DesertBoot | ExpatWoman.com
 

DesertBoot

DesertBoot
169
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Latest post on 09 February 2012 - 09:30
Abu Dhabi Mums now has an off island playgroup at Raha as well, so if you join them, you could go to that.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 January 2012 - 09:26
Getting back to your original query and not going into a debate about the suburbs of Mussafah - I know that a group of Mums in Raha Gardens in Khalifa A (close by) were starting a play group, there is also a Facebook page for MBZ Mums (Mohammed Bin Zayed City), Abu Dhabi Mums may be getting an off island play group but if not, most of their things are at Sheikh Zayed Sports City - which is only about 10 minutes from Mussafah at the right time of day and a group of Mums meets at Saadiyat Island at 10am on Wednesdays for coffee Golf Gardens which is nearby as well in Khalifa City A has a playgroup in the cafe there and swimming lessons that non residents can attend - best to just go and check out noticeboard or ask at clubhouse. All the best with your move ETA - this is from Raha Gardens Playgroup Facebook page: [i'>Al Raha Gardens Playgroup is on at Al Raha Gardens Community Centre every Monday from 10.15am - 12pm. Price AED 15 for the first child and AED 10 for each consecutive child. Playgroup includes song, music, craft, games and more. Tea, coffee and snacks will be provided for the parents and a drink for the children (we do ask that children bring their own healthy snack) A great way for you and your children to meet other friends in the community. Our Playgroup is open to everyone!! Email - [email protected][/i'> <em>edited by DesertBoot on 31/01/2012</em>
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 January 2012 - 16:05
and there is Mussafah itself - Commercial not Industrial, not MBZ....anyway, that's not answering OP's question
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 January 2012 - 15:57
It's officially KittyLitterMoodyLettuce Day!
DesertBoot
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 January 2012 - 15:49
i dont think you are moving to mussafah could it be mohammed bin zayed city as that is opposite, where mazayad mall and safeer malls are. mussafah is the industrial areas of abu dhabi and the only people that live actually at mussafah are in the labour camps and all the industrial units. Actually Mussafah Commercial has alot of residential units.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2012 - 15:56
Green-ish, all the best care and thoughts to you and your poor hubby (who must be feeling pretty bad away from you as well). Hope that you are close by to true and good friends who can help you through. All the very best to you. GattaMatta - that is really beautiful, and I hope Green-ish can take some solace.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2012 - 21:23
Have you tried Abu Dhabi Mums? They have a lot of playgroups, mainly at Zayed Sports City.
DesertBoot
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2012 - 12:34
My husband just had to do the same. He just went to a GP (abu dhabi). Got results the next day.
DesertBoot
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2012 - 12:21
We tried to do it for our Sri Lankan helper, really tried every avenue and in the end found out it would never happen as both the child's parents were here. I think it is seen as anillegal residence risk. But if that is not the case, try Air Arabia, they will do the ticket and visa stuff - what you need is on the website. Best of luck.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 13:37
Get another taxi. At least every second accident I see involves a taxi, not worth it for a few minutes wait.
DesertBoot
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 13:31
Our 16 month old puts her fists to her chest and makes monkey noises every time she see a toy monkey, a monkey on tv or hears the word monkey. That's money well spent on nursery, haha. She has learnt animal noises and names, 1,2,3 and loves the music class. Maybe Kindermusik would be a good option?
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 11:04
Imagine being called after an album! :\: I'd be 'Nevermind'
DesertBoot
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 11:00
Five years ago all the maids were making 700-800 aed and they were happy! Emiratis are still paying 700-800 aed/month as of now. 700-800 is still a fortune in their country! Why are you paying 3 times as much?? I pay my maid 1,200, and can’t afford to pay more. I have to work and my husband has to work so that we can survive. We need a maid to help take care of the kids in the afternoon, I have no family to help me. You are putting us – employers who can’t pay 1,500-2,000+++ – out of the market. You probably don’t understand how much you are hurting families who really need a maid. I am trying to understand why someone who doesn’t work even needs a maid?? You are putting us – families who are not here on big expat packages – in a big disadvantage and under a lot of pressure. …. We both have to work as well as neither of us are on big expat packages, we also need a maid for childcare. I choose to pay our lady 2100 a month basic as my pay has certainly gone up in the last decade as has COL, why not hers? By your reasoning (or lack thereof) we should all also stop eating as groceries have gone up 25% in last couple of years.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 January 2012 - 10:41
Getting back to original post and away from the slating of mothering styles. We are in nearly the exact same position. Have had helper for 19 months, toddler went to nursery 4 months ago, asked her at the time if she was happy to revert to cleaning, a lot less childcare as I changed to part time work as well. [i'>Yes, yes, yes - you have paid for my house, I don't ever want to work for another family bla bla bla[/i'> The house was never super clean and tidy, but we let that go as we said that childcare was always first priority before nursery was commenced. We are now just being taken for a ride - my husband did a list of day to day tasks - ultra specific, (he is a Virgo German), they got stuck to for a week and then it all just slid again. Got home from a week's holiday - there is congealed food in fridge, off milk, yoghurts etcetec. Dust and toys everywhere under lounges, behind cabinets. Washing still on line. When my husband asked her yesterday to stop skyping and come and work she said he 'was just like an Arab boss'. I wonder how many Arab bosses pay for maids to go home to see kids every 3 months, pay triple legal rate and many many other perks. She is getting notice today. I have always advocated for maids and cringed when I have read some things on here, but now realise we have created a monster out of our misguided kindness, generosity and 'white woman' guilt. Rein it in now or your situation will turn into ours - me coming home from work and spending time washing up and folding clothes while she palys with my baby! Yeah, I know I am stupid. Sit her down, tell her that this is her first formal warning, print out a list of specific tasks, be clear that she is not indispensable and you will have a review in a month. (We did do the above, but it hasn't worked, but at least we know that we have given more than enough awareness that games must be lifted) Good luck with new bub, you are going to have enough on your hands without stress and ******** of bad behaviour.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 December 2011 - 17:06
Thanks heaps - this is great and thanks for taking time to write it down. I have your email and may email you - if you want to remove it now. Thanks again
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 December 2011 - 15:42
Thanks! That is what we are thinking - I already go to Doha monthly for work, so know my way around etc and we know the culture. We just don't know whether to take 'easy' option of a sort of know the ropes place like Doha but be stuck with all the frustrations that brings or go for a whole new set of frustrations in China! We will figure it out. Many thanks
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 December 2011 - 12:01
I know it doesn't help you - but really the staff are totally unprofessional - giving you her name and cc details? What if you were a fraud???(not saying you are, but they shouldn't be adding grief onto grief!) I'd be asking to see camera footage and would be going to the cops - I always check what cc I am using as I have two and want to use the one that gets me airmiles. Does the name match with her nationality? <em>edited by DesertBoot on 19/12/2011</em>
DesertBoot
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 December 2011 - 10:12
55 dirhams. We went on Friday, made fatal error of not getting there til about 12pm, about 40 families in queue, was not going anywhere fast, so we left - a guy in the Rivoli shop said that weekend queues are heaps worse than weekdays.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 10:01
Try Decathlon at Mirdiff CC. Ring them first and check prices, but I think I saw them there and thought they were reasonable.
DesertBoot
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 December 2011 - 20:42
Is he Inspector Gadget?
DesertBoot
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 December 2011 - 15:24
High maintenance craft class! Galleries Lafayette food hall sell yoghurts in little glass jars.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 December 2011 - 20:58
Try Tchibo, they come and go in there but heaps less than 720 dirham. They are also in Galleries Lafayette, but I think they'd be expensive there as well.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 December 2011 - 19:48
You are kidding right? Since witchcraft and black magic type stuff is a highly punishable offence in UAE, do you really think you will find voodoo stuff here...or anyone who will admit to it? I don't think OP is talking about voodoo ala Haiti, there is a brand of knife block called Voodoo.....
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 December 2011 - 19:47
If you're talking about the stabbing victim style knifeblock, I think I have seen them here - either in Tavola or Jones the Grocer. I know I have seen them, will just try to thin of where and will come back on if I do.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 December 2011 - 12:15
Don't go near the Lush Hip Hotel - absolutely the worst hotel we have ever stayed in, in a long and varied travel career! Hubby reckons it my fault for actually booking a hotel with such a pretentious name!
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 December 2011 - 16:13
Aren't the majority of threads pointless then? Rants about shop assistants, DEWA, landlords, kids falling out of windows etcetec?
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 December 2011 - 15:55
I asked one of the Mums at our nursery why she bothers shelling out for the kids to go to nursery, considering that they will either be dead or brain damaged soon enough by her driving and lack of restraints for them. Needless to say, we don't have coffee together after drop off!
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 December 2011 - 15:44
Sorry, for you and bub. Make sure she is not having anything acidic, like oranges etc, then try microstat - if you have tried, there is a purple liquid, you put on, it has always worked for us - it is in a little bottle like vanilla essence and is called Violet someting - sorry I am not at home, so can't check name. Also try cloth nappies if you can stand it.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 December 2011 - 12:25
Apparently they have ceased production so what you can get is all that will ever be available.
DesertBoot
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 December 2011 - 16:33
Thanks MegDXB. Apparently the employer will provide a driver both fo work and domestic use, but I think I would still like to be near a metro station as well. Thanks Meg, any insight would be great! Also, are all rentals furnished? edited by DesertBoot on 01/12/2011 <em>edited by DesertBoot on 01/12/2011</em>
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 December 2011 - 16:03
Michellelite, thank you for your time, this is a great help. I hope Dubai is treating you well!
DesertBoot
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 December 2011 - 11:56
Green-ish, I don't know where you are on the SC, but the petrol station on Gympie Terrace at Noosaville has driveway service on certain days - worth the drive from Gympie!!! It does indeed...I discovered that one only last week!! :D I think it's Mon-Thurs during school hours. lol Thanks for the reminder. I'm heading down there tomorrow morning for stand-up paddle boarding. What a crappy life on the Sunshine Coast. :D I live three mins from Noosa Civic, just off the Eumundi Road. :D Don't make me greenish with envy.......though I do SUP on Saadiyat every Friday, just ain't quite Noosa River....
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 December 2011 - 11:29
Green-ish, I don't know where you are on the SC, but the petrol station on Gympie Terrace at Noosaville has driveway service on certain days - worth the drive from Gympie!!!
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 December 2011 - 11:29
Great! thanks
DesertBoot
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 December 2011 - 10:59
I have just been offered a job in Shanghai and am very interested. Was wondering if anyone on here has lived there, and how it compares to here? We have a young family of two toddlers, and I am just wondering about the lifestyle, cost of living etc and any pitfalls to be aware of? Many thanks in advance.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 November 2011 - 16:37
The OP is talking about The Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, not the one in Jumeirah. So no the big bus tour will not do and taxis are not that freely available there. Better to arrange to hire a taxi here and get him to stay and wait for you. There is organised tours through the major tour companies, but if you hire a driver for the day you can then tail make a tour of Abu Dhabi to cover any other sites you'd like to visit. Conducted mosque tours at 10 and 11 are well worth joining, no need to book in advance. I was talking about the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in AD, sorry for confusion. There are always taxis there, so if they come down on a taxi they will be able to get another back to Dubai.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 November 2011 - 15:47
There are always heaps of taxis waiting there, so they would have no problem during the day getting a cab. Big Bus is expensive for what you get IMO.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 November 2011 - 15:45
I have a few friends who have come here as single parents or who have divorced here with no issues. [b'>Only one friend could not come, as her son did not have a father named on his birth certificate and she could find no way around it.[/b'>[u'>[/u'> I am a single mother who sponsors my son. He does not have a fathers name on birth certificate and it was not a problem. That's interesting. Who knows why cases are treated differently. Glad to hear that you got your visas no problem.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 November 2011 - 14:54
I have a few friends who have come here as single parents or who have divorced here with no issues. Only one friend could not come, as her son did not have a father named on his birth certificate and she could find no way around it.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 November 2011 - 21:13
We go to Austswim lessons at BISAD every Saturday, mainly Dads and bubs, they are fantastic lessons. http://www.aiswimschools.com/venues.php?id=6
DesertBoot
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 17:12
Just no idea. An hour after delivery, us feeling all loved up, stoopid nurse told my husband he was a good man not to leave me considering how old I was and how long we had been married before I gave him a child.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 17:03
My pet peeve - it just infuriates me and I am sure that whole extended families do not have a genetic inability or mobility issue - they are just lazy and selfish!!! Even worse when wheelchair users have to wait, for an empty lift while young, mobile people stare out of the lift at them!!!
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 October 2011 - 15:08
Happy to meet over the weekend so you know I don't have 2 heads if you also have a baby you would like me to mind! I'm Australian and 35 yrs old and very reliable. dited by NinaSimone on 27/10/2011 Not from Tassie then?
DesertBoot
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 October 2011 - 21:15
ADPat is right, go across to other forum mentioned, despite BB2's lovely response. Schooling places will be hard to get straight away, on the other forum someone has done a list of schools and their fees, so that is a really good start. You could furnish a house cheaply enough - there are always a lot of second hand furniture notices, IKEA etcetc and you can just add to basics as you get on your feet. You will not save anything or send any money home on that amount - can I ask what industry/role it is in and at least it will give some idea of whether the employer is taking the **** or not. Will you work when you get here as well? To rent a small sedan is about AED2300 per month Groceries at least 2500 per month Power and Water in a villa 600-1000 per month Phone/Internet Package 500 per month You could get a villa in Khalifa City B, Mohammed Bin Zayed City (30 minutes from CBD) with that housing allowance. Be aware that you have to pay the rental agent a fee, not the landlord and also that you will have to pay rent upfront or in 2 cheques for a year. School charge extra for buses etcetc. I am sorry to hear of your husbands lack of work, but I would not come for that package, and wonder about the integrity of an employer who would offer it to a family knowing how expensive this place is getting. Best of luck with whatever you decide.
DesertBoot
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 October 2011 - 16:37
During my stay in Doha, I was strongly advised never to stop and help anyone who had collapsed in the street or mall etc as you could be in so much trouble if you did help and the person died. There is good, bad and apathy in every country. Thank you, what a great post. This incident - http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1585925.htm about a lady who had a stroke at a bus stop where nobody helped, in Queensland, Australia, made me pretty ashamed to be Australian at the time, and I am sure there are plenty of Chinese who are disgusted by this incident. We have also been told that a good samaritan law is non existent here and know a doctor who was interrogated and charged with murder due to a patient that died after a horrific accident, as he was the last person to treat him. RIP little girl.
DesertBoot
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 October 2011 - 12:24
Try Sofra BLD at the Shangri La, or the buffet at the Fairmont - used to be called Elements, now it's Kuisine ir something like that (probably nothing like that). Shangri La is nicest though and great views, have a nice night.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 October 2011 - 12:00
Once a week you should reverse up against a wall and check your lights in the mirror. same as oil/fluid checks. I check mine by looking at their reflection on the chrome bumper bar of the landcruiser that is 10 cm away from the back of my car doing 160km an hour.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 October 2011 - 11:39
Probably too far for you - but I just saw them in Amazon Bird Shop in Shahama - AD, if you can't find one in Dubai let me know and I can get one for you.
DesertBoot
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 October 2011 - 09:56
Just looking online at doing a travel course, I have always been interested and while here thought it maybe a good time to do some study. But not sure if I am wasting my time, wanted to do maybe a small business working from home while here. Any suggestions as to the best way to go with this. TIA for any advice. Unless you are an Emirati you cannot legally operate a business from home. Sorry to be a dream killer.
DesertBoot
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 October 2011 - 09:53
... I particularly like the quote [i'>"Provided that good standards of hygiene are followed by salons, members of the public are unlikely to get an infection from a fish spa pedicure"[/i'>... hmmm... in Dubai?! Yeah, and what are they going to do, clean the fishs' teeth after every customer.
 
 
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