GinaM | ExpatWoman.com
 

GinaM

GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 March 2012 - 10:54
Went a couple of years ago to Bentota and absolutely loved it. I would recommend staying just north of the airport though rather than south as the traffic is a NIGHTMARE! Took us 4 hours to go 90kms from the airport to Bentota. The people are just lovely though, food great etc.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 March 2012 - 10:52
It exists Dan Lou but I have heard very mixed reports about it. Firstly your landlord has to register your lease with them (which technically he is obligated to do within a certain amount of time) but if he hasn't lodged it then they won't do anything (at least this was the case last I heard of someone going to them but that was a while ago)....hmmmm.....interesting given that its generally the landlords that don't do things like lodge leases that you need to go see a committee like this for!!!!
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 March 2012 - 15:02
Thanks Rachel. I'll try Mirqab St tomorrow. I did go to 51 East on Salwa but they don't do it. Notmyrealname - yes it still works fine (the main reason I was so furious with the guys at City Centre) - the glass is just cracked and shattered down in one corner so its probably just a matter of time before it starts disintergrating and falling out. Will let you all know how I go.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 March 2012 - 15:32
Does anyone know anywhere else to get an ipod screen replaced. I took my sons into xpo centre yesterday, went back today to pick it up and they said "oh, we tried charging it and it wouldn't charge so we didn't do anything"....agh....I was furious - firstly I HATE going to city centre so did 2 trips there for nothing, secondly it worked and still works perfectly fine (didn't occur to them that perhaps turning it on when charging might work), and thirdly they had my phone number and could have called me to talk about it (I would have told them to just fix the bl**dy screen like I was paying them to do and not play with the thing). Needless to say I stormed out of there and won't be returning...and so am now in search of a competent repairer! :(
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 25 February 2012 - 20:56
I send things to Australia now and then through Amarex. They aren't cheap though.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 February 2012 - 22:54
Ring up one of the tourist companies (Arabian Adventures etc) and they should be able to help you out.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 February 2012 - 22:53
Tim Tams (and in fact lots of Arnotts biscuits) are cheaper here now than back home - unbelievably they are so commonplace that the corner shop on our compound next door sells them....but vegemite is still ridiculously expensive and often out of stock so if you have a supplier then stock up now! ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 February 2012 - 22:49
Sinusitis is a real problem here - I hardly knew what it was till I arrived here but suffer from it now....all the dust in the air! :( I've been taking my son to Doha Clinic for the last 5 1/2 years - he's pretty resilient and hardly ever has to go to the Doctor (hasn't been for over a year now and probably at least a year before that if not more) but the pediatricians I have seen there have been pretty good - they don't seem to be free and easy with the antibiotics (particularly the lady ped if she is still there from a year back) and have more often prescribed naturapathic type medicines.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 February 2012 - 22:18
I'd suggest giong and talking to the parents but if the child is like that at that age (particularly the spitting on the ground bit as a sign of disdain....thats a disguisting habit she's learnt from someone older!!!) then it doesn't reflect well on what the parents are like!! I've got to say that I've seen way too many children, and adults, treat maids (and I'm guessing that if the 'nanny' accepted that behaviour then she is definitely not a trained nanny but a lowly paid maid!) appallingly bad - a lot from countries who I would have thought would have been brought up better themselves and have more respect for other people! You have to just shake you head and sigh at times unfortunately!
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 February 2012 - 11:39
Family Dental Clinic just off C ring are very good in my opinion.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 February 2012 - 11:38
I work but I take the majority of my holidays during the summer break (at least 4 weeks) as do all of the working mums that I know. The rest of the time I arrange play dates for my son (I check with friends when they are going away so we aren't here when everyone else is gone and vice versa), and put him into soccer camp for a week or two. I also tend have my holidays in the middle of the summer block so that he doesn't have one period of 4 weeks off, 4 weeks on holidays then back to school but rather a few weeks off, holidays, few weeks back etc (fortunately most of my friends/my sons friends mums tend to do the same). You will find that this year Ramadan falls right in the middle of the holidays so you should be working shorter hours which will help. I would really recommend arranging playdates etc though as not quite everyone leaves the place - even if you were at home wouldn't you go crazy playing with your kids for 2 months? Your maid will still have her work to do so I wouldn't be relying on her keeping them happy and occupied.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 February 2012 - 11:30
Not that this helps the OP but companies in Qatar must inform your bank when your last working day/pay cheque will be. The bank will not, contrary to popular belief, freeze your account. It will limit the balance so that it doesn't fall below any outstanding debt that you have - but any monies that you have above the amount owed will be available.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 February 2012 - 15:29
I've never seen ready to go here but have seen sachets that you can make up at MegaMart....haven't used them so no idea if they are good or not! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 February 2012 - 09:20
We used AIM from sydney to doha and they were fantastic Oz end, not quite so fantastic this end but ok. It cost us AUD$7500 but we moved everything - 20ft container and it was over 5 years ago. Give them a call for a quote though - they were the cheapest I found at the time and did turn out to be great.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 30 January 2012 - 17:43
Unfortunately Qatar isn't really booming at the moment - there are a lot of contracts pending out there but they aren't being awarded in a hurry - not sure why - perhaps 2012 is still considered too far in the future! In fact a lot of people in construction think 2012 has had more of a damaging effect as people are taking time to do things. The other problem that you have in a situation like yours is that things don't happen in a hurry here so if you are on a tight deadline to leave the region you might find that things don't move fast enough. sorry for the negativity - on a more positive note he is probably best off just approaching the major construction/project management companies. Recruitment companies - check on line - there are quite a few uk based ones that tend to advertise jobs in construction here.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 January 2012 - 23:11
Used our British plug (so no adaptor needed) column heater here tonight for the first time in the last few years (it was bought here). Just unplugged it after about 4 hours to discover the plug starting to melt (you can see where it is melting) and very hot to touch so don't assume that not using an adaptor makes it fine. Hubby has just cut the plug off to make sure no one plugs it in again. At the end of the day most electrical outlets here are dodgy no matter what you plug in!
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 19 January 2012 - 18:53
you're right lalala - its not the company that insists on the blood type its the government. Your blood type is listed on your RP and even if you know it and have documentation from somewhere else you still (and that means everyone including children) need to get it done here. Its very simply though - like lalala says its a pinprick test (my son had it done at 17 months and it wasn't an issue) and costs QR30 at any clinic/hospital. Anth - its not so much which way the wind is blowing but how competent (or otherwise) the company you are working for is! My RP took 3 months 5 1/2 years ago - in that time I've seen people wait 8 months (very rare) and others get theirs in 48 hours (exceptional!). Generally speaking it will take a month or two. Good luck with it! Does your husband have a job here yet? If he does then you might want to consider getting him to sponsor you (if they company you are working for will go for that) - its really much easier being on your husbands sponsorship - you can change jobs without getting an NOC, don't need an exit permit to leave the country etc. Or try and sponsor him (a little bit harder) - just nice to have one of you at least able to leave the country at the drop of a hat if necessary. Food for thought! :) How's the weather in Oz? I hear there is a heat wave on (we are from Sydney).
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 January 2012 - 21:17
http://www.evosoccer.com/
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 21:48
Went to Sri Lanka a few years back....LOVED it. The traffic is appalling getting through Columbo but once you've done that it is great - people are fabulous, food is great, weather (we went in April) was fantastic. can't comment on the trekking as the furthest my b*tt trekked was from the resort room, to the pool to the little village centre! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 21:39
Every airline that I've ever come up against this issue with has said the same thing - the outbound and inbound flights are linked and if you don't take one, you don't get the other! :( (Unless you have of course booked them as 2 separate flights!) DebK - I'm suprised they didn't give you a full refund when the whole volcano thing was happening. I would have fought that one to the death!! If they will give you a refund on outbound then its pretty logical that you should get one one inbound too! (opps....am I trying to apply logic to airlines in the middle east....hmmm...double error there heh! ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 January 2012 - 20:36
Carrefour sell disposal bbq's. I think you can pretty well guarantee that you can't take one to Aspire park (given that bikes, footballs, kites, roller blades, bachelors, animals - in fact pretty well anything that you would generally do in a park are banned there now!). You're best bet would probably be to go to a beach. I seem to have a very vague memory of seeing set up bbq's here somewhere but my husband says I'm just dreaming of Australia! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 January 2012 - 21:53
We went to the new steak restaurant at the Marriott/Renaissance just before christmas and saying we were disappointed is an understatement. Firstly the WHOLE restaurant is smoking (why that is necessary I have no idea), the wine was marked up by over 400% in some cases and the steak was woeful - really overpriced and looked (and tasted) like a steak sandwich cut - about a cm thick if that and had had the cr*p bashed out of it (now I know my steaks and a good steak does not need to be beaten!). Sides were extra and weren't much to write home about either. They are trying to be fine dining but just haven't got it together. Bentleys at the Ramada on the other hand is excellent - not cheap but at least you get value for money there. The Italian at the Marriott/Renaissance if quite good though - and much better value for money.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 January 2012 - 22:07
I did wonder if you meant 3 x a week Sleepless50 but then figured that would be too cheap...on that basis I'd say its good value. Suzy99.....I couldn't do bodyrock the last 2 days....my core is TOOOO sore!! Ohhhhh! Will get back into it next week after the Aspire Aquathon this Friday! :) Concentrating on running this week!
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 January 2012 - 22:04
Picklz - I think glenfiddich was having a giggle at the fact that you specified a "mattress for maids" bed - rather than just asking about a single mattress. I would assume that you would get a single bed mattress at Home Centre or any another major furniture store...we got our sons bed at one of those shops.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 January 2012 - 16:37
LOL - I'm with you Amy! Does James Blunt even have 3 hours worth of material....or do I just think that because all of his songs sound exactly the same? ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 21:46
I've got a 6 year old boy and really would not recommend moving into an apartment - one of you will drive the other one insane. Look at compounds if you can so that your boy (and girl) have playmates close by and a safe outside area to play in. Regarding the traffic - it isn't great and there are a lot of idiots on the road but you get used to it and learn tricks of the trade so to speak (ie. don't hesitate when a space comes up!). If you google map it to give yourself an idea I drive from Al Waab (near Villagio) to DESS (near TV roundabout) each day for the school run and its generally about 30 minutes maximum each way at the worst times (ie. all schools in - the arab schools and the 'english' schools have different terms/semesters and such different holidays)....not too bad really.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 21:38
WOW....so basically QR500 per workout....I'd want substantial results and improvement for that!! ;) Have done a couple of days of Bodyrock susy99....ouch...my abs hurt! :) Fabulous use of a short amount of time - I might consider giving up running at this rate! LOL.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 January 2012 - 19:49
Thanks for that susy99, I'm a runner (well pretend to be one) but I looked up bodyrock.tv today and did Fridays. Very quick (which is great) but really quite an intense workout heh! Might try and keep it up! :) I wonder how long it will take me to get abs like them? ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 January 2012 - 19:46
I'm getting some prints framed at Studio Qatar at the moment (and have used them before). Drive past (and only just past) Studio Qatar and then take the road down the left hand side of that block of buildings and go behind it - you will see a sign at the back for Studio Qatar and you can park in their driveway there and go through the back door - way easier than dealing with the nightmare at the front! They have this great new glass in - museum glass...when the lady showed me the 3 bits of glass (normal, non reflective and museum) in the same panel I thought there was no glass in the middle bit (the museum glass)....it is amazing - you can't even tell that there is glass there and it doesn't dull the photos at all. Anyway....quite a bit more expensive (around 4 times the cost so for a small pic QR40 versus QR10) but if its a special print you might want to ask them about it.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 January 2012 - 15:56
I bought mine from either Virgin or Carrefour here and it has facetime.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 December 2011 - 17:09
Our first xmas in Doha our son was 1 year old, we had arrived 2 months before, our furniture etc arrived 3 days before (YES...3 days before, don't even ask what I was like for the 7 weeks before that or how often I threatened to get on a plane), our electricity was switched off 2 days before (long story re old tenant not having cancelled his account and my husband refusing to leave Kharamaa til they switched it back on) but at the end of the day it was Christmas - we invited some strays around (and its not hard to find them in Doha at xmas) and had a really great day - christmas is christmas...its about enjoying what you have not looking at what you had in the past. Embrace doing it somewhere new, get a turkey, wrap the presents and open the champers! Hope you have a great one! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 December 2011 - 16:58
We're on holidays at the moment and I just came on here to check on a rumour that I heard on Facebook re the alcohol ban. Very sad news as I agree that it is a step back - personally I never saw anyone falling over the place drunk at the Pearl and it is going to kill a lot of businesses. DebK - like everyone that I know in Doha, we use a driver/taxi when we go out for dinner and plan to drink - but if I'm going to have a dry meal there are lots of better options near my home that don't involve a 40 minute hassel with Doha traffic!
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 December 2011 - 17:49
LOL...I got my hair coloured (touch up) and cut by Roger yesterday. I've been to Nikki before and rate Roger way higher. In fact I'm concerned for the day that Roger leaves Doha...it just better be after me! ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 December 2011 - 17:45
Hi Margarita I'm heading home to Oz tonight...woo hoo!!! Sorry...shouldn't rub it in but VERY excited! :) I'll grab you one. We get back on 31 December. Send me an email to let me know how you want to get it off me. Enjoy Xmas in Doha - we we're here last year and my husband reakons its the best christmas he has had. ETA - by the way if you respond to this and I don't reply Margarita its just cause I'm on holidays and not viewing the board! :) I have added it to my list of "bring backs" though so won't forget! :) edited by GinaM on 07/12/2011 got your email Margarita so have taken my email address off here now! :) <em>edited by GinaM on 07/12/2011</em>
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 December 2011 - 18:14
I'm pretty sure I saw it at Megamart Express down the back in the egg section...didn't look closely but from a distance I thought "oh, look at that, Eggnog!" so it must have resembled it somewhat! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 December 2011 - 18:10
It does get easier once all the initial organising is done but just keep in mind that "2 weeks" or often "10 days" is a favourite phrase here - no idea why but it is said all the time when really the person saying it has no freakin idea how long!!! As time goes on some things actually get easier here (saving money, family time, spending time with friends, brunching, shopping, holidaying...LOL you get the idea). And also remember that moving anywhere is always difficult at first...albeit possibly not generally as challenging as in the middle east! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 05 December 2011 - 18:35
I wouldn't be suprised. I'm sure I've seen boys around that age driving...either that or they are VERY physically immature. Either way it is ridiculous and a danger to everyone on the road. I'm assuming that it is a western school - why don't you go and see the headmaster/mistress about it - if the story is true then they should be talking to the parents and telling them that it is not on for a child that age to drive themselves to and from school and they will not accept it. Its dangerous enough around the schools with the moronic adult drivers who go revving around! My sons school regularly posts things in the weekly newsletter regarding parents who don't put seatbelts on their children, dangerous driving etc and saying that is is not acceptable.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 December 2011 - 12:01
You don't need a new card. Just renew on line (when it will let you) and just keep using the old card.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 December 2011 - 11:59
I don't think they close during the day.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 02 December 2011 - 11:09
Hi Carrie Since you've been in Dubai for 4 years I don't think you'll find it too much of a change. Doha is smaller and quieter but possibly friendlier as well. The driving is appalling and seems to be getting worse and worse! Schooling is hard to get into but you've got a few years to worry about that. Re what you can/can't buy Doha is pretty good these days and there isn't too much you can't find. Vegemite is very expensive so bring that with you. Furniture shopping isn't great but there are some good shops around. All in all its a pretty social place with perhaps a bit more arabic culture than Dubai?? Good luck. I'm heading home to Oz for xmas too next week...woo hoo!!
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 02 December 2011 - 11:06
Try Go Sport at Villagio.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 November 2011 - 22:20
Definitely bring it from home...if you are big vegemite eaters the jars here will last you 2 seconds and cost you a mortgage. On the bright side (well for me as my son is addicted to them) Tim Tams are available EVERYWHERE (including corner stores) here now and are cheaper than back home half the time!! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 November 2011 - 20:26
Have heard its cancelled - no idea why...at a guess not enough stalls??
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 November 2011 - 20:15
Oh - I also saw a display of lots of christmasy things walking through Dean and Deluca today - didn't stop to look at the prices or what exactly was there (definitely xmas puddings though) as 1. we aren't here for christmas 2. last time husband went there he bought me a QR65 (yes...I did almost die when he told me what he had paid!) chicken caesar salad and brought it home and since it was fairly small, fairly average and used old lettuce I'm currently blackbanning them! ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 November 2011 - 20:11
Megamart have them in - non alcoholic of course...you could always get a needle though and inject some brandy in! ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 November 2011 - 17:53
I lost a diamond in my engagement ring a few years back and got the guys at Shine (in the gold souk area) to replace it for me. They are very trustworthy and were great - it was a small one but a square one and I lost it on holidays in Australia but couldn't get it replaced there as it wasn't a standard cut - no problem getting it done here. When you turn the corner from Al Fardan building coming off Grand Hamad street Shine is just in a little laneway about 100 m up on the right hand side (just ask someone and they'll probably be able to head you in the right direction - they are pretty well known.)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 November 2011 - 16:01
Try the Marriott - they do a Saturday brunch anyway so they might be "festivitying" it up! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 24 November 2011 - 16:11
We have our contents insurance with Doha Insurance - they are on C ring opposite the cinema (the block with the big blue canvas awnings out front). If you look on the fire thread that was on recently though there is at least one other insurance company listed there who does contents insurance too.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 November 2011 - 11:12
Just spoke to a friend who is out there now - she said the numbers of people there is laughable (cars lined up to get in at 10am) but that there seems to be plenty of stock and its not taking too long. :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 21:47
Well hopefully people will get over the frenzy mentality and learn to just buy what they might eat in a month (and lets face it - do you really need bacon every day??) and then we can all share in the "wealth"! :)
 
 
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