GinaM | ExpatWoman.com
 

GinaM

GinaM
514
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 19:08
You and half of Qatar! ;) Better arrange a pick up for the kids as you'll probably be there for hours! LOL! although from what I hear there might be nothing left - I've seen pictures on Facebook posted by people who went today and you'd think it was a once off purchase opportunity from the enormous amounts that they bought! Nothing quite like sharing the wealth and going for moderation heh! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 November 2011 - 16:00
Boxed wine can do that to you when you've been here too long Marycatherine....I've been known to be fixated by it once or twice as well! ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 November 2011 - 11:41
I spoke to a friend this morning who was there renewing her licence yesterday. She was told December as well - they are bringing in new staff for this new "venture" and are waiting on them/their RP's and the first shipment (from Denmark apparently). Second shipment is apparently from UK.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 November 2011 - 11:37
No issues going in or out of Australia with just one parent. I've done it many many times.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 November 2011 - 07:42
You must have been pre occupied with all the grog Marycatherine ;) ....I was there 1 1/2 weeks ago and the cold room was completely gutted and they were working on it. :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 November 2011 - 07:37
I switched from an iphone 3 to a 4 a few weeks ago. Took about 10 minutes to change to a micro sim at Qtel and they didn't charge anything.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 16 November 2011 - 15:53
The Pearl QDC will not be opening until around March/April of next year. But the coldroom in the existing QDC is currently being prepared for the arrival product later this week/next week (that was told to me directly from the source a week and a half ago and if you go to QDC you can see the work being done on the coldroom). It will be coming from Holland.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 November 2011 - 07:20
Sorry - don't mean to take away from their tragedy - I had a house burn down in my 20's and I lost everything other that the clothes I had with me so I know what it is like. It does highlight the need for insurance though (as you can see, having been through it myself - and fortunately I was insured - I am a HUGE advocate for insurance) IMMEDIATELY - you should arrange it before you move a single item of furniture as anything is possible. Doha insurance also do a good policy and it is cheap (I think we pay around QR500 a year for over QR200,000 cover). You can ring up and they will give you cover straight away and they just send you a renewal each year.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 November 2011 - 20:09
And take out contents insurance...it never fails to amaze me how many people in this country don't take out insurance - I guess they assume that they will never be burgled but don't take into account the appalling electrical circuitry in most places and the high fire risk that brings with it! :(
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 November 2011 - 15:13
Yes, you will be on a family visa and no you don't need your own sponsor to be able to work (your husband is your sponsor). Technically you should be registered as a working woman if you are going to work but a lot of women work here without registering. Just to let you know though that (again technically) you can be fined for working without being registered although I don't personally know anyone who ever has been. Registering is quite a painful process as well! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 November 2011 - 22:17
We went to the Grand Hyatt last week and I found it quite limited and very slow on the fizz side. Ritz is great (like Lulubaker I just asked for cheese and they brought me out a selection), I think you can't go past the Marriott if you have kids and for the selection of foods and amount of fizz they give you - I don't really find it frantic as it is a big area with lots of food stations so you never are waiting for anything. Ramada is ok - I would rate it better than the Hyatt but behind the Ritz and the Marriott. Haven't been there but if you don't have kids in tow I've heard that the W is really really good....they actually bring the selection of foods that you pick to the table for you apparently. ETA - I found the Oryx OK but wasn't a huge fan - didn't seem to be that much selection to me and nothing for the kids although we went a while ago so maybe they have changed that. They also have brunch in The Cellar though which I've heard is good. <em>edited by GinaM on 11/11/2011</em>
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 November 2011 - 19:05
I've got some large needles Rachel (possibly darning needles....not being a sewing person (as opposed to sewer which I originally typed! LOL), but having been given an entire sewing kit by my mum at some stage in the hope that she would convert me, I'm not sure). If you ask one of our mutual friends I'll give one to them to pass on to you to borrow. No idea about the thread but I would guess that you could probably double/triple etc thread over and it might be effective.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 November 2011 - 12:52
Don't spread it around too much ccdoha or he'll start getting too busy to fit us in! LOL! ;) I love Roger too - he is really good on colour as well but I do particularly like the way he cuts. The cuts last a long time too (well on my hair they do). I used to colour my own hair (including doing my own highlights) and that is fine for a while but the quality of the dye is not as good as salon and after a while it really starts to damage your hair - particularly with the climate and water here.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 19:38
He will ask you if you want it blow dried or finger dried ccdoha. I always just say finger dried cause I have straight hair anyway but I think that they do exactly the same thing (he still uses a brush) but just charge more for blow dry....so just go the finger dry! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 12:35
Now and then when I ring the Sheraton I get someone who is hard to understand etc - I just ring back or more generally I just make an appointment. I got my hair coloured, half head foiled, cut and dried by Roger the week before last and it cost QR680 for the lot. I think she must have misunderstood you....as happens in this country! :) Give it another try - I am so much happier with my hair these days than I have been the last 5 years in Doha going to other salons.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 09:14
We went to the waterpark yesterday and the water was pretty cold. Its closing next week for winter anyway. Which is probably good because I won't be rushing back. They charge full price for 6 year olds but they can only go on half the rides (no slides), the lifeguards just sit there blowing whistles and getting cranky at people (yes...it would be frustrating but thats part of the job and its a FUN park!!!) and (the big one!!!) they closed the wave pool for hours to do some Qatar foundation filming thing - no warning that they were going to do it, no reduction in price given that its one of the major attractions there, no apology....just lots of security guards pushing children out of the way when they tried to go in! Absolutely appalling in my opinion! You would think they would have enough brains to not do something like that on one of the days of Eid!!!
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 22:30
If you are sponsored by your husband (which I'm guessing from what you've said below about your husbands company) then it is actually him that needs to sponsor the maid. You can't sponsor a maid. He must already have his RP if you've done medical etc so you can start the process of finding a full time/live in (actually the only legal option other an going through an agency for parttime) straight away. Either way try on Doha Mums as well. We hired our maid through EW 4 1/2 years ago. It was good to be able to speak to her former employees rather than go through an agency where I'm thinking they will tell you anything.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 18:04
Hi Holmes For primary school DESS (Doha English Speaking School) probably has the best reputation and is also the cheapest but is very hard to get into especially at the ages you are looking at. If you have UK passports though its worth putting your name down. Doha College also has a good reputation but is hard to get into. After that its probably Parkhouse and Sherbourne which I think are a little easier to get into. Doha Montessori seems to get really mixed reviews. Good luck.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 05 November 2011 - 20:25
I buy my bras back home in Australia when I'm on holidays. I don't know whether us antipodeans are built differently in that area to the poms but I have never found a bra at M&S (or anywhere else in Qatar for that matter) that fits me properly. They always seem to fit in some places and gape in others!
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 November 2011 - 18:58
Apollo on Salwa Road - its the only place you can get proper teak oil if that is what you are after. ETA you will probably find that the growth is related to the sun exposure rather than training of the plant. <em>edited by GinaM on 01/11/2011</em>
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 November 2011 - 18:47
Hi EssexGirl. Unfortunately I don't have much information for you but I do work in Vocational education in Qatar and even more unfortunately it is generally for locals only - very sad since I think it would be beneficial to put some back into the other people who live and contribute to the country but thats another story. There is actually very little vocational education here to start off with. You could look at CNAQ but if you aren't a local then any education is quite expensive here. Other places like the Community College are for locals only at this stage. Perhaps distance education might be an option? I think that until at least 18, if not 21 or maybe even 25, they can stay under your sponsorsip.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 31 October 2011 - 12:01
To be quite frank I don't think there are any good dermatologists in Doha. They seem to just prescribe creams etc without ever doing any tests and it seems a bit hit and miss with them. I've heard awful things about Al Ahli. I sent my maid to Hamad for a skin infection and they told her that they didn't have any dermatologist!!! (Completely untrue its just that the Hamad ones are in another location/hospital...but of course a standard reply here when they aren't sure of the answer!). I go to Doha Clinic and they are ok but really - I go and get tested for things like skin cancer etc at home in Australia as I know the quality of Dermatologist is so much better there (sorry...not much of a solution!).
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 24 October 2011 - 22:16
Lots of things are strange here! :) Ours is not to question why....! ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 24 October 2011 - 21:29
Australian's can get visas at the airport on entry but if you leave at any stage you have to pay again when you come back...even within the one month. But on the bright side you can just keep buying them on entry! ;) ETA - sorry should have said - same with UAE, Oman etc...you can get visa at the airport both on first entry and on subsequent entries...no need to organise in advance. <em>edited by GinaM on 24/10/2011</em>
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 24 October 2011 - 21:27
Yes - just recently got some folders delivered with paperwork in them for work and got charged customs! I was shocked as have had things (pretty much the same) delivered many times without any customs and I asked the guy why there was a charge all of a sudden. I didnt' get an answer but had to pay!!! I think its a new thing!
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 24 October 2011 - 21:24
Hi Anthea, If you have got a space for the 7 year old then I would take it. You can put the 4 year old in a nursery no problems. I don't think that it will limit you in terms of moving schools either. I've been here 5 years (from sydney) and know lots of people who have moved their kids from one school to another - in fact it happens quite regularly. Once you are here its much easier to keep in contact with the schools. I also don't know anyone who hasn't got into one school or another. Who have you applied to? Sherbourne? Doha Montessori? Parkhouse? Doha College? They are the main ones (apart from DESS but without a british passport that is a long shot). In terms of an english speaking nanny to teach them - I wouldn't go there myself. You will either pay a LOT of money or end up with someone who really isn't qualified and doesn't have good english.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 October 2011 - 08:44
I love Roger ccdoha. Not sure how much for a cut but for a colour plus highlights plus cut for me its normally around the 600 mark.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 19 October 2011 - 17:12
Wow....QR920!!! Thats more than I pay back home or in the UK for a haircut and over a third on top again of the most I've ever paid here (for exactly the same thing!). How much are Glow charging these days if QR920 looks reasonable compared to their prices?? I've tried 4 seasons, Dados, Marie claire, Glow over the years and now go to Roger at the Sheraton.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 October 2011 - 16:05
My little one was too little to care as well when we moved here but I also moved every couple of years as a kid. Kids are very resilient and bounce back very very fast - much faster than us adults. I just thought it was normal until I turned about 13! In saying that though maybe you can explain to him that you aren't moving to Qatar forever (I presume you aren't!) and that its just a bit of an adventure. Do you have an idea of when you first visit back home will be? Perhaps if you also talk about that and how he'll be able to tell all his friends about his adventure in the desert then that might help. We visit home at least once if not twice a year so my son (even thought only 1 when we moved here and is 6 now) is very aware that one day we will be leaving Qatar and, at this stage, he is fine with that.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 October 2011 - 21:15
If you're an aussie come down to the Rugby Club on sunday to watch the game Safiya Dafiya! ;) Much more atmosphere than watching it at home anyway! Ok....even if you're a kiwi come down! ;) I just got a text message from Mosaic....might possibly be some explanation however as I don't read arabic it is completely useless to me!! :(
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 October 2011 - 16:39
Wash your mouth out Baffled! LOL ;) 2 more and the mortgage is done!! (Well unless the damn Aussie dollar keeps going the way its going!!)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 October 2011 - 15:59
Sorry for prejudging a bit. :) Why don't you teach the maid to use Skype and then you can interact with the baby as well....just a thought. Bit harsh being deported for importing something like that...its not like its actually illegal. I would have thought that confiscation at the most would have been sufficient.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 October 2011 - 13:16
Hi Baffled. I don't know what the issue is but I hope that it all isn't too stressful for you and that it gets sorted out quickly. I'm having a bit of a Doha day myself (obviously nothing like yours by the sound of it) and my sympathy goes to you - sometimes the frustrations and illogicalness (is that a word...if not it should be!! :) ) just seem insurmountable! On the bright side, you'll not have to worry about the ways of this world in a few weeks....can I have a place in your suitcase? ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 October 2011 - 13:02
I'm not Mac and haven't changed computers for a couple of years.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 October 2011 - 12:20
Hmmm...can't think of any school where a south african passport would take precedence over a US one. Very strange. May just be a case of being in the right place at the right time....sad as that is! :(
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 October 2011 - 12:08
I know I probably shouldn't go here but are you considering this in relation to your maid or a nanny? If its a nanny (and I tend to use that word very lightly in this country) and you feel that you have reason to record her without her knowledge (presumably) then aren't you concerned about leaving children with her? If she is doing something to the children then its a bit late after the fact to do something about it.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 October 2011 - 11:50
I used to stay logged in forever (as in never logged in for probably a year) but now as soon as I close down the EW window I have to relog in. Very painful. Not sure about the 4 hours cause I don't think I ever have it open that long.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 October 2011 - 11:43
It coud be to do with the passports that you children hold and the ones that your friends hold. Some schools give priority to some nationalities - for example DESS is sponsored by the british embassy in Qatar and they give priority to British passport holders.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 October 2011 - 21:58
When we got here we bought our gas cylinders for QR25 each (with QR15 refill cost) and then about a year or two back they seemed to jack the price up out of sight...not quite sure why or if its only the big service stations doing that. You'll see trucks going around with cylinders on the back - grab the number of one of those and I bet you'll find them heaps cheaper. Re them being exposed to the heat - ours sit outside in the middle of summer fully exposed to the heat and sun and have done for years with no problems. I wouldn't worry about that - they are pretty secure - otherwise half of Doha would be blowing up in the middle of August each year! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 October 2011 - 21:53
I actually thought that Aspire was cheaper than that but either way I dont' think you will find any other club membership that will cost less. That is pretty competitive - both for here and overseas. :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 20:31
This is from Qatar visitor - "While under the old traffic law drivers could use an International Driving Licence for six months, under the new traffic law drivers can use an International Driving Licence for an indefinite period. However, once again neither the police on the ground or the hire car companies seem aware of this, so for now it is probably worth obtaining a Qatar Driving Licence after the initital six months has worn out." My husband and I both used our international licences for 3 months until our RP's came through (admitedly 5 years ago) and my husband was even pulled over in that time and asked for his licence with no problems at all (in fact I think it saved him from a fine as the police obviously thought it was just too hard to handle an international licence).
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 20:22
You definitely don't need an NOC if you are buying a new car without a loan. You will probably find that the person selling the car needs the NOC to show that their company has no claim against them (and hence the car) and that the PRO just confused things (as they often do!).
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 03 October 2011 - 15:44
Hi Margarita. There is no scheduled immunisations for 7 year olds. It goes from 4 years then nothing till 10 - 13 years of age. See http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/nips2. I had my sons up to age 4 done in Australia on holidays simply so it was in the computer system over there but I have also had him immunised for Hep A, Thyphoid and TB over here at Doha Clinic when he was about 2 1/2 or 3.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 October 2011 - 17:50
Have you tried calling him on his mobile Baffled? Let me know if you don't have the number. I hear you on the receptionist thing...I've had close to physical fights with some of the receptionists at Doha Clinic ("Dr so and so is on holidays", "when is he back?", "don't know"..."so you don't have to let the hospital know how long you are going on holidays for?".....agh). To be fair to Doha Clinic they aren't alone here - lets face it, none of us came to this part of the world for the customer service now did we! ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 23:14
You know its really funny cause we moved to the middle east 5 years ago for....as you can guess...the money. But I find myself saying to people that we moved here for the family time (as well as the money). After reading this thread I wonder where I got that from. I'm lucky that my husband does have 2 days off on the weekend but I have a lot of friends whose husbands work regularly on Saturdays. I don't ever recall anyone suggesting we would have more family time...what I do remember is that I would not have to work if I didnt want to so somehow in my head that meant more family time. Did any of us really think that the middle east equated to more family time or have we just somehow created that image? Companies do work their staff really hard in this region but there is the financial payoff and you might find that you husband is feeling a bit of pressure of suddenly having to provide security for a little one (in fact - and I really don't meant to put pressure on you here - but he is now responsible for 3 people instead of just one before). <em>edited by GinaM on 29/09/2011</em>
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 22:31
You'll probably find that in Dubai they just hit on the 'recent threads' button since it moves so fast over there whereas we in Qatar tend to press on the "Qatar" button - hence we get specific and they get everything recent without it obviously showing where the thread is from. Hey - at least they are trying to help! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 September 2011 - 12:00
I was speaking to a woman on the weekend who works for a law firm here. She said that your will from your home country is valid here but it needs to specify the assets that you have in this country.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 September 2011 - 21:30
Qatar ID is just the ID card that you get when you get your RP (so basically a photo card that you carry around with you with your RP number, photo etc on it). I think you might always have to have it in the sponsor name - I think it is more dependant on the lease name than on the RP/ID name but could be wrong. Perhaps if you take in a letter from the sponsor saying that you are living in the property and they give you permission for the account to be in your name...however having dealt with Kahramaa on a number of ocassions I have to say I don't hold out my hope for you! ;) We've lived in a place where the electricity was in someone elses name (the landlords) and it was no issue at all - we just paid it online and didn't wait to get the bill (months later!) from them.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 September 2011 - 19:54
When we arrived here 5 years ago we definitely opened up an electricity account before getting RP's (6 weeks after arriving and after having the electricity cut off 3 days before xmas...the previous tenants didn't cancel their account and you can't open a new account on a property until the old one is closed....hmmm...you'd think they'd just be happy for someone to agree to pay but lets not get into that can of worms! :) ). At the time you actually needed the lease rather than the RP - I don't think that has changed but either way I think you will find that the electricity account will have to be in the sponsor's name since the lease is in their name. That isn't a major issue though as he can just give you his company registration number (or something like that) and you can use that to log on to the online system and just pay the bill directly once a month.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 September 2011 - 18:01
The last few winters have been really mild and I haven't used heaters at all but I have in the past worn gloves in Qatar. Its got down as low as 4 since I've been here...which is glove weather in my book (and sitting on radiator weather too)! :) Boots are definitely able to be worn here during winter (normal winter day is around 20 ish give or take a few degrees) and gets down to around 10 ish at night. I have all my winter gear here (we brought everything over with us but in saying that I'm from Sydney, Australia so my winter clothing quota was probably fairly small - and has shrunk even more since getting here) and wear coats out at night regularly in winter.
 
 
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