BEDH | ExpatWoman.com
 

BEDH

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Latest post on 16 September 2013 - 21:15
When I went to do my license I used one of the fixers in the shops opposite . my wallet was empty and the cash machine at the Traffic dept was broken. They waived the charge but I obliged by posing for various phone camera pictures with the guy who helped me. I was orca whale sized, at about 39 weeks pregnant so do wonder what he said to the friends he showed !
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Latest post on 15 September 2013 - 07:33
Once it cools down it will be so much easier to get out and explore even on foot. If you are interested in gaining skils and friends you could do a course Arts qatar.vcu.edu/communityclasses Photography Http://www.lydiashawphotography.com/education-photography Crafts There is a new craft station place behind the Al Waab petrol station.
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Latest post on 28 August 2013 - 14:04
When we signed we needed to include a letter seeking permission for pets. Management retained the right to effectively evict us if they weren't.controlled. Sadly many families adopt but then leave the cats behind, which means lots of strays on the streets. Do neuter and microchip your cats and keep up their inoculations . Doha has a large wild cat population many carrying FIV ( cat AIDS). In our compound residents trap neuter and release the strays . The government vet provides the operations without charge.
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Latest post on 13 August 2013 - 16:43
Hi , I don't live at Ghanem myself but know there is a management office on the compound so probably going there and asking will be your best bet.
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Latest post on 29 July 2013 - 22:55
I think Al Zubar has had trouble licensing the Salwa site and effectively abandoned it for the time being. Al Samariyah is out toward Dukkan and is not too hard to find now as the road has stopped changing (was doing so weekly). I am away till end of Aug now but do go and look or call and speak to Peggy. She has a wealth of knowledge about the Qatar horse scene so will be able to give you advice. <em>edited by BEDH on 29/07/2013</em>
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Latest post on 28 July 2013 - 21:58
There are 3 clips of Al Bayyan on YouTube from 2009 .The house featured has a a different layout (smaller I think) but decor is same as it is now . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGsqQOONf4E
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 July 2013 - 21:40
We stayed for about 3-4 weeks when we first arrived. The villas are spacious in a basic Arabic style. We had a four bed .Downstairs two connected living rooms , additional small room (study) with loo, hall, cloak with loo, kitchen, outside maids. Upstairs 4. Beds two bathrooms. The facilities are big and plentiful ( everything really even a nursery). I hated it at the time as had never lived in such a baren soulless place (it was July) nor such a big compound. Looking back , it is pretty good for Doha especially the price and location for Doha College . I have visited a colleague of my husbands who chose to stay and her place looks nice as she has shaded and planted the concrete yard , decorated inside and put her own furniture and appliances. She has teens who walk to school . edi <em>edited by BEDH on 28/07/2013</em>
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Latest post on 24 July 2013 - 20:53
There were lots of strays and kittens being born on our compound but residents got together and taken postive action by TNR. The population is becoming more stable and kittens that are born are kept an eye on until they are ready for neuturing . They happily live in the gardens surviving with water and food from gardens and bins . Unfortunately it is at this time of year they do find it hard as lots of people who gave extra food leave and the bins aren't as fruitful. As always in nature not all survive . I am sorry if this sounds heartless but to be practical ; It isn't going to suit you to bring the cat and kittens indoors so the best thing to do is keep an eye on them until they are ready for neuturing. Rather than feed them you can teach the kittens to forage put food scraps out near bins so they learn it is a food source. Try not to handle the kittens but perhaps put a cardboard box out for shade an shelter . FYI Cats in Qatar do not run a shelter but will give advice.
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Latest post on 23 July 2013 - 17:19
Here is the link www.alzubarstables.com I don't know anyone personally there but it is through the stables that a friend met endurance horse owners. It isn't riding season at the moment so perhaps any of the stables would like help as the horses aren't getting out much. If you would like to visit Al Samariyah ( can be tricky to find ) I am going early Friday morning.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 22 July 2013 - 17:51
I hope you drive because most of the horses are quite out of town . I know of some endurance racers that need help with exercising. Try contacting Al Zubar stables for details. They are not opening off Salwa as advertised and still down near Sealine. As far as my enquires went , the equestrian centre at the racing stables only has men exercising. Al Shaqab on Education City is closed to new ( non- Qatari ) riders at the moment . Al Samariyah does hourly and monthly horse rentals . This is where I take my son and occasionally ride myself. Once you get into the "horsey scene " you will meet private people needing help. https://m.facebook.com/AlSamariyahEquestrianCenter?id=441379335887626&_rdr <em>edited by BEDH on 22/07/2013</em>
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 July 2013 - 15:05
I love a top loader. I spent half my life in the UK where they are hardly ever seen so was delighted to find them the norm in the Middle East. When we eventually relocate I will be taking one back. Sad as it seems I have extensively researched the pros and cons. I have a thing for laundry and washing ( not ironing or any other housework though) . Front loaders have their own water heaters so will wash hotter and are more economical on both energy and water. They also need less detergents . They were born to save space and energy. There gentler agitation is better for clothes. Top loaders are simpler mechanically ,break down less frequently and can be fixed easily by anyone handy with a toolbox. I LOVE to last minute lid flip and also stuff pillows, all the soft toys and duvets in the wash so its a top loader for me.
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Latest post on 10 July 2013 - 16:12
I think it must be international aviation law because I have seen it on lots of airline information. I have travelled (Turkish Airways ) next to a passenger with a small pooch in a carrier . He had nappies on ! Once I had a guy with a falcon sit next to me too. I am terrified of large birds after being dive bombed by hawks when younger. I had a baby on my lap and just quietly asked to be moved .
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 July 2013 - 19:21
In the US these can be redeemed for amazon products days out, baby items and collected for charities donations . In the UK they are useless so imagine same in GCC. On a similiar vein I once contacted the GCC distributor of a european brand formula to ask why the can did not show English ingredients . They said there was no room on the can and helpfully sent a list of ingredients ..... in arabic. <em>edited by BEDH on 04/07/2013</em>
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 July 2013 - 19:12
Did you by chance come upon a children's area in the trade fair ? We visited earlier in the week and couldn't find one but the advertisements promised " a separate 3,000 sqm area featuring inflatables, face painting, a family of mascots, and a parade. The parade will perform four shows daily starting from 2pm " I wondered if it was going to be only for part of the event and we should try again. No one I asked knew what I was on about.
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Latest post on 01 July 2013 - 08:36
Dubai Mall is connected to the Metro ( Burj Khalifa ) by a rather long but covered and air conditioned walkway. There is lots for children to see and do within the DM. I recommend the role playarea in Galleries Lafayette - beautifully clean and well maintained. Kidszania is best visited in the mornings, as it gets very busy but would be ideal for Daddy to take your eldest to. As soon as it's dark you can watch the fountains from one of the restaurants within The Mall or along the promenade. There is a lovely kid friendly middle eastern one with an air conditioned balcony on the 1st floor which opens for the first show. Dubai Mall and the Metro both have phone app maps that you can download free. Have fun !
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Latest post on 29 June 2013 - 15:27
Next year, Ramadan falls during the last few days of school term I believe - will they make provisions rooms for children who are not fasting? Where I have taught , children who were fasting during Ramadan went to seperate rooms whilst those who weren't ate as usual. The schools encouraged a shorter day and discouraged participation in sport . Most fasting pupils did not actually attend at all. Many of the primary aged children were doing a part fast and still drinking water but I still though them very young to be partaking at all. I learnt from a pupil that he was not allowed to swim during the day in Ramadan in case water was swallowed .
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 29 June 2013 - 07:59
I have two CARES harnesses but have not found them great particularly not for todders. Firsty they don't fit properly on all airline seats. The slimmer shaped seats on smaller planes mean they slip down.You can't use them in business seats either. The harness itself does not have a strap between the legs and so a wriggly tot can get out fairly easily. Last trip ( DOH- MEL) I took a 15AED highchair harness and it worked better. I have never tried using a carseat but am really tempted this summer. My almost 2 yr old will have a seat and I am fairly confident he won't stay in it.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 22 June 2013 - 21:09
Me : Do you have black gel colouring in stock ? No Madam , not yet , it is waiting for custom clearance. Me : Still ? you said that last year when I came. Yes Madam and we need food license renewal to sell the colouring to clear customs. Me : so you don't have a license to sell colourings ? That's right Madam . Me: What about all the colourings here ? For those we have license but for black no license . Doha .... Even dafter than Dubai. <em>edited by BEDH on 22/06/2013</em>
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 June 2013 - 13:07
Don't worry too much about Zacs they will be reordering but my guess is lots of people wanted to get thing before leaving for the summer and bought all the stock. Aside from living on the lagoon ( very high rents ) I would chose either Riviera or Al Jazi compounds in the west bay area. Al Jazi is closer to DC and has bigger outdoor space plus lots going on for children . They are around the same price and age.
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Latest post on 17 June 2013 - 14:33
I outfitted my son for DC pre-school last month and the stock levels were very low on certain sizes and out in his size (3-4) for everything except the PE shirt. I had to buy the next size up in some items and 7-8 in others so come September he'll hopefully have grown a bit :0. The sizing was different in all the items so I can't really say if it is like M&S . That was before the Westbay places were announced so what it is like now I can't imagine. Their factory is in Dubai so they are probably frantically embroidering this month. The quality and fabric is dreadful though I bought everything but will be buying substitutes of the plain shorts from now on . Worth stocking up on socks and school shoes and plimsolls/trainers before you leave . There are shoe shops here but selection and stock levels aren't good.
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Latest post on 11 June 2013 - 11:45
Sometimes I get Radio Bahrain. I though it pretty average when we lived there but that was before we heard QBS . QBS is truly dreadful especially the reportage from the UK. I have a ipod dock in the car .
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 June 2013 - 15:00
2nd hand furniture is quite reasonable in Bahrain. There are a few 2nd hand shops im Adliya and you can buy bargains off expats as the leave. Mums in Bahrain is an organisation with a FB page that has lots of classifieds . Beds and mattresses are cheaply bought new , we got ours at Medical mattresses . Home centre , I've found is poor quality and expensive considering . There was a service that brought ikea products to Bahrain , try asking on Mums in Bahrain FB page .
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Latest post on 01 June 2013 - 21:23
Two years ago I posted on here and had a kind lady lend me her maid for the summer (daily not live in) which was a god send as I had a toddler and had a new baby less than month after relocating.I doubt you will get live in as they legally must stay in sponsors accomodation but there will be ladies who will do daily in the summer from a compound neighbouring AFG 6 . An agency maid can be had for an 8 hour day for a fixed monthly rate. Post your email and I will give you details. <em>edited by BEDH on 01/06/2013</em>
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 13:43
Living near to your children's schools would certainly make life easier. The area around DESS ( Markhiya , Al Messila , Madinat Khalifa South ) makes the whole of Doha quickly accessible . I have seen Alfardan 6 and whilst not as big and airy as other AFG villas I have been in , they will certainly be popular purely on location. The facilities are of a really high standard and way better than in any other compounds nearby I can think of. I know where you are coming from as was horrified at the housing in Doha when we arrived . It's really expensive for often poor quality.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 20:57
Its in the main buliding ( not emergency )of Hamad hospital on the ground floor . Ask at reception and they will show you. Sorry I don't know the hours. I went about 9am.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 May 2013 - 18:02
Could it just be the move or the school ? or did your daughter have identified learning difficulties before coming to Doha ? I presume she passed an entrance exam before starting . It must be hard to be faced with potentially having to change your daughters school at what is a typically tricky age. Does she like the school ? If it is very academically focused and that doesn't suit her maybe you need to look elsewhere . Most of the schools in Doha claim not to have provision for special educational needs and so many parents have to support their childrens learning independently. Can you get her a tutor or tutors for her ? Unless she is being behaviourally difficult , I can't see why the school would encourage her to move if you provide additional support yourself.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 May 2013 - 18:20
Would you move from Al Messilah to Al Fardan Gardens 6 Kimmc ? I saw on property finder they are going for 18K -22K depending on size and whether they will be furnished.
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Latest post on 18 May 2013 - 13:14
Good luck MunchkinMommy :)
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Latest post on 18 May 2013 - 08:25
'>A good standard of verbal communciation coupled with the expected levels of literacy and mathematics that a child in the third term of Reception should have obtained . Look at this [url='>link[/url'> http://www.keystageplus.co.uk/reception.html Expect reading, writing and mathematics tasks to be part of the assessment.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 May 2013 - 22:46
Its perfectly located for DESS and everywhere really . I live nearby in Al Messilah Compound and always describe it as the middle of Doha. . AFG 6 does look much more compact than other Al Fardan Gardens but is the same orange ! Stage One should be completed really soon. Hoping to go and look this week at the houses and facilties with a friend whose teens are a bit fed up with our compounds dire gym . I will post the outcome.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 May 2013 - 07:00
The University of Sunderland offer a year long overseas PGCE . Next course begins in September .
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 May 2013 - 18:33
CESK will cease to cater for kindergarten from September and only take children who are not yet four. <em>edited by BEDH on 14/05/2013</em>
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 May 2013 - 18:09
www.philembassy-qatar.org has the opening times and numbers . The Philipines Overseas Labour Office and Overseas Workers Welfare Office are at the same site next to as I said the Castle Compound .
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 May 2013 - 19:31
I was at POLO/OWWA on Thursday and saw a list of agencies on their wall. I know there are restrictions on Filipinos at the moment but sometimes agencies get returns or girls turn up at POLO/OWWA needing new sponsors. A while back I lady I knew got a maid by just asking there . They next to Castle compound and open 8:30 -12 1:30 - 4:30 .
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Latest post on 06 May 2013 - 16:34
Aspire has baby and toddler sensory and gymnastics -register in September. There are lots of music and movement for toddlers including kindermusik. Hamad aquatic is home to AISS which has baby swimming and there are lots of private classes too. There are children's activities at Garvey's including yoga. Playball is a popular toddler activity running in different Doha venues.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 May 2013 - 07:33
Oh perhaps you have been given a different type of epipen . The ones I have are to be kept at a constant 25c and since it often exceeds this temp in Doha I was advised to keep in a small cool pouch. I got mine from a company called Always read the label . Hopefully your son is better soon .
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 May 2013 - 21:15
Ladies, Last week my son had a sever allergic reaction which saw him hospitalised for a night. The allergy has not been defined. It's not food...but could be any number of other things. I now carry an epipen for him. My helper is not comfortable with the idea of administering the epipen. How do people manage playdates, parties, sleepovers with an 'allergic' child? TIA Firstly I think you really need to define the allergy asap with immediate testing.I wouldn't rest until this was done . Secondly epipens can be quickly rendered ineffective stored at heat so carrying one in the ME everywhere like you are told to you means it might not work. Did they recommend a cool box for storage ? For years I have always been told by doctors the best thing is to get someone to take you to A& E or call an ambulance. It is really hard to administer an epipen too, we did a training thing in the UK when prescribed epipens . If you are going camping or making a trip away from quick medical response , administer the epipen but immediately call the emergency services. edited by BEDH on 04/05/2013 <em>edited by BEDH on 04/05/2013</em>
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Latest post on 03 May 2013 - 13:06
Last night we went to The dining rooms in Najada boutique hotel and it was excellent . It is fine dining but not outrageously priced and the surroundings are beautiful. The hotel consists of an old merchant house and a old bank . It would be a lovely place to take guests in Doha. We were shown their hotel rooms which are gorgeous. Planning to try the other souq wafiq boutique hotel restaurants and will report back.
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Latest post on 01 May 2013 - 19:01
There is a place called Princesses Booty Saloon here in Doha . I think part of the name is definately a typo.
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Latest post on 30 April 2013 - 13:17
I took my youngest to AISS from 4 months but I may have told a fib . There is also baby classes at Rivera gardens which has an indoor and heated pool.
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Latest post on 16 April 2013 - 21:41
For pre-school applicants the teachers saw children in small groups away from parents . We saw the Head of Primary individually who explained the children would be observed at play , interacting with others and asked age appropriate questions about themselves , letters , counting, colours and shapes. For a four year old I would imagine this would be very similar. Perhaps with a few more advanced activities.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 April 2013 - 20:00
Dubaistars . It could be a journey of an hour from Y village or AFG 5 to Sherbourne . I don't know if Sherbourne put on buses but something to think about as its a long old trek on an extremely heavy industrial traffic route. Alfarden 2 to Sherbourne is still quite a long commute . Have you asked Alfardan about compound 6 ? It is soon to be finished and just behind Al Messilah ( older compound may not be your thing )where lots of Sherbourne pupils live .Perhaps other ladies can recommend Gharaffa or smaller Al Rayyan compounds . <em>edited by BEDH on 12/04/2013</em>
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Latest post on 11 April 2013 - 18:33
August will be very quiet with many expats fleeing to cooler climes.Ramadan ends around 7th and then there is Eid holidays of up to one week so it is a different routine for locals too. July and August in Doha gives you a very skewed sense of the city.Traffic is non existent . If you haven't already apply to DC westbay online.I have heard the response to the new campus is exceeding expectation. <em>edited by BEDH on 11/04/2013</em>
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Latest post on 11 April 2013 - 15:57
If you can get your children into the new Doha College campus and lived in Al Jazi your life would be sweet ! Al Rayyan villas are nice inside but it is a VERY high density compound . Al Jazi is old but most of Doha would die to live there .Houses have quite big gardens and there is loads going on for children. The compound is airy and green and its right smack in West Bay .
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Latest post on 11 April 2013 - 07:48
When I checked last Doha English Speaking School and possibly Doha College are looking for nursery teachers for September . They will pay well, sponsor , provide housing for you and medical insurance.Be careful about mentioning your partner when you are applying for jobs.Companies have to follow the law too and you can put your chances at stake . It is risky living together especially if you are both working. It only takes one disgruntled colleague to dob you to your employer or the police and you both lose your jobs. Also delete your posts or change your log in name so employer who peruse EPW don't see this thread and associate with you. Good luck in your job search.
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Latest post on 07 April 2013 - 08:03
The original poster has removed her thread but in case she is lurking : here is an excellent alternative in Doha.https://www.hirewire.co.uk/DohaCollege/1057068/MS_Index.aspx An exceptionally well reputed school opening a new campus in September.I know staff at the current school who renew year after year, are paid well and on time and have lovely accomadation.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 April 2013 - 17:43
I don't see little Qatari boys in the ladies ever so wondering if its a particular cultural thing.
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Latest post on 06 April 2013 - 15:12
Who on earth gives a three year old funny looks for being in the ladies? He's still a baby! I hope you give funny looks right back. We are in Qatar and its happened more than once but I don't like to send him into the men's unaccompanied . Not all places have a disabled loo or baby area . Facilities are much poorer than DXB generally.
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Latest post on 06 April 2013 - 15:03
I was told my an OBG to test day 10 - 24 or the first month. The surge may happen late and be missed if you just do 7 days. She also advised "practising " every few days not just on fertile days.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 April 2013 - 13:08
If neither you or your husband hold any other passport or are only British nationality you can appeal for you baby to be stateless and he/she can be granted a British Passport .