CSH | ExpatWoman.com
 

CSH

CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 April 2011 - 22:09
Apparently travelling 42 m above the highway equates to `not wearing your seatbelt'!!! Which my husband was so .....who knows??
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 12:39
My husband's violation was `travelling 42 metres above the highway'............really? Unless it is a big fine I say it is easier to just pay!!
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 21:29
Has anyone ever stayed or had visitors stay at Sharq? I would like to know what it is like - being under the flight path and all that!
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 21:27
Yes, you can take ABRSM exams here (twice a year) and I believe that a new music school is offering Trinity exams (very recently opened and I can't remember the name!) However, there is the International School of Music behind the old LuLu's that has various teachers and enters students for ABRSM (and sells the music). There are a number of private teachers around - just go by word of mouth. If you go to the ABRSM website you will find the name of the local Doha representative. She may give you a list of teachers who enter students. June is usually a good time to find a teacher as students leave/give up lessons. Good luck with finding someone.
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 April 2011 - 09:49
I know that there is camel racing at Shahaniya this week. They are supposed to race in the morning and in the afternoon. However, I have no idea what time the races are. If anyone can access the arabic papers would you mind letting me know? I expect the morning races are very early. I have visitors and I would like to take them to see the camels as it is interesting to see. Thanks in advance for any help!
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 April 2011 - 14:17
My kids over did it on theirs - too many sharp turns - and the steering wheel came off! Any idea for spare parts??
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 April 2011 - 14:16
The Hamad is excellent. The private rooms are about 800 QR a night (well, they were) and worth every riyal! If you are booked in for any surgery (eg C section) at the Hamad a relative will have to donate blood before you are admitted. It is the way they keep up their blood bank - excellent idea! Don't worry about your husband not being allowed in - you want a healthy baby at the end of the day - and he will be allowed in straight after it is born. Good luck!
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 01 April 2011 - 14:33
My maid has always had a health card and it has been very useful. It gives me piece of mind that even when we are away she can walk into the local health care centre and receive treatment. Interestingly my maid also had high blood pressure when she arrived - I soon realised why - she ate the most awful amount of salt. This was obviously what she was used to. She even put salt on cooked rice. So I had to teach her basic diet principles and why it was necessary, including why she should brush her teeth, eat fruit and veg etc. After five years with us I am glad to say she is much more healthy and her blood pressure is fine. She even recognises the need for execise. So maybe this is something you will have to do with your maid?
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 March 2011 - 18:07
There are showers and changing rooms behind the cafe, because I asked when I was lookng there. I did see a western person on the beach, dressed in shorts, a few weeks ago - didn't see any women. I guess we'll have to wait and see when the weather gets warmer!
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 16:50
We have had problems with our Mosaic and Qtel are frustrating when there is a problem - they don't always solve it. We get our internet/tv through mosaic. We have Showtime as well, which is much more reliable and the support service is better - but that is just for tv.
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 16:48
I imagine all will be going back after Eid and therefore start on the 11th September. Teachers may be in before Eid though.
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 March 2011 - 18:10
I recently imported Spirulina and Wheatgrass through Aramex and it was fine. I really wasn't sure although they are only supplements but they look so weird I thought they might take them. It is worth a try!
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 March 2011 - 12:13
On a Friday they will be open after 3.30 pm or nearer 4pm. If you have a picture of the costume you want it is much easier to get a tailor to make it. Look on the internet for one and take it with the child to the tailor! I use a tailor in Souk Al Asiery and he is great for costumes. Enter the the souk from the door which has the Blue Diamond watch shop by it. Go straight ahead and up the stairs. At the top of the stairs go slightly left and ahead and then immediately right. There is a tailor called Al-Safeer - has a little english but will do a good job. Also at the top of the stairs, left hand side, last shop is where I go for fabrics. He will work with the tailor and estimate amounts of materil for you. Have fun!
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 March 2011 - 17:11
There's a place underneath Carrefour in City Centre - it is called Mr Clean, Mr Quick - Mr something!! They repair shoes, cut keys etc. Take the escalator down from Carrefour as if you are going to the car park and you will see it.
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 21:19
A friend of mine recently took on a maid through an agency and they told she must not pay her more than 800 QR and she was definitely not to get a phone in the first three months! Whilst I do think this is a bit stiff I think there is merit in holding back on things whilst she is in her probation period and give a little at a time when you are happy with her work. My maid earns a lot more than this but she has been with me over 5 years but she didn't get everything from the start. I do give toiletries on a quarterly basis and in the winter/summer I give a couple of hundred extra for new clothes etc. She has her own room with bed, tv, video, chest of drawers, mini fridge and hob. She can help herself to food from the larder. One thing I have found helpful is to give her one hundred QR each week and the remainder of her salary at the end of the month. My maid was from a very poor village in the Philippines and had no idea about saving money. This way she has enough for her day off/hala etc and then gets her salary. Be clear about your expectations and be prepared to repeat them regularly especially about hygiene. One of my friends had a maid from Sir Lanka and she found her cleaning the dog bowl with the same dish cloth she used for the floor and the family's plates! My maid had never used a hoover for example! However, it should all be worth it when she has settled in!
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 February 2011 - 09:49
If you want to park outside the fabric souk (Souk Al Asiery) you would be wise to go between 3.30-4.00pm as by 4.15pm there is no parking! There will be parking by Souq Wakif until a bit later. Some of the shops are open just before 4pm.
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 14:15
It is much quicker if you are a woman I think. I go each time and my husband goes and waits in the room while I whizz through. If your car fails the legal requirement you just drive around to the right and get the policeman to sign the document off and that is it. You can then get your registration card done. I have the same every year with my darkened windows. At the registration place I have always asked the Qatari man where do I go? He then directs me to the front of the queue. Very kind of him. I have always found the Qatari men there very helpful to ladies. By the way - if you ask they will unlock the ladies' toilet for you!
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 February 2011 - 18:57
I saw in the paper they are talking about making the ID card and Health Card one card which would be much better. The whole renewal system is a pain. I have always had to submit my health card when at the Hamad. Even though I have a `file' - the golden ticket to seeing a doctor! It is worth having even if you have private health insurance. I also have got one for my housemaid.
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 February 2011 - 18:54
Le Cadre are excellent.
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 February 2011 - 18:53
If you want them made go to the curtain souk area which is the road off the Dhow roundabout towards the C ring. There are several good shops on that road that make to order and are not super expensive. The advantage of getting them made is you get what you want and you can have black out put in as the lining. The curtains last much longer than those you buy off the shelf! The sun fades curtains so badly over time you have to be careful. And the ones from Home Centre (in my experience) shrink badly when you wash them.
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 January 2011 - 18:13
I know some company's employees (and probably others) were offered free seats if they just showed up. Free buses were put on . They just wanted `bums on seats' to fill the stadium. Shame for all of those who had paid for tickets, including my husband and children, and didn't get it. More of a shame for those who were Aussies who had come all the way from Australia just for the match - which I understand was quite a few. I am sure that lessons will be learned from this - I am just glad nobody was hurt in the general melee.
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 26 January 2011 - 18:21
We go when it opens in the evening. In and out in 30 odd minutes plus generous snack at the end. You will be given a card which makes it quicker the next time you go. Times of opening are on the door.
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 24 January 2011 - 16:27
Thanks for the info on spirulina - will look again for it. Wheatgrass?? Don't say grow your own!!
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 24 January 2011 - 16:25
I would definitely agree with others that a maid would want her own room (they obviously don't always get it!) However, if you are looking for a good relationship with your maid I would give her a room. We all need time off and away from work and personally I can't see how it would work if she shared an area. We are lucky as our maid has her own room and bathroom. There are many times in the day when she goes off for a bit and comes back depending on the day's routine. Even on her day off she sometimes chooses to spend time in her room (lie in?) etc and watch tv etc etc. Can you not put your office in the maid's room?? Put the maid in the bedroom? Usually a maid will bring nothing with them bar a change of clothes. You provide it all. I know it is tricky when you have limited space and I feel lucky in my situation. However, I think if your maid is happy it will all work out better for you in the end.
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 January 2011 - 21:00
It is definitely illegal to sponsor a maid and have them live out - I know of someone who does that but you take the risks with it. And depending on the maid I think that there would be risks.
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 January 2011 - 20:51
In Villaggio there is a stand/shop in the middle of the `street' just up from Go Sport that seems to sell some supplements. However, I have been on the look out for spirulina and wheatgrass - anyone seen that? I know there is a `diet' shop on the street opposite Al Alhli that is supposed to sell all kinds of health food things but I have never been there. That was where an arab lady told me to go when I was investigating supplements. Will try and go soon!
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 January 2011 - 21:48
Maybe it does depend on the level of the tinting? Mine are pretty blacked out on the sides so perhaps that's why I have it on my registration etc. Having said that so many things change here, who knows!
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 21:55
and...every year you renew your car registration you have to have the tinted windows signed off again! Not a big job but you `fail' the legal part of the vehicle inspection evey time until you have it done. Well worth it though!
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 17:12
The Gulf Times today says `all the hotels in Qatar have been asked by the Ministry of Business and Trade to stop levying service charges on their bills'. This includes bills from their restaurants. Time to wait and see....
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 January 2011 - 22:21
I spend at least 1000 a week for a family of five and we are not extravagant. We buy a lot of fresh veg and fruit and hardly any meat. Some weeks I spend more if I am stocking up on cleaning materials - they are really expensive. I get through a load of washing powder! I don't think you can shop at just one shop as you can't always get what you want and sometimes you are so happy to get what you want you just pay the price! I occasionally get a few treats from Megamarkt but not often. Carrefour and FFC and Dasman are my shops of choice!
CSH
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 19:08
My daughter had a ride last Thursday at about 3pm.......if that is any help! It cost 15QR. She loved it!!
 
 
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