Arch | ExpatWoman.com
 

Arch

Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 11 July 2013 - 11:28
If your husband is the sponsor and your maid falls pregnant, then he will be held accountable. . Is this hearsay or is there some actual law saying the employer is punished if the maid falls pregnant ?
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 July 2013 - 15:55
You pay roughly the same in monthly installments and end up with a saleable asset at the end of it. If you're only here another year max, you may end up in negative equity as cars lose a lot of value as soon as you drive out of the showroom. Good luck. The 20% deposit system helps in avoiding -ve equity If you pay 20% down, and have a 4 year plan, after 1 year, you will have paid 40% already, and most cars unless heavily used, dont lose more than 40% in a year.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 July 2013 - 14:55
Ford offers free service till 60,000 km on all cars and nowadays a number of brands will offer free services for varying periods. If you buy a new car you are unlikely t pay for breakdown anytime soon If you get a smallish car for~60,000, that will mean a downpayment of 12k, and a monthly instalment of ~ 1100 over 4 years, car loan rates are ~2.5-3% nowadays. So with the downpayment paid, you are looking at almost half of what you would pay with a lease.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 July 2013 - 12:01
Actually, around 10 years back there was a law/rule that men caught harassing women would have their pics published in newspapers and it happened for some time. Then suddenly it stopped.....
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 July 2013 - 11:19
The answer is simple, cover up! I know lots "say" I do cover up but there is a BIG difference between covering up wearing clothes that fit and squashing yourself into tight tshirts or "maxi dresses" These threads always seem to happen in the summer not in the winter time when people dress more sensibly. edited by Captaincrunch on 08/07/2013 Thats BS. I have friends who wear full , loose Abaya who have been harassed by men
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 July 2013 - 11:17
Its unfortunate that we are hearing defences of those poor souls who are only harassing a mother with a baby in a pram because they are not sure whether she is a WG or not. As always, those men doing the harassing are blameless and it is only because they are confused as to who is "available" and who it not that they are acting the way they are. If they want girls like that, they can go to bars with "reputation" and I am sure there are plenty.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 July 2013 - 07:44
ATL is one of the easier large airports to negotiate and there are 5 concourses one after another and all connected via an underground train. ATL to Miami should be less than 2 hours, so as long as you can sleep on the DXB-ATL bit, the second flight will feel like its over in a snap
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 04 July 2013 - 10:32
Most dealers already started their Ramadan promotions You will get a 60k km service package for free with the Edge. The RX350 is a commpletely different category, if you can afford it , its better to take it than a higher options Edge. The Edge drives very well, however not everyoen will like that all audio and climate controls are in the touchscreen
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 June 2013 - 13:56
At a spa, Me: Do you have 30 minutes massage? "No maaam, only 1 hour or more. Wait a minute" Comes back and says "I have asked manager and we can do half hour but only today." When I asked to pay, she said it is same price as 1 hour.
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 24 June 2013 - 20:48
It seems to be for "family" and maid visas, so yes, it may not affect bachelors as theirs is based on employment. But if a man is sponsoring his family, he will need a AUH tenancy contract by the looks of it If you search for housing in Abu Dhabi though, a lot of the properties under 90k is housing that will not get you an "attested" contract, which is the main requirement. Merely living in an AUH apt is not enough, you need the Tawtheeq attestation, which you can not get in many properties because they are not listed with the municipality. The whole of Khalifa city, for e.g., does not have a single 2 bed independent unit, every 2 bed apt advertised is in a villa, and agents will claim its all ok, but often they are not. Govt employees with (often) above avg housing allowances can get places but those working in AUH on all inclusive average packages may find it a bit difficult to find appropriate housing
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 18 June 2013 - 09:05
A very good reason why you should not rent in higher floors if you have kids.
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 02 June 2013 - 10:18
As always he went "postal" on someone he felt would not react. Many customers can be more demanding but i am sure he would have kept quiet in front of them. At a counter, 3 people ahead of me; one of them does not have a document, the worker starts insulting him and his country, "people from X are so stupid, always create problem," along with rude gesturing, turns him out. Another person does not have it and the reaction is as translated "Sir, you will need this document, please bring it, I will do it for you no problem, at your service , at your service Sir" <em>edited by Arch on 02/06/2013</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 May 2013 - 14:58
tenants absolutely can (and are encouraged to) check to make sure that landlords have paid all service charges before signing a lease. . That is not true; hardly any of the agents we met during our recent move were willing to ensure that, some actually told to our face : "its not tenants business whether landlord pays fees, its a matter between the Landlord and developer". Similarly some refused to provide title deeds saying "its for landlord not for tenant" Why as a tenant do you think you would be entitled to see the title deeds? 1) Because I am will need it for the Ejari contract which is needed for visas 2) To ensure that the person I am handing my cheque is the person who owns the unit
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 May 2013 - 13:39
tenants absolutely can (and are encouraged to) check to make sure that landlords have paid all service charges before signing a lease. . That is not true; hardly any of the agents we met during our recent move were willing to ensure that, some actually told to our face : "its not tenants business whether landlord pays fees, its a matter between the Landlord and developer". Similarly some refused to provide title deeds saying "its for landlord not for tenant"
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 May 2013 - 12:00
Then tenants should also have access to information on the owners finances, whether he has paid his service charges or not. Whether he has paid for maintenance previously or not. Just as owners are at risk from tenants, tenants are also at risk from owners who dont pay charges
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 May 2013 - 11:27
Even more ridiculous is not allowing a man to keep his parents as 4 people in a 2 bed is "overcrowding"
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EW GURU
Latest post on 29 May 2013 - 11:48
Its a tough call, normally I would try to mind my own business, some people have different attitudes.Similarly you sometimes see people offering to wash your cars, they are not begging, but probably illegal, should we report them to ensure they get punished? <em>edited by Arch on 29/05/2013</em>
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 May 2013 - 14:15
Jacksonvile may be more of a "southern" city than South Florida cities, it is also a city with typical suburban sprawl from what I heard. I am not sure but unlike other parts of Florida, you may be able to drive to Virginia and the DC region in a day's drive from Jacksonville. So the east coast will feel quite accessible compared to Miami
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EW GURU
Latest post on 26 May 2013 - 11:15
All corruption is bad but the saddest bit is when aid money for war ravaged countries like Afghanistan is looted by the President's "friends". How many people died because of lack of something that the aid money was meant for ?
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EW GURU
Latest post on 26 May 2013 - 11:13
In what country does a Judge make this much money to afford an entire floor? They keep steeling money from the poor and hiding it! I had hinted at stuff like this previously, but did not say it too directly as I did not want to offend anyone. But yes, that is exactly what had happened. Apart from judges, you have rare cases of mid level govt clerks or a "secretary" to a political leader from some 3rd world country and so on all purchasing entire floors with money they have looted. Its just a mentality. Some people are happy to have a comfortable living for their family . Others are so greedy that they want 20 flats in their name. I am calling it greed because while there is nothing wrong for a businessman to be successful, there is something definitely wrong when judges, secretaries, police and so on take bribes to be able to purchase 10 flats in some building edited by Arch on 26/05/2013
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 14:18
The Ejari contract we got for a Place in Furjan mentioned Jebel Ali 1 so that should be fine, I would be more concerned at the fact that the villa number is not mentioend. For some reason title deeds for places at Furjan are very rare
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 11:26
Thrifty has Tahoes for 600-700 a day. You cant book them online so you have to call a branch and book them. Budget should also have Tahoes
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EW GURU
Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 12:19
The Premier inn in Leicester Sq is very well located but tends to be costlier than other Premier Inns The 2 Premier Inns near Earls Court station are generally better value and the tube staion is great to access the Piccadilly as well as District/Central Lines thistles are slightly better and costlier, but the Thistle Piccadilly Circus is great as rooms are much larger than your average London room and are newly refurbished <em>edited by Arch on 22/05/2013</em>
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 11:03
the prices are still rising - So some folks must be paying these ridiculous high rents. Until landlords are forced to pay any monies for new tenants ie., the agency fees instead of the tenant, things will never change. Ask the landlord to put his hand in his pocket every year for a new tenant and then things MAY change. To add salt to wounds, many agencies try charging the tenant 1-2% of annual rent or 1000 dhs for typing a rent contract for renewals
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 11:01
Its not generalizing if you say that 1 or 2 in 10 drivers are this way. To compare drivers in Dubai vs other workers, they are actually quite well off, the average driver makes much more than a cashier or sales staff, sometimes 2 to 3 times more a month. Drivers in Northern emirates are less well off.
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 10:07
You cannot be polite with a taxi driver. Where they come from, a woman out alone is a loose woman......end of, oh and in their opinion your DH does not care about your welfare. I am a bit shocked. Not be polite to a taxi driver???? why because they are dirty menials from third world countries???? Yes, where they come from is different but that does not mean one should treat them badly/rudely/without respect. Maybe a few in those thousands have got the wrong impression about western women but then with all the tum tum about the western couple in the back of taxi it can be expectd from people who may not be as worldly as you. You can be firm and let him know you dont want interaction. The western couple, who had doctors certify they did not do "it" but still were sentenced on the basis of a taxi driver watching them for a few minutes, yea sure very believable... What that couple did has nothing to do with their mentality Some of them have been harassing women and even boys since a long time ago and that event happened only few months back. I remember as a child even boys in mid-late teens wouldnt be comfortable riding taxis alone (not Dubai but in Abu Dhabi) because of what many drivers did or talked about. They just "try it on" with women they think will not react. And the numbers are definitely more than few in a thousand, more like 1 in every 10. As for the sudden increase, this is what typically happens, be it sleazy behavior or being rude to passengers or other antics: 1 or 2 drivers do it, and then when they see they are not punished for it, the word spreads and more and more drivers do it. They are very well connected given that most of them eat together during their shift breaks, and it does not take long for a word about what is being punished and what is not to spread edited by Arch on 22/05/2013 <em>edited by Arch on 22/05/2013</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 09:27
All said, my opinion is that rental prices cannot continue to increase at a 20-30% rate every year when the vast majority of people are not seeing allowances increase, at all. In 2005-2008, most people had some form of increase in compensation to cover the even larger increase in rents. So rents will grow but cannot double in price in 2 years as it did . Food never increased substantially back then and is not increasing that much right now. For whatever reason, many property owners here have a different mindset where they will gladly let a property sit empty for months but not reduce their asking price.
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 14:33
I have heard that I have to be totally no nonsense, tough, and even borderline rude to my subordinates from day one to be taken seriously.. is this true?? Not necessarily. You may hear "advice" on how to make life **** for those under you so they "respect" you. People still think that respect is obtained by bullying people and not earning it. You have to be assertive from Day 1, if you give someone a task and they dont do it/update you, let it be known immediately so tasks dont disappear. Dont be rude, but yes, dont smile too much
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 14:27
I was considering to buy something in Dubai, once I got in contact with 2 banks with regards to fianance options their unprofessionalism put me off completely!! They want cash buyers, ideally kept and delivered in a briefcase !
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 14:27
I would buy only if I reasonably confident of being in Dubai 7-8 years from now
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 14:09
Arch next time you edit your comments please do not make it look like I wrote what you actually wrote. . Sorry about that, too many quotes, have fixed it
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 14:07
Adding the Grand Canyon will mean an entirely different thing so if the OP wants to do it, then best to spend at least 2 days and 1 night there; and cut time from LA for it. I think Tripadvisor will be a bit too overwhelming given the amoun t of potential sights there and the OP may get information overload My recommendation will be to get a color guide book for California; Fodors or DK Eyewitness or Frommers Day by Day (my favorite). Go through the pictures and see what are the best things she likes.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 12:31
Lots of places to see ; 16/7 days would be more than enough Its not exactly feasible to drive to LA "via" LV, as Vegas is a bit out of the way and to reach it from SF you would generally come to within 20 miles of LA, so you can do it either way. Must sees can include: The drive from SF to Big Sur Yosemite (can be done as a 1 night trip from SF) Sequioa and Kings Canyon (when going from SF to LA/LV) I would try to go to San Diego for 2 days from LA. A rough itinerary can be SF Days 1-2 Yosemite 3-4 Drive to Big Sur 5 Sequioa/Kings Canyon/Drive to LA 6,7 LA 8.9 Las Vegas, 10,11 LA 12 San Diego 13,14 LA 15,16
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 10:30
I am not a westerner but my guess is that it was not western expats who did this. edited by Arch on 20/05/2013 <em>edited by Arch on 20/05/2013</em>
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 08:24
The board here is not representative of most people. Judging by the Gulf News comments on the Iguana case, quite a few people believe in animal cruelty or are indifferent to it, their main belief being "humans come first".
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 May 2013 - 13:55
I did not comment on their work, I did refer to their behaviour ... full stop. I do remember more than 14 months ago, a Bangladeshi hard worker in building the city of dubai, went to his annual leave back home and cut off the five fingers of his wife, only because she wanted to study. What does have to do with anything? An isolated case of one worker committing a crime. Not that I agree with anyone touching or taking pictures of other people's kids.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 15 May 2013 - 11:58
Love this thread! If one more person tells me how terrible it is that I only have one child, I might not be responsible for my actions! It's usually the beauty salon ladies, in horrified voice, 'but Ma'am, only one baby? There is actually another reason for such comments. Life for many of them means popping out a baby at 17 or 18 with the father either running away or being drunk. So many such girls have to travel abroad and send money back home, to their kids and sometime to the same drunk fathers or brothers. They may think that if someone has a stable home, why they should only have 1 child. Even then it is very rude and they know it quite well.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 15 May 2013 - 11:54
Love this thread! If one more person tells me how terrible it is that I only have one child, I might not be responsible for my actions! It's usually the beauty salon ladies, in horrified voice, 'but Ma'am, only one baby? I would love some witty comebacks but fear they would be lost. Partly because the humour might get lost in translation but also I suspect these people have no idea how to speak to people nicely! Speak in their language; For e.g. the comment above would receive a t of : "Me have 1 husband, so 1 baby, maybe you marry 5 time" And they have the gall to claim how they are the best English speakers around.... ! Its rude, but they deserve it, particularly for some of the comments when someone does not have a baby.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 15 May 2013 - 10:06
We live at Furjan Apartments and everything is great except the fact that there is only one exit, and the traffic lights are timed horribly. Its as if it was intentionally designed to make people wait 2 minutes ! The last sets are the worst, where entering Furjan you have to wait a long time though there is no cross traffic allowed
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EW GURU
Latest post on 15 May 2013 - 08:35
I'm not great at thinking of snappy comebacks on the spot and find it hard to be rude but it's time to answer these people back! My dh thinks on his feet and always manages a great comeback. He says these rude people say things because they are allowed o get away with them. . Which is why they tend to target western and some Asian expats, they rarely "offer" such comments to those more likely to kick up a fuss
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EW GURU
Latest post on 15 May 2013 - 08:08
I just find it amusing, but am not convinced sometimes that they don't realise how offensive they are being. This is especially true in the beauty salons!!! I am 100% sure that they [b'>KNOW [/b'>exactly what they are saying. Of course they do; the modus operandi is to make a comment and then laugh about it in their native language with their colleagues.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 May 2013 - 20:27
As long as his full name isnt given I dont see a problem. Regardless its strange that people/services can offer absurdly low levels of work and no one can mention that fact
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 May 2013 - 14:36
Though I never supported MU, the man is a legend, and the English league will be poorer without him. Not to mention that he is the only Man U Manager a whole generation of fans have known.
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 May 2013 - 08:35
Deleted <em>edited by Arch on 14/08/2013</em>
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 15:55
I'll be honest, we've had more than one unpleasant experience in downtown SF relating to homeless people. The safer areas included the whole Union Square area which has a very lively, touristy vibe. 3 or 4 blocks west on Geary was a totally different matter. I would go to hotel revies at tripadvisor and check the worst rated comments and whether many of them mention bad things about the location
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 09:55
BusyBee, did you just google search "car rental or hire" or can you recommend a good company? I know you did three weeks but was it expensive in your eyes? Arch, what would you recommend? convertible for the style (am picturing myself as a modern-day Audrey Hepburn with head-scarf and big sunglasses, LOL) or a comfy saloon with A/C? If your DH can take the hassle, I would rent a convertible for the trip to San Diego (while having a nice saloon or SUV for the whole 10 days) as San Diego is likely to have warmer and sunnier weather. The convertible may not feel comfortable enough when driving to SF , a 6 hour journey. SF is a great city, but if you only have 10 days for the whole state, I wouldnt linger there for more than 2 nights.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 06 May 2013 - 20:29
Thanks, TimTam I think his family is planning a day trip to Disneyland the day before or after the wedding. I've always wanted to go to San Francisco... Do you think i't be realistic to book our flight out of DXB to San Francisco Airport, rent a car and then fly out of LAX at the end of our trip? It should be practical as long as the car rental agency does not charge a drop off fee. You can look around and as soon as you get a good rate, book the car.
Arch
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EW GURU
Latest post on 06 May 2013 - 20:27
San Diego is a must see and can be done as a day trip from LA. Other Must-sees include the drive to Big Sur and a day in San Francisco If you have time; I would go to Yosemite or Kings Canyon/Seqouia May should be one of the best times for Yosemite as the waterfalls will be in full flow. May can be a bit chilly in LA and coastal regions so a convertible may not be practical. Mid May is also when Cherry season starts. Forget Death Valley or Palm Springs as it will be too hot there.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 05 May 2013 - 13:37
AA.com had great prices for travel on British airways codeshare; but they never publicise sale fares out of UAE and i think the fares are no longer there. Qatar has sale fares of 3500 AED to DC or JFK for travel till mid July, but i suspect this price wont be availabe for flights in July SFO/LAX are notoriously expensive, which is why it makes sense to fly to JFK or DC and then take the 6 hour cross country flight after some rest. I remember long back Cathay used to have great fares via Hong Kong but dont find that to be the case any longer
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EW GURU
Latest post on 02 May 2013 - 11:56
As for the viewings, we're going through this now and the agents really are a bunch of p*ss takers. I've gone out of my way and arranged for them to come round at certain times and had two no shows now without any warning. That's the end of it for me. LL has now been given a set 30-min slot each month when we will allow people in. I've saved all the agents' numbers (including the b*tch who didn't turn up twice) and now simply ignore their calls (I get at least 2-3 a day!!). edited by HereComesTheSun on 02/05/2013 Might be worthwhile getting a 2nd number to hand out to agents :)
 
 
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