 2011 - 16:31
Rents coming down, people getting jobs, let's hope the threads just keep getting better on here for the rest of the year! Its nice to have positive things, especially over the summer! Congrats!!! :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 July 2011 - 16:21
Seriously?! I was just there and it was clear! It's sooo hot today it would be amazing to have a downpour! Even just a minuscule one! :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 July 2011 - 16:19
As SSarah says, it's very easy to sort out the paper work needed from this side. EK seem to be relatively cheap with their costs but just bear in mind that they do not carry certain breeds (flat faced)! There is also a list of dogs that by law are not allowed to be brought into the UAE. Hope your new pup doesn't fall under those! best of luck with his or her move!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 July 2011 - 20:30
IF you do end up going then I'd recommend you stay at a hotel like the Crown Plaza. It's in the city but kind of tucked away on it's own in nice green grounds. They have a nice little swimming pool and spa etc if your DH won't mind looking after the little ones for an hour or so. The monkey temple is only 10, 15 min away so you can do the touristy thing for a couple of hours. It's not extremely kid friendly as there are lots of steps up to the temples but the monkeys are at the bottom kind of just hangigng around. There's a nice view of the city valley. If you are up for it and you want the get away then it will be a mini adventure.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 July 2011 - 21:34
Thanks Tally-ho! Amazingly that song can actually be downloaded from iTunes so it's also a strong contestant now! First in line is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szka1ZXCM_U&feature=youtube_gdata_player Then your suggestion :) Now...just gotta ho get my self lots of cardboards, write some things on it and film all around Dubai in some random, crazy locations! If only I could sky dive! Lol
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 July 2011 - 20:39
Ha ha I know Crystil lol. That's why I'm trying to keep it cute. She'll still cry like a baby though! She always does! Sent her a 30 second clip of me just saying a quick hi to her at Ski Dubai just as I went down the slope and she cried for weeks! Drove my dad crazy as she watched it over and over again lol. Thanks for the help all! :) I'll let you know how it turns out...
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 July 2011 - 20:25
Thanks MMopp! That's also a great choice! There are so many songs but my mind just goes blank when I try to remember any! Typical eh? I knew you would all be able to help me. Also just found the one I was considering... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjBOv-I5fmg&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 July 2011 - 20:16
Thanks Crystil! I saw that one earlier :) Iv been looking on YouTube for a video of this cute little boy singing a song for his mom. It's the whole alphabet sung kind of like how Mikael Bubble sings L.O.V.E. Must be an old song but I just can't seem to find it. Pilotprincess, haven't heard that song in yeeeeears but might have to keep that as an option! Thanks for the ideas so far!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 July 2011 - 19:41
Hi all, it's my dear mom's birthday coming up next month and I would like to make her a special package to send to her in Brazil! I miss her so much and sadly haven't been able to see her since last August! (sniff sniff) She just LOVES getting photos and little videos from us so Iv decided to be a little different with her gift this year. I'm sending a nice photo book with her favorite photos of our family, a DVD of my brother and I graduating from kindergarten (was an old VHS that she thought she lost years back and doesn't know I now have it!) and...this is the part I need help with...a home made music video of me here in Dubai. Something silly that will make her smile! I initially thought of just having a nice song playing in the background and me, standing in different parts of the city holding up posters with words on it. Do you get what I'm getting at? :) I can't seem to find a fitting song though! Something sweet, with nice words, old or new, anything! Please help :) If it turns out good I might, just maybe let you all see it lol THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 22:17
Just wanted to add that the drive is around 450 to 500km so you would have to decide if you wold like to spend a day driving there and back, otherwise you can fly!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 22:10
I'm sure where ever you end up you will all have an amazing time but apart from wanting to be closer to the bush is there a reason you have chosen to base yourselfs in Jberg instead of heading further down to the coast? Cape Town is just AMAZING especially during that time of year. There are so many nice beaches as you drive out of town and so much for the kids to do, like sun bathing with the penguins at Simons Town! Or you could head in land to the wine routes. Anyways, from Jburg you could rent a car and drive up to the Kruger National Park and see the big 5! there are different types of accommodation to choose from. Check this site out http://www.krugerpark.co.za/
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 July 2011 - 23:26
Yes it is MM. It all happened 3 years ago. You should get a summary of it on wikipedia. It's a very sad story. Makes make me wonder how much the press have spun this though. Up until jus a few hours ago every one was convinced she was guilty, even her parents!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 July 2011 - 23:07
Dial A Nail salon have a whole team and that's what they specialize in. Their number is 044 534280
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 July 2011 - 22:37
Makes you wonder though! The jury didn't take long at all to come out with the verdict! Must have been prety clear, guilty or not guilty. And to think that her defense attorney is only 2 years out of law school! There are so many unanswered questions here. Her parents got up and left the room. They also believed she was guilty! Unberleavable
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 July 2011 - 22:26
You know what, I'm guessing her troubles have only just began! There is NO way she'll be able to live a normal life after this. Even if she has been found not guilty by the courts I'm sure the rest of the world will still blame her
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 July 2011 - 22:24
Can you believe it? She wasn't even found guilty on the child abuse chargers! So what happens now?! Will anyone be held responsible for her death? So so sad!!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 June 2011 - 22:37
Thanks for sharing!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 June 2011 - 23:01
That guy could have shouted over me as much as he wanted. As I said, I was about to ask him what his deal was. What upset me the most was the way he was so demeaning to the girl behind the counter. He literally walked in there like he owned not only that place, but the whole universe!! That's what I detest about some of the expats we come across here. We all come across them on a daily basis...wether it's the ladies who drives her 4X4 twice over the speed limit in a residential area who clearly thinks her life is much more important than anyone elses, or the people who think they have the right to belittle other nationalities all because their own pure ignorance or lazynes...the list just goes on and on in Dubai
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 June 2011 - 21:25
I was actually just about to ask him if there was any particular reason why he was being so rude! (with a very sweet, calm voice) but the salon owner who was there at the time actually politely asked him to talk to her out side. She clearly didn't like the way he was raising his voice inside the calm salon. Doubt she said anything personal to him though (or maybe she did). They came back in for him to pay for the vouchers with a calmer but still arrogant air to him. Wonder if he noticed how the attendand had actually blushed because of him! Tbh the sad thing is that these workers probably become used to this to a certain extent? I just hope they are clever enough to realize that not all of us are like that!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 June 2011 - 16:07
Guess I'm just too sensitive and unrealistic :( Was feeling fine until this idiot wandered in and made my view of the world all dark and horrible again lol Hope your mood improves too jilp :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 June 2011 - 15:18
Just thought... If it's available on prescription in the UK then maybe you might get some here at the hospital pharmacy. Or at a cosmetic clinic? Worth a shot?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 June 2011 - 15:16
I THINK I saw some in GO Sports just last week. I could be completely wrong though so maybe worth a call before going there.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 June 2011 - 11:35
We used Jamal from Golden Scissors for all the curtains in our place and we were super happy with him. Our neighbors ended up doing the same. All in all he really seems to be good at what hi does!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 13:23
Eeeek! No insurance! Let's hope it's going to be a straight forward flight. But just the sound of finding a company to do it already sounds pretty expensive! Best of luck to them and safe flight :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 13:02
Ooh I see :) Well, I can't think of any companies that can do that but maybe the hospitals or private clinics will be able to help Im sure they accompany people all the time so will know about supplies etc!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 12:58
Just saw a deal on Cobone that has Lazer hair removal at a very well known clinic in Jumeirah for half price. Not sure if it's fir women only though? Worth a check!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 12:51
The place to start is definitely with the airline itself. Call both for advice/rerecord info and costs. I'm sure there will be a big difference between the two! May I ask if it is just a medical escort that will be required on board or oxygen bottles and other equipments such as battery operated wheelchair... The person being escorted will have to have a letter from their doctor AND a letter/clearance from the airline doctor. They will probably have to go see the airine doctor OR depending on his or her diagnosis the Airline doctor will have to go through their full medical file. This is something that the airlines take VERY seriously. The crew on that day will be briefed on it and the passengers location, what their history is etc. The captain will have to know of their location also and what they are carrying (O2). As for added costs, it all depends on how many seats you will be occupying. Will be patient have to lay flat? Best of luck and hope it's a smooth flight! It may seem daunting but I'm sure the chosen airline will assist you in every step of the way! (edited for typing mistakes :) ) <em>edited by ABF on 22/06/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 13:15
If you ladies would like to watch something completely different but VERY interesting and addictive there is a Brazilian soap opera/series that was initially aired 2 or 3 years ago! It's called "India, a love story". It was produced by an all Brazilian cast. All the actors are Brazilian, including the ones playing the Indian characters! The story line follows families in Brazil and in India and eventually the two sides meet. I watched the whole thing (a year long series) on YouTube. It's obviously in Portuguese but they now have it subtitled in English and also dubded in a couple of other languages. They're even showing it in an Aranic channel here! The story shows the typical day to day lives of Braziliasn including some pretty amazing dramas and it also follows a couple of families in India. I was HOOKED for the whole year! Each episode is 40 min, shown 6 days a week! I found all the episodes on YouTube! Check out the clip! It shows a little of the story line that takes place in India. You girls would probably enjoy learning more about the Brazilians though! Boy oh boy does the plot thicken! Oh and they even shot something in Dubai! Makes me want to watch it all over again just thinking about it! And I'm not even the soap opera type! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2edokb2cU3I&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 June 2011 - 12:50
The main thing to really work on is their grammar. At the beginning what I tried to do when speaking Portuguese was to try to directly translate it from English. Whilst studying in the UK I had even began thinking in English and not Portuguse. For some very strange reason, only when I became angry or upset about something would I blurt out in Portuguese! LOL So it's not like I had forgotten the language, but rather like I had to slip back into conversing as everyone else did. That also included new slang phrases etc! That's whyi guess it doesn't take long for it to come back. Be VERY active with their grammar. Get them to write letters to relatives back home, keep a diary in German, write book reviews or anything to send to grandparents about what they are learning in school. The more you can get them to write about their day to day things, conversations etc the easier it is for them to not loose their language flair. Hope that makes sense?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 June 2011 - 16:34
I wouldn't worry too much about them later on in life. As long as their language is sturdy enough now, and you carry on talking to them it will always be there, somewhere, just waiting to pop back at any point. My brother and I were born and raised in Brazil - Brazilian mother and English father. We lived there until we were 11 and 13 and then moved to the UK to finish our secondary education. We spoke a little English but nothing major as my dad is fluent in Portuguese. In just 4 years I sat our end of school exams (GCSE) and gained A* for both English Lanuage and literature. We were out of Brazil for 6 years before going back and I only ever spoke Portuguese to my mum. Even my brother and I at some point began only speaking to eachoter in English! Arriving in Brazil was daunting! I felt like a complete fake speaking my own mother tongue! BUT just 2 or 3 days later, it all came flooding back and I was back to normal in no time at all! It's now still the same, every time I go back, I'm super quiet for a day or two then it's all fine! Just keep doing what you already do! TV shows, books, music...it all helps! Not only for their language skills but also for their culture! Turned out I had to spend a lot more time learning how to Samba instead! Lol funny how concervitive my brother and I became after just a few years in boarding school! Oh and the best part about all this? Our accents are perfect in both languages! <em>edited by ABF on 17/06/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 June 2011 - 12:06
The Hallmark stores in the mall have this really nice A4 picture frame that has a little plaque on it that says "My first masterpiece". Just take an A4 paper, get some baby friendly paint from mother care or ELC and let your little one go crazy! It's looks great as it's a really nice frame.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 June 2011 - 19:57
We bought a car just over a month ago, set up Salik and have been paying/topping up as normal. Just yesterday we got a call from the ex-owner saying that even though he had cancelled his account he was still getting charged Salik! So this whole time they've been busy charging double every time we drive! Hope he manages to get it sorted. Glad it's not us who have to deal with it! Things like this just grind me up too much!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 June 2011 - 13:15
From the outside it looks like sheb eally loved her. They had a nice home, a great garden full of toys and doll houses for Caylee etc so what happened? Let's hope they get to the bottom of it
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 June 2011 - 13:02
It seems pretty obvious that she did it but how? Did she try to cover up a drowning? Did she snap and just completely loose it after finding her? That's what bothers me the most. What actually happen? Was it the duct tape? That morphed animation photo is just so gruesome! Do you think it's right for these court details to be made so public this way?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 June 2011 - 13:36
Hope you figure it all out soon :( could you maybe try to completely sterilize his bed and see if that helps? Wash all his sheets and mattress protector at the highest temp your machine has - 90 or 95 degrees. Freezing pillows over night will also kill anything that might be there! See if you can find a mosquito net somewhere and hang it over his bed before sun set as that's when most will come out. If you use a white net you can check it before his bed time to see if there are any on the inside. If all that seems a little too much, how about just putting on a all NATURAL mosquito repellent on him before bed time? Like Mozi Guard. I almost died when I was little as my parents had the house fumigated and it turned out I was pretty alergic to it! Despite being in a well ventilated area I never woke up from a nap but thankfully my dad checked on me at the right time just as I had stopped breathing! There are so many bad chemicals in those sprays, I'm surprised not many people have the same bad reactions to it!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 June 2011 - 13:17
Great post! Thanks for spreading a great article!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 June 2011 - 11:44
Ps: I have used them and they were great and very easy to deal with. DH called them to ask which hospital to go to and they gave him all the info. By the time we arrived at the hospital they had already received an email from the company saying that we were on our way and that we are covered. Also have a friend who was under the same plan and he was air lifted out of a mountain after a skiing holiday and it was all covered! Hospital stay, flight home with extra room, nurse company etc!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 June 2011 - 11:40
Are you able to get a letter from your doctor that you can send to a insurance company as a backup? Iv had the same problem and was told by my consultant back in the UK that as long as you've been in "remision" for a couple of years then the insurance companies don't regard it so much if it is backed up by a letter. Try IHI insurance. We are with them and they are very good. Especially the Anual Plan, much cheaper bought in US$. Just get in touch with who ever you would like to use and go through the fine print very carefully. Hope you have a wonderful honeymoon and good luck with finding an insurance company that works well for you!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 June 2011 - 11:32
How long are you staying for? You could always try the hotels at Disney Land HK! Im sure your baby would love tht! Not sure about the costs though :( but It's away from the chaos and pollution of the city and on the right side of town to the airport. We love Discovery Bay but not sure if there are any hotels there as it's mostly an expat town. One was suppose to be opening soon. Its lovely and green and has lots of restaurants etc. It's easy to get the ferry into Central from there as there is one every 20 min during peak time. The new hotel is actually right next to a new ferry dock too. Just a quick 20 min ride and you are town/Victoria peak area etc. If you want to check out something a little more quiet and traditional then catch a ferry to Peng Chau for a few hours. It's a lovely little village that's nice to walk around in. Sorry, I'm babbling on quite a bit here! Lol
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 June 2011 - 11:09
I try to google it to at least see photos but for some reason don't recal doing it this time. We should see if we can keep a thread going on here with those deals :(
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 June 2011 - 11:01
Eeek! Has anyone ever seen that movie "First born"? This is reminding me of it! This stressed out new mother had a similar problem with a doll. Eventually she snapped and in the middle of the night she got up to burry it in the forest. Woke up the next day feeling better until she when to pick her baby up and saw the doll laying there in the crib! She burried the wrong one! HORRIBLE movie!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 June 2011 - 10:53
For my aunt and uncle a couple of years ago I sent them 50 "Golden Tulips". Searched around online for florists and eventually found one that had a great offer. They were these beautiful yellow/golden colour and came in a fantastic vase. She split them up into lots of other vases and told us how nice it was to be reminded of it each time she walked in the different rooms around the house. On the card we wrote something like "One for every year of joy and happines". You could also try to have one of those photo book albums printed/made? My parents LOVE those. Had tears from them when they first saw it. Tricky part is getting photos from them without them knowing! Good luck with finding something and CONGRATS to your parents!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 June 2011 - 10:43
Oh no! Also bought the M bath for there and was hoping it was going to be ok :( is it even worth going to? Haven't been to Karisma but will ask a friend who has
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 June 2011 - 00:27
Fear not as it is there! You have to log back into MEOW, click on your application and click on the number. If I remember correctly it's in blue? It doesn't actually look like a link which is why it's easy to miss but it IS there :) All you have to do then is print it and that's it! Imported both a dog and a cat ourselves just 3 months ago and thanks to that site it was a breeze! Let me know if you need anymore help! <em>edited by ABF on 07/06/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 June 2011 - 17:09
Have also been wondering the same! Gave all my originals to (who I thought was a good) friend who was applying for a business license for a nursery as I was going to help run the place and then *PUFF* gone! Lost! EVERYTHING! The irony of it all? She got the license! Didn't even give me a proper apology. According to her when you move houses, just half a mile down the road, "these things happen". I'm sure they do, as sadly as that has happened to both of you BUT to loose something so important that was borrowed!? I wish she had lost my passport instead! Would be much easier to replace! Hoping Karma will work her magic someday...
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 June 2011 - 15:34
Have you seen the ones at Pets Plus yet? Next to MOE. Was there a couple of days ago and the birds looked pretty happy. Very clean cages and its one of the most quiet/calm pet shops Iv ever been. I hate how chaotic PetZone is! One big blue/red parrot (pardon my ignorance for not knowing what type it was) was out of his cage and just wanted to climb onto us the whole timed whilst saying "hello!". They had an African Grey too but not sure how old it was. I don't know how they're treated in general and have no idea where they have come from but just wanted to share that they looked pretty happy. Wish the bigger puppies there had more space though :(
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 May 2011 - 10:48
If you REALLY get stuck and don't find any then don't panic! We also couldn't find any so in the end we ended up paying in cash - in Bahraini Dinars! Not even Dhs! Just try to take the exact money with you! I think it's Dhs400 per pet right? Good luck! I'm heading to our local post office later so if I see any I'll let you know!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 May 2011 - 20:49
Hi Eden, I teach it myself. Please drop me a line and I'll forward you some info on it. Same advice Iv sent to JessJan :)