GinaM | ExpatWoman.com
 

GinaM

GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 30 May 2011 - 14:40
Now that you mention it I can't remember the last time I got offered gum. I've had all shops just rounding down for me for months (if not a year) now....and I haven't asked them to.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 30 May 2011 - 08:39
I used a lady in Doha for accupuncture with IVF a few years back - didn't work for me personally and she leaves Doha during the summer (not even sure if she is still in Doha). I tried hypnotherapy in Australia with IVF and that IVF was successful - the hypnotherapy may or may not have helped - who knows! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 May 2011 - 11:25
Yes, there is an HSBC outside near the road (Salwa) and there is another one inside the old Ramada (sorry - not sure which bank...maybe Doha).
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 May 2011 - 11:24
I haven't had any problems at all - in fact its been remarkably good. Samsarah - Skype is not blocked in Qatar (this is the Qatar board).
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 May 2011 - 19:42
I don't think you are expecting too much - its pretty well commonsense to not use a cloth on a floor and then directly on something that you are getting food or water out of. You really just need to explain what your expectations are, and repeat them fairly constantly from my experience - everyone likes things done differently anyway so best that it comes directly from you. To be fair its not the most exciting job on earth so I guess that laziness/complacency/boredom all set in and people probably try and take shortcuts now and then and also there is often a language barrier to some extent - even though my maid has been with us for 4 years and has very good english there are still lots of things that I have to explain 4 times before they are understood.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 May 2011 - 18:28
Agh....we're ordering pizza tonight and DH has just said "you know I thought that last time when we got pizza hut it was better than papa johns". This is partly because the last 2 times we have rung papa johns they haven't had about 50% of the stuff on the menu...like...no chicken....go figure!! ETA...now its getting really confusing as he's just pulled out the menu for Fabios and said "such and such said this was really good pizza". Might give that one a try! :) <em>edited by GinaM on 26/05/2011</em>
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 May 2011 - 17:35
me not like when i flush the toilet and hot steam comes up... You're leaving yourself wide open here GoodMorning! I'll resist! ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 May 2011 - 15:03
Papa Johns! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 24 May 2011 - 07:30
The 2006/2007 winter was soooo cold! That was the winter when it rained for about 6 weeks non stop...I remember on new years eve at midnight having gloves on it was so cold - think it got down to 4 or less! (OK....so I'm not english...in my book that is COLD! :) ). The last 2 winters I haven't used heaters at all but the few before that I used them on and off for a few days and in 2006/2007 they were on for weeks! :) I used to have to put 2 doonas (duvets) on the bed as well but haven't done that for a few years either.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 24 May 2011 - 07:25
I would have thought it would be quite easy here given the lack of people so if you have a slight knowledge in an area then you've got an advantage. In terms of getting into events management - see if you can get involved in the next IT exhibition/conference that is coming up and go that way.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 May 2011 - 21:20
You look forward to walking out of the malls into 50 degree heat just to warm up a bit! :) I thought it was a very mild winter - probably the mildest I've had here in 5 years....wasn't even tempted to bring out the heater. And it lasted sooooo long...was wonderful! :) Lets face it...its almost the end of May and its only just getting really hot...thats not too bad.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 May 2011 - 17:16
They can't get visa on arrival - they must get it before hand and I know some South Africans who have found it easy and others who have found it very difficult. Maybe someone with direct experience can give you more information.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 May 2011 - 08:06
I've been to the Grand Hyatt (quite a while ago) - it was not set up for children at all and I didn't see any there.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 May 2011 - 08:04
I looked into it a while ago as I send money home each month. Much as I dislike intensely HSBC there isn't actually much in it at all using an exchange or the bank (I also spoke to a friend who is very high up in the one the banks for his opinion and he confirmed that there isn't much in it). I decided that I couldn't be bothered using an exchange - its easier for me to just transfer from HSBC to my bank back home. They charge QR55 per exchange which is fine by me and the difference in rate is very very small.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 May 2011 - 19:46
I'd think you're best bet would be Boots.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 May 2011 - 10:43
I've got a friend who said that she searched everywhere in Doha for the capsule things but couldn't find them anywhere. Must be here somewhere though as the lounge out at the airport has them (unless they import them).
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 19 May 2011 - 10:57
A lot of expats here are Muslims - infact everyone who is not Qatari is an expat - not just westerners.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 19 May 2011 - 10:54
With kids the Marriott. Without kids the ritz or grand hyatt.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 May 2011 - 20:19
How did you go Rachel? No fine?
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 May 2011 - 20:17
Its a bit difficult to say - they have just introduced a new system whereby you make an appointment for your medical and unfortunately there seems to be a month wait for that. On the bright side I think that maybe that only applies for company sponsored people so as a spouse you may still be able to just go out and do the medical which will speed things up considerably. Ask the company when you can go for the medical and that will give you an idea - if you can go pretty well straight away then you "should" (read could if the person doing the legwork is efficient!) have your RP within the week. If they say that they have to get an appointment for you then you're probably looking at over a month. Once you do the medical you can do the fingerprints within a couple of days and then the next day they can go to immigration to get your RP stamped into your passport.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 May 2011 - 17:54
I only know the immigration at Khalifa so sorry can't help you with that. You'll need your passport, a couple of photos with blue background (may only be one but take 2 just in case) and you'll have to sign the form. They should be able to do it in the day - our's always get renewed in one day. Out of interest what visa are they talking about? Or do they just mean your RP? Good luck!!
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 May 2011 - 17:50
Have you completed your medical, fingerprints and blood grouping? If you have then it should be a matter of days.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 May 2011 - 19:57
Was it a good quiz Fajer? ie. have they got worse over the years?? The other morning I listened to that moron old guy talk about getting the runs from eating a curry on and off for 45 minutes...at 7 am!! Even my 6 year old didn't find toilet humour funny at that time. And to follow it up he then decided to talk over every song!!
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 May 2011 - 19:54
I always buy lots of those packaged fruit snacks for my 6 year olds lunch box when I'm home and bring them back...they are still packaged and have sugar added but at least they do have fruit in them and he will eat them. You can get some here but I find the ones back home tend to have less additives in them and are WAY cheaper. I also buy homous and arabic bread which he (and the rest of us) snack on. Other than that - nuts, dried banana bits/dried fruits, rice crackers, Tim Tams...opps...sorry you were after healthy not yummy heh! ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 May 2011 - 14:51
Since October 2006. We came for 3 years - will probably stay for another 2 - 3 years then back to Sydney.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 22:02
There is no fine - they give you at least a months grace. Our maids ran out last year - I'm sure it was over a month over due and we got charged nothing.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 May 2011 - 10:58
Bear in mind that once you cancel your RP you MUST leave the country within 7 days or they will start fining you. They will also freeze your bank account to an extent (I think its something like 2 x your credit card limits) so best to clear it out first. Once you leave Qatar you can't cancel your RP - you must do it from within the country and personally I think its best to make sure you do just in case you want to come back in the future...keep it tidy and all that! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 May 2011 - 10:56
There aren't really bad places to live here as such. Its more a case of finding somewhere to live that is convenient for school/work etc. There are supermarkets, salons etc all over the place. Your son will need to start school in September 2012 so you don't need to worry about putting his name down until 1 January although it wouldn't hurt to contact some schools now. It is very difficult to get places in schools over here and the earlier you start talking to them the better. In the meantime there are lots of good nurserys all around the place. In terms of working - you need to have your husbands permission to work. Once you find a job the company should be able to help you with the paperwork. There aren't really job sites here (for real estate either) - its pretty much word of mouth/contacting people etc. Re furniture - personally I'd bring it with me. I've had the same maid for 4 years now so not sure how easy/hard it is to get one but there are agencies here so if you don't have one already probably best to come over and see how you go. I've got a lot of friends who "borrow" maids from neighbours for babysitting. Regarding quality of life - its getting better. I've just been in Dubai for the weekend and there are lots more things to do there but things are opening up here like the beach at the cultural village, the water park etc. If you're not a party person I"m sure you'll get on just fine. Its just a slower pace of life without as much variety! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 May 2011 - 21:47
They finish their exams then and I guess that the SEC has just now decided that they may as well finish completely then. To be fair I doubt that any of them would have gone to school for the last 2 weeks anyway! I've heard nothing about that applying to the international schools though - in fact I heard through one of the local schools that it didn't apply to the international schools (same as the day off last week for the elections didn't apply to the international schools)...not that I would take that as meaning anything.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 May 2011 - 20:47
The local school are definitely finishing then.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 May 2011 - 17:07
Dr Giorgia works 8am to 2pm Saturday to Sunday but I think she sometimes gets called out to look after "VIP" patients on a Saturday so probably not the best day to go. If you go at 8am there is generally very little wait. I only have her mobile number so don't want to pass that on especially on a public forum. She was away on holidays about 3 weeks ago but is probably back by now.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 21:02
We've got both Mosaic and Showtime and in our old villa Showtime reception was "fineish" but in the new one - which is on Al Waab a stones throw from Villagio so not out of the way or anything - it is appalling. Every few minutes the screen just blanks out for a second. Mosaic is fine - drops out every now and then but no where near as much as Showtime. Also, I think that Showtime programming is just awful these days - whats with repeating a Greys episode for example one week later and still in prime time??!!! There is hardly anything on to watch these days and half the time I end up watching the free to air stuff on the mozaic tv.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 May 2011 - 09:59
We went a few weeks ago - didn't even see the kids area but all our kids ended up under the table playing PSP's! :) I actually wasn't that impressed with the food - the drink was very free flowing but I thought the variety of food was a bit limited.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 May 2011 - 20:24
We've got a few pretty big gecko's living with us at the moment. They freaked me out a bit at the begining but I've got a 6 year old and didn't want to pass on any creepy crawly phobias to him so made a bit of a game of it and we named them. I've got quite used to them now and they don't bother me much at all...and as a bonus we don't have mozzies. Now if they would just get rid of cockroaches...standing on one in the kitchen this morning (didn't realise till I heard the crunch) was about one of the most disgusting things I've ever experienced!!! :(
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 April 2011 - 20:39
I must fly to the wrong places...have always found their fares to be WAY more than other airlines. Anyway - good to hear that you got the refund in the end! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 April 2011 - 11:11
Why don't you try Crown or Runway....I'm pretty sure that they sell them. Not sure of Crown but Runways number is 55029247 or 44431529.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 25 April 2011 - 21:44
Has your husbands work asked for a copy of your passport yet? If they have then check if they are processing the family visa (which should take no time at all to get) - if they are then you will have to enter on it and not on a tourist visa (does he have his RP? If not, then they won't have done anything about the family visa yet). If the family visa is not processed then you can come in on a tourist visa (check that you are from one of the countries that can get a visa on arrival) and it will then have to be changed over to family visa when he's RP comes through.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 April 2011 - 19:00
All sounds pretty dodgy - to start off with exit visas aren't stamped into passports. Sounds to me like he just didn't have an exit visa.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 April 2011 - 13:20
Don't worry Baffled - it will always be Decoration Roundabout. Parachute Roundabout is still Parachute Roundabout and its not even a roundabout any more!!! (And before anyone asks - its the intersection at the end of E-ring where it hits airport road...few years back it was a roundabout). Just so I'm not completely off the subject - I had a fantastic lunch at Liza at the Pearl...very eclectic lebanese food. Bentley's at the Ramada is also very very good. I had one of the worst (both in terms of food and service - if you could call waiting 2 hours for meals service) meals ever in Doha at Carrluccio's the other weekend. Very disappointing since I'd heard so many good stories about it...oddly enough I've heard some bad ones too now since my visit.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 April 2011 - 07:22
Go to a gardening centre and ask them about the tomatoes - the gardener planted ours (about a zillion plants in a 5 x 2 foot area! :) ) so I know you can get the seeds here (in fact I think I've seen them at carrefour) but I've also got seeds I brought over from oz. I bring all my herb seeds from oz as you can get flower seeds here but not herb ones (well not often that I've seen). Its the end of the season now for tomatoes though - going to get too hot. I think probably planting around October is the best time.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 20:28
The feta in the glass (plastic) jars in oil...often with peppercorns or herbs...is really nice. You can get it at both Carrefour and Family Food.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 20:20
I seem to be making homemade pasta sauce and freezing it every other night at the moment I've got so many tomatoes and so much basil coming out of my garden at the moment. The mint is going wild too. But by mid summer its too hot for most of those...sometimes the basil survives! Apparently lemon grass goes really well here too.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 08:09
Hi Picklz....my husband went to St Christophers....many many years ago!! :) Unfortunately without a british passport the chances of getting a child into reception at DESS are pretty well non existent. If you got the one into 2nd Grade then you would have a better chance but even then its pretty slim.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 17:53
Have heard there is going to be a shop on the pearl selling it, (p%rk not hashish that is ;)) but perhaps another myth. If I had a dollar for everytime I heard about the different places p*rk was going to be sold in Qatar I'd have the mortgage paid off by now and be on a plane home for a bacon and egg breakfast! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 06:50
18 months (well that's the Australian system) and I took my son to Doha Clinic - they were good.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 April 2011 - 21:14
No, pork is banned in Qatar except on the US air base where they get a quota each month.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 April 2011 - 15:04
I can't see how you would need another exit permit as you won't actually go through immigration so won't technically be back in Doha.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 April 2011 - 16:22
I would guess that you would still need a sponsor or a company to support you - you don't actually just register yourself as a working woman you actually register for working for a specific company (I'm pretty sure). You could have someone sponsor you and then just give them a small cut of what you earn but then you have all the problems of being under an external sponsor rather than your spouse. Why don't you check with some of the companies that you want to work with how they would do it? I know people who have done it in the past but not the 'registered way' so to speak.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 April 2011 - 10:18
Interesting survey from Aus on this http://au.news.yahoo.com/entertainment/a/-/entertainment/9203989/arabic-second-most-common-australian-tongue/ edited by wuffles on 17/04/2011 "The Australian population is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse in the world and this is represented in the children surveyed for the AEDI," the study said. Quoted from wuffles survey....ooohhhhh....that must make us aussies the most educated people in the world! ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 16 April 2011 - 21:46
"Only in America do people call themselves educated yet only speak/understand one language" :) Just saying... Speaking/understanding more than one language doesn't make you educated or vice versa. Just saying.... ;)
 
 
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