Hairy Maclary | ExpatWoman.com
 

Hairy Maclary

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 October 2012 - 09:17
Oooh! Thank you! There is an entertainer voucher? Even better! Might give them a call as it sounds amazing and the photo's I have seen look very inviting!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 October 2012 - 09:15
I looked into this when we first arrived a year ago. Alas...there used to be some in Media City, but the information I found advised that they'd been closed. A couple of villas around our area have the new Emirates Post Mailboxes on their front fence. I don't know how reliable this is, and it is relatively expensive, but you could check it out: http://www.dubai.ae/en/Lists/HowToGuide/DispForm.aspx?ID=16 Failing that, maybe pop into the little Post Office in Knowledge Village and ask their advice perhaps?
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Latest post on 14 October 2012 - 08:34
Verdeque: Sorry to digress, but can I ask you about the Bedouin Oasis experience? I've been looking at their website recently as we have guests coming and was thinking of camping overnight there. How much did it cost? What were the activities they allude to? What were the toilet facilities like? Would it be suitable for children? Was the food good?
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Latest post on 11 October 2012 - 20:15
Thanks Mrs Whippy, that's very helpful. Al Hamriya Centre could be the go. We could do that first then walk through Bastakiya then the Pashmina MArket and take an abra across the creek to the gold souk.
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Latest post on 11 October 2012 - 19:18
Does anyone know if there are any rules for releasing these in Dubai? Could you release them from any of the beaches in Jumeirah for example? Presume within a certain distance of the airport would be a no, no...
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 October 2012 - 18:55
Bump???
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Latest post on 09 October 2012 - 18:00
No worries, LOL. Hmm, good question. I think Fragomen did it all in Sydney, with the exception of the UAE Embassy, but it would probably be worthwhile for someone to ring and double check before wasting time going in there just in case.
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Latest post on 09 October 2012 - 17:36
Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but my recollection is that first you need to get the documents certified by a Notary Public. A JP is not good enough. Then the originals are sent for authentication to the Australian Ministry for Foreign Affairs & Trade. Finally they need to be sent to the UAE embassy in Canberra for attestation following which they are returned to you. It can take some time. Possibly 2 - 4 weeks? We had our attestation process managed by a firm called Fragomen. Not sure if they exist in Melbourne, but you could certainly have your documents couriered to them in Sydney and it would take the pressure off your folks.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 October 2012 - 13:40
Law Number 26, Article 17 should fit the argument about cessation of waste management I would think, if you want to take your LL to the Rent Committee: http://thedubailaw.com/uaelaws/2010/12/dubai-law-no-26-of-2007-regulating-relationship-between-landlords-and-tenants-in-the-emirate-of-dubai/ My case is, unfortunately, more complex, but this might help some of you out there... <em>edited by Hairy Maclary on 09/10/2012</em>
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Latest post on 09 October 2012 - 13:30
You can get really cheap ones in the toy stores in Dragon Mart. They are different colours but they are printed with an "I love you" message with 2 little cupids. So a bit poxy.
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Latest post on 08 October 2012 - 17:04
You don't say what grade you're looking at. I have kids there in primary/elementary and think the school is fabulous but I can't comment on secondary! Sure, you might find one or 2 teachers you are not happy with, but that can happen anywhere. On the whole, the teachers are enthusiastic and focused. Field trips are relevant and there are plenty of them so the experiential learning is very high. The admin really listen and take parent feedback seriously from my experience - the management team (Principal, Deputy and Dean of Studies) seem to work well together and are very hands on. Their IB Coordinator is very impressive and goes the extra mile in everything she does. There is a huge diversity in cultures - something like 76 different countries and that really leads to some rich experiences. My children are having a better schooling experience there than they were in their private school back in Australia.
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Latest post on 07 October 2012 - 21:34
I think that is a more simple solution than doing argie bargie over the DEWA bill, frankly. I guess there's the logistical problem if the Community Fee year is not aligned with the rental year. But at least there might only be a few months' gap before the lease renewal and so long as the due diligence is done properly the tenant is in the loop. They should make it mandatory to demonstrate there are no debts on the property as part of the rental and renewal process. And Emaar should be able to hike up an interest rate on residuals owed since it's their income lost on the Net Present Value of the Fee...it would otherwise be in the bank or invested and earning interest. When not paid, the Owner gets the benefit of that.
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Latest post on 07 October 2012 - 20:48
Every day I see people driving unsafely, kids without seatbelts, people being rude to those who have less power than them, people being impatient and queue jumping, people pushing and shoving to get somewhere first whether it's out of the school carpark, in a shop or theme park. At the moment, the owner of my villa has got away with over a min 100,000 AED in unpaid community fees and I am picking up the pieces. I cannot get Emaar's rubbish people to collect my rubbish, even if I pay privately. And other private contractors are charged 1,000 AED by Emaar every 6 months to come to my community on a regular basis. My Landlord has absconded with my rent cheque due to be cashed in next year and RERA's thinking appears to be the first cheque has not made it to the owner either. I've tried to register my lease today (I had paid the LL to do it but they didn't instead they pocketed the money) and I can't register it because there is an inconsistency in the numbering between the lease and title deed. Apparently, only the LL can sort this out. But he's sunning himself in Pakistan isn't he, so that's not possible. None of this would happen in my home country, so right now, in Dubai, no, I don't believe in Karma because all the bad people seem to be getting away with it and the good guys are suffering. <em>edited by Hairy Maclary on 07/10/2012</em>
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Latest post on 07 October 2012 - 19:10
I would like to, but particularly since moving here, no I don't.
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Latest post on 07 October 2012 - 19:07
Ah, I see, my apologies. And yes, as far as I can see, that is the only way tenants can ensure the community fees are paid - do it themselves. But the Rent Committee process is not a picnic in the park, having lived through it for 6 months last year.
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Latest post on 07 October 2012 - 18:37
[i'>[b'>"But if they had not done this you wouldn't have bothered to pay the service fees..... so desperate times; desperate measures." [/b'>[/i'> Sorry but I don't know where you're getting that information from. As someone who is "living the dream" in an Emaar community, stopping the rubbish so far has not achieved the goal of anyone paying the service fees. NO names have disappeared off the Board of Shame. I have done a drive around and my conclusion is the villas with the rubbish outside are tenanted, the LL's don't give a rat's ar$e (pardon the pun). They don't live here. They don't feel the pain. They don't get inconvenienced. I suspect for the most part, they have cashed their rent cheques for the year and they're happy spending it on whatever! It's another example that Dubai needs to move to a monthly rent process. Direct Debit, whatever, so that LL's fulfill their responsibilities under the terms of the contract. The process of going to the rent committee is onerous. Everything is in Arabic, needs to be copied in quadruplicate, needs to go to a typing centre. All hearings are after 6 or 7pm so if you have small children, the impact is huge. It is by no means tenant-friendly. And why should a tenant be forced to move because of unscrupulous landlords? We looked around for another villa before this happened and calculated that by the time we'd paid new commission, lost our security deposit (as we knew the LL would not give it back), paid for removals costs, took art and curtains down, had curtains adjusted and rehung, paid the moving costs and additional rent we would have to fork out for an equivalent home, not to mention the inconvenience of having to change all the addresses on licences etc it was going to cost us over 70,000 AED. All because some stinking, greedy landlord decided not to fulfill his community and contracted responsibilities! As for me, I am recycling as much as I can and putting only food in the bins of VACANT villas or taking to a friend's in another community who has kindly offered her bin. But as I do my own little "rat run" dressed in black through the community at night, I have noticed people have started to dump their black garbage bags along dark bike paths etc. Yes, they may not be seen doing it, but the rubbish guys won't see it either so it will sit there and fester until the rats that I've already spotted running along my back fence multiply, eat through the plastic, leaving decaying food scraps all over the public walkways. This is not an effective strategy. It punishes the wrong the people. They need to re-think.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 October 2012 - 17:54
Oh cool! Might keep that in mind for future. Thanks
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Latest post on 03 October 2012 - 17:50
I think you will find some majlis cushions for a good price in Satwa as well. IS that what you're looking for? Just the cushions to set up on the ground and against your back? TO be honest, I've not seen them in Dragon Mart.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 October 2012 - 17:45
Yes, I agree with Karabalta. Under the circumstances, it would be a nice thing to let them know that MF have flown the coop as they may be renting from them as well.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 October 2012 - 17:43
I also live in Meadows near the Mosque (derien, perhaps we are neighbours!). He has a beautiful lyrical voice and I would give anything to stay here (The Muezzin down at Town Centre on the other hand, shouts!). Sometimes in the evenings I stop cooking dinner just to wander outside to listen to him. But that is not answering your question. I can't speak for Springs villas, but in ours, with the windows closed and the air con on I cannot hear it. The only time I've ever been woken by him is in Winter when I have slept with windows open. But it is truly a wonderful way to start the day.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 October 2012 - 13:49
I can confirm without a doubt that Marks Falcon are closed for business. I went down to Sama Tower to check for myself. Their offices are literally rubble, no staff there, being gutted as I type. The Security Guard in reception told me they'd left and no one knew where. The guy in their offices told me they were no longer doing business and he had no contact numbers or forwarding address either. Their business sign had been pulled off the wall and was lying in a heap of rubble on the right hand side of the entry. So...where to now????
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 21:08
The tenant has no power in this when the cheques have been written. I hear what you're saying Karabalta and in principle agree. I'm not actually angry at Emaar, they are as much a victim of these greedy landlords as I am, but I am shocked that they are prepared (and allowed) to sacrifice public health and safety when it will probably not change anything. They need someone who has the power to step in and find a way to actually punish the criminal owners who, to date, are getting away with it. If the owners are overseas or jail is not a possibility, the only way I can think of is to bring down their credit rating so they cannot get loans etc for further investments. <em>edited by Hairy Maclary on 02/10/2012</em>
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Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 20:57
I agree Di. I just can't believe they are prepared to let this happen when it's 41 degrees still outside. Actually, I can't believe they're prepared to let this happen, full stop. I don't understand why Emaar can't take legal action for unpaid debts and have people's or corporates' international credit rating impacted if the debt remains unpaid, or put whomever is accountable for villa in prison. Surely something like that would get things moving. But maybe I'm just naive and that is not possible in this part of the world.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 20:49
I already called Dulsco who told me they were banned by Emaar from taking out private contracts. I was insistent and they actually rang Emaar themselves to "double check". Called me back and said "No, we are not allowed to do private contracts, the community fee has to be paid, no private contracts!" I rang Emaar again (had called them in July about same thing) just to check whether their standpoint had changed and whether I, as a tenant could pay something towards the collection of rubbish without having to pay the total amount the owner owes. They wouldn't accept a brass razoo. No compromise, no negotiation. I guess they want to bring it to crisis point... Will try calling the Municipality though I think in these "private" gated communities, it is Emaar's jurisdiction and not considered public therefore no municipality involvement.
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Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 19:57
Bumping up for the evening crowd. Can anyone recommend any waste removal contractors?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 11:02
Was the 1 Oct the date for all the villas? are we going to start seeing rubbish piling up now in the various springs and meadows? I have just got back from driving around my specific community and checking all the villas on the Board of Shame. Yes, none of them have had their rubbish collected, so I would say it is everyone. And presumably it is all communities in this area, so here we are launching ourselves into a genuine public health crisis. And yes, I would be mad if I was a neighbour too. I'm mad as a tenant! I have paid top quartile rent to live in this community with certain amenities and now I am been punished for the owner's greed. It beggars belief really. I am very upset for my neighbours who have done the right thing and do not deserve to be treated like this either. Most of these houses are rentals, so they are punishing the wrong people. What impetus is there on the owner to pay when they are not actually living in that villa or even in the country? They should be slashing their credit rating or something so that they cannot do business any more until the money is paid off.
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Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 09:39
Not sure UD. Quite possibly. I know my neighbour's wasn't collected either but we both have the same owner, so between the 2 buildings you'd be talking of a debt of over AED100,000. Maybe they've done a blanket ban on everyone or maybe they are cherry-picking the ones who owe more than a certain amount. Not sure... I haven't had time to do a walk or drive around and see if everyone on the board of shame has been affected.
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Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 09:30
Good idea Amy, but I spoke to Emaar when I first got the letter and they want their whole 50,000+. I think they're over playing Mr Nice Guy with these greedy, irresponsible owners. Don't really feel comfortable putting it in someone else's bin. I would not like that being done to me. Will keep my eyes open around the community for gardeners / contractors with trucks - perhaps might find someone that way, as you say... the only thing is I need to resolve it quickly as it will fast become a public health issue and I don't want problems with my neighbours who have not signed up to live in landfill.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 09:15
Meadows.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 12:12
Stirfries - beef with broccoli, carrot , mushrooms and oyster sauce Chicken salad with a yoghurt, mustard, chive and basil dressing Chicken Kabsa Lamb hot pot - slow cooked with veggies etc Taco's Spaghetti Bol Roast Chook Kofta with tabouli, hommus and arabic bread
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 11:28
Very good point Derien. Just read yesterday's Gulf News article linked below...."Dubai Police said those affected by the Dh80 million con would have to wait for their postdated cheques to bounce before filing a criminal case." This is not good. Am I correct when saying the only way to cancel a cheque in Dubai is file a criminal case about it? If so, this becomes a no-win situation for tenants who are trying to avert a crisis - they cannot cancel their post dated rent cheques without launching a criminal case but cannot launch a criminal case until MFRE have absconded with their rent cheque money?
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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 10:03
Strangely ours is still being collected despite many years of non-payment. I am just keeping my head down and not rocking the boat! Thinking I might give the garbage guys a "care package" to say thank you for all their hard work too. Meant to do it at Eid but we were away from Dubai. ETA: Agree with Simples - title deed might also come in handy if your LL won't register the lease with EJARI. <em>edited by Hairy Maclary on 25/09/2012</em>
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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 09:58
We are sub-leasing from MFRE too. At this stage I think we are ok, except for the fact that promised maintenance hasn't occurred and the lease has not been registered despite paying for that to be done. Oh, and several years of community fees have not been paid - but that is the owner, not MFRE. I guess we will need to determine what our strategy should be when the 2nd rent cheque is due to be cashed (Jan). Perhaps we should get the cheque cancelled and try and go to the owner of the villa direct? In the meantime, presumably any large scale maintenance will not be completed and technically, if their offices are closed as the article linked suggests, we have no landlord??? Has anyone actually been into the MFRE offices recently? Is it true that they are locked and no staff present?
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 21:59
Yes Sals, the animals are a big worry. Personally I am talking about a military aggression scenario where you have to act quickly. I have children. I would have to make them a priority over animals. What to do??? The thought of it makes me cry already. Our dog is very old and deaf. It's not like there would be any friends here you could ask to take the animals? Ugh, I don't want to think about this any more tonight. I just hope sanity prevails and this all remains hypothetical.
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 21:12
After reading some of the information on here tonight, that is looking more and more like a wise idea D-J
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 19:44
Absolutely. I would recommend a stay at the Fairmont Safari Camp which is built on the Mara right above a hippo colony. The Maasi come to the camp some nights - they dance (kids get up and dance with them), and they come and tell their tales, talk about their culture. You can spend a morning in their village - about 20 mins drive max from the camp. I wandered around the market buying handicrafts and talking to the women and men (as best I could) while my children played with the village children who were teaching my kids how to shoot a bow and arrow (much to the delight of the menfolk). They are beautiful folk and will happily show you inside their homes and talk about their life. Fantastic experience. Check out Trip Advisor. You will probably find my review on there amongst many other positive ones. IF you have any other questions, feel free to pop back, but there are tips on where to stay in the camp etc in the Trip Advisor review.
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 19:36
Thanks Cherry Ripe. Might go check them out! Based on your response they might have what I'm looking for.
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 14:27
I probably take some in when I have a shower or clean my teeth, but that's about all. Our underground water tank is clean as we get it serviced regularly however I do notice the water is discoloured when certain taps haven't been used for a while, so perhaps pipes are rusting somewhere along the route. I don't think I'd drink it freely.
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 14:20
If you or DH work for any reputable company you will find that your HR Manager will have a evacuation plan already in place this is standard procedure, trouble or not. I was fairly relaxed about this until you made me think about the prospect of our HR department in control. Now I'm worried!!! I have no faith that my DH's employer has anything planned for employees and families. They could barely get one family over here, let alone several hundred people out!
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 12:43
Oh, I'm not really familiar with that area as far as vets etc go except for the vet on Al Wasl Road which is a fair way away. Are there any little shopping areas the locals go to where you could put up a poster in a shop window? Someone must have seen something?? I hope you find him :-(
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 12:39
Do you think any of these places might have outdoor style furniture kind of like Shakespeare's? ie wooden armchairs or seats you could put cushions in, low wooden coffee tables or coffee tables with marble tops that would withstand the heat? I am looking for something a little vintage and rustic for my backyard, but of course haven't been able to find anything anywhere.
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 12:29
Which area do you live near Redlesley? I would concentrate my search around there. Is it possible he's wandered into a vacant house while painters etc have been coming and going and got shut in? We had a neighbour's cat wander into our house last week. No fear at all, despite the fact we have a dog (who fortunately for him is deaf or she would have gone for him). I physically had to pick him up and carry him out. Such a lovely little fellow though.
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 12:17
Isn't that illegal?
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 12:15
Al Safa: Vet on Al Wasl Road Umm Suqiem: 04 3483 799 Al Barsha Vet Surgery: Al Barsha, behind MoE: 04-3408601 Pet Connection, again near MoE: 04-4475307 Nad al Shiba: 04 323 4412 Noble Vet Clinic - near Green Community: (04) 8854848
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 11:41
I have some from Model Co. Which I bought overseas. Don't know whether it's available in Dubai. It's OK, but not as good as I'd hoped. To be honest, the fibres seem to float away on application or disappear significantly when you cover them with Mascara, so the effect (on me, at least) is certainly not like the advertisement suggests. I'm interested in hearing about this product Latisse - mentioned by some of the women in the reviews of the fibre lash mascara. Seems it keeps your eyelashes in the growth phase so they are naturally longer, thicker. Then you'd just have to dye them wouldn't you?
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 11:35
It sounds like everyone is beginning to scare themselves at bit! I have lived here through two Gulf Wars, even when the British Embassy advice was for wives and children to leave, my mother stayed on (as did we all) as this is our home. Apart from lots of soldiers and sailors in town, nothing really changed though technically the UAE was part of the 'war zone'. Things are looking rather hairy in the ME at the moment, and if the worst comes to the worst, it may be worth remembering that the UAE is the middle east equivalent of Switzerland - no one else really has any beef with it, so just being here should be relatively safe. That is our view anyhow. I think it is probably wise to keep monitoring the situation, but I certainly wouldn't get too worried or start scaring our children about things until it is absolutely necessary. Thanks for sharing Hester. Puts a different perspective on it for those of us who have not lived here then. Will probably repeat this story to my anxious friends.
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 11:16
wonder if they would stop all those leaving who had bank loans, credit cards etc If they don't stop CEOs leaving their ferraris at the airport with millions of pounds of debt behind them, i would like to think that a family with a car loan could exit. Anyway, you are going on holiday to visit your parents remember! LOL Will have to remember that line.
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 11:05
Hmmm, thanks for your thoughts. What about if you have to leave quickly, so no time to look for work elsewhere etc? Do you have a family meet-up point at the airport? What about chaos at the airport? Do you plan to go overland? Have you shared your thoughts with your older children?
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 11:01
"Private school teachers must apply for KHDA accreditation to receive a teaching-specific labour card from the Ministry of Labour. During the accreditation process, the KHDA checks teachers’ qualifications and background to ensure they are fit to be in the classroom." From: http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/education/regulator-defends-us-run-dubai-schools-suspension Sounds like a defensive beat up (where the concerns about Middle East Security are concerned). From the 3 articles, it appears it's more a specific school issue regarding the quality of teaching and care for students than about Gulf security. As an aside: I would be interested in knowing how teachers here get assessed for their accreditation. <em>edited by Hairy Maclary on 23/09/2012</em>
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 10:50
If you follow the Marina Road (sorry not sure of name) round to the left past Spinneys and down towards Marina Mall, you will come to a second entrance marked "Marina Walk". Turn down here and you will be facing a roundabout which fronts a fountain and the water where Captain Jack's cruises leave from. There are 2 car parks under the buildings either side of the roundabout. The one on the right is closest to Spinneys. You get free parking for half an hour and you can get your ticket stamped with purchases in many of the shops and restaurants. Presumably Spinneys is one of them. I don't know what the minimum spend is though, sorry.