IndyGal | ExpatWoman.com
 

IndyGal

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 September 2014 - 09:26
Qatar Maid Service -they have a website White Magic cleaning services - 44680516
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 June 2014 - 09:43
Try asking at Qatar Music Academy...they're based in katara.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 November 2013 - 23:56
Does anyone know if we can get an e-gate card done at the Abu Hamour immigration office. It's a lot less busy there and closer to home!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 November 2013 - 23:47
Have you tried Debenhams or Marks and Spencers?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 February 2013 - 23:45
Mesaimeer HC is where my helper has been going...much easier for her to get to from Al Waab. It would be interesting to find out if they are continuing to register new patients. Do let us know BEDH.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 January 2013 - 16:46
Well its one of the health centres that is accepting expats as opposed to health centres which are for Qataris only. The HC near Doha Zoo is now for Qataris only and all of us, who were registered there, have been told to go to Mesaimeer HC.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 January 2013 - 19:02
Have you ladies tried the health centre in mesaimer? Coming from Ramada, turn left at the 2nd set of lights after the flyover. Then go straight across the roundabout. You are now heading towards QDC. Before the QDC turnoff, there's a health centre on your right. Its brand new, very clean and for expats only.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 January 2013 - 23:16
closest branch of Compass School to SIDRA would be the Gharaffa branch but the other 2 branches are also within 10-15 mins drive from SIDRA depending on traffic of course!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 January 2013 - 23:13
Try Paula from Professional Real Estate...very reliable and upfront lady...33361069
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 January 2013 - 12:17
You could also try the immigration building close to Abu hamour petrol station. This opens at 6.30am (and so does the gharrafa immigration) till 1pm. It does open again in the afternoon but may only be for corporate immigration issues. Neither open on Friday or saturday. If you get to Gharrafa immigration at 6.30am, there are no queues!! Abu Hamour - best to get there at 11.30am...no queues or also at 6.30am. As a female, you do get priority at this one!! For Abu Hamour one, directions are as follows:- Coming from Jarir bookshop, turn left at the 1st set of traffic lights (used to be known as Qatar decoration lights), next roundabout...go straight across. You will pass Carrefour in a new shopping mall on your right. Go through 2 sets of traffic lights. After 2nd set, you will pass abu hamour petrol station on your left. Next roundabout, turn left. Keep going straight until you get to a set of lights...do a U-turn here. Immigration building is on your right just before the roundabout so take the last service road. It is slightly set back so you can easily miss it!! Another way is to use the Doha expressway (D-Ring). From landmark, head towards the airport. At one point after salwa road exit, the road forks into two. Take the left fork signposted Wakra. keep going...and at 1st set of lights turn right. Immigration building is on your right just before the next roundabout so take the last service road. It is slightly set back so you can easily miss it!! Hope it helps.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 December 2012 - 09:46
If you have a UK passport, you can get a tourist visa on arrival by paying Qr100 per person at the passport desk itself (payment only accepted by credit card). This will be valid for 30 days. Before this expires, your husband can renew it for another 30 days. After that you have to leave the country. However, you can return straightaway and repeat the process. We call it the visa run over here!! Generally people fly out to Dubai or Bahrain for the day or a weekend and come in on a new visa. Once your husband goes for his medical, finger printing will be done 3-5 days later. After that he can get his RP within a few days. But your RP may take longer. I know I have repeated some of the info given by other ladies! :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 December 2012 - 09:34
There is another immigration building near abu hamour petrol station. I find it less crowded and easier to get things done. There is staff at reception who do manage to give the right forms and send you to the right counter!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 December 2012 - 09:30
Timings are between 4pm -8pm....tree lights will be switched on around 6pm.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 December 2012 - 17:11
Hi, can you call me on 55568972. Thanks.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 November 2012 - 08:01
Whatsapp works with any smartphone, and especially useful in creating groups and messaging the whole group together. When people in the group reply, it goes to everyone in the group. Great if you're organising an event!!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 November 2012 - 07:58
Actually you can renew easily at any of the traffic departments...not just at Madinat Khalifa. There's one by the wholesale market just before the abbatoir. I was in and out with my new driving license in 5 mins...parking is better too at this traffic dept. As GinaM said, it's one of the easiest things to do in Doha!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 September 2012 - 14:25
You can get the vaccinations done at the government vaccination centre which has now moved to the Messaimer Health Centre complex. The number 44064222 does get answered but it takes you to the health centre bit of the complex. I was there earlier today around 10.30...it was not busy. Its clean and spacious and has good reception staff. Plenty of parking outside. Directions - coming from Salwa Road, head towards Al Jazeera school. You will pass the wholesale markets on your left. The Health centre is on your right just before you get to the next set of traffic lights. You can spot it from the green lollipops on very long poles!! Hope that helps! :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 07:26
Thank you ladies...will try these numbers. After reading some of the posts, it seems like housing issues in Doha are just as complicated and desperate as the school places!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 June 2012 - 13:01
My 17 year old travelled out of Doha in February and did not require one. However, I would be interested in finding out the correct rules if anyone knows. Thanks!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 June 2012 - 12:57
I have won a laptop at Giant Stores and at the same time and the same promotion, my neighbour also won a laptop...how quirky is that? Years ago, I think at least 9 years back, some SA friends of ours did win a BMW X5. So I guess, there's some hope of winning out there for us!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 March 2012 - 09:51
There are QTel shops in both Villagio and Landmark, actually probably in all the malls. You can go there to buy a sim card. Local call costs are more on hala card as compared to their shahry contracts. However, I did find out recently that overseas calls are cheaper on a hala card than on a post paid shahry contract. it's only 0.66 riyal per minute to call abroad on a hala card. On Shahry, it is qr1.50 per minute for 1st 5 mins and then you get the next 5 mins free. Strange tariffs!!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 March 2012 - 19:53
Again, Marks and Spencer also keep some nice squash bottles. Tray the Villagio store, and no, I do not work for M&S!!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 March 2012 - 19:51
I have picked up Lapsang Souchong tea bags from Marks & Spencer, so you could try there!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 22:27
No its just a haberdasher store which sells almost anything you might need!! Even stocks a whole selection of fabrics.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 March 2012 - 22:16
come along Salwa road and go past Megamart, straight at the next roundabout and head for the roundabout under Jaidah flyover. At this roundabout, turn right. Go along this road until you pass a restaurant called Aaryas on your right side. Infact, you need to turn right at the 1st set of traffic lights that you come to. Just before the next mini roundabout, the Taliban store is on your right hand side. Hope this is clear enough!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 January 2012 - 20:06
ccdoha, actually if you came here in Sept2010 and leave in April 2012, you have actually stayed away for a full tax year 6.4.11 to 5.4.2012. This should then give you a Non resident and not ordinarily resident status with HMRC.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2012 - 08:43
Yes, Century tailors is definitely next to Bombay Silk near Jaidah Flyover. Coming from Ramada, go to the roundabout under the flyover and turn left (3rd exit). Carry on to next roundabout - don't go through the underpass. Just before the roundabout, they are on your right. Parking in side streets.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 December 2011 - 09:54
Recently I had to get a document attested by FCO in UK (cost around gbp36 + courier costs), then attested by British Embassy here to say that UK FCO stamp is genuine! (cost QR186), followed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs to say that British consul's signature was genuine! (cost Qr20)!!!! Process I followed....get onto FCO UK website, pay for your document to be attested online. I then couriered the document to my family in UK who posted it to them regular post. It wasn't clear from their instructions if they would accept courier deliveries or registered post, so we didn't take a chance. UK FCO returned the documents by registered post (you have to pay extra for this) to my family within 2 days. The document returned to qatar with someone who was coming over in the next few days. Then I visited the UK embassy here in Doha, got the stamp very quickly and same at the Ministry - there's a ladies section with no queues!! The MOFA is on the C-Ring on the RHS of the road if you're coming from Ramada after the Holiday Villa lights. Hope this helps!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 December 2011 - 13:27
According to this website, all the events are happening all day!! Musical fireworks is also listed as happening all day on the corniche...I don't think so!!! Why can they not give us specific times so we can plan ahead?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 December 2011 - 08:29
Sorry but Al Kanz is definitely not the only option to get Saudi Visas. They are located in a convenient location :). We used a company located on the first floor of Souq Asiery (the fabric souq), and they were very prompt in getting our visas. There are, infact, lots of agents on that floor! Ismail - 55513959 I have forgotten the name of the company. Have to agree with Amy....the whole trip was very easy and we bought our salik at a petrol station just as we left Abu Dhabi for Dubai. The roads are now fabulous in Dubai and well sign posted compared to 2004 when we left Dubai to come to Doha!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 December 2011 - 08:15
Family Food centre - any branch will have it. And Lulu will also definitely stock it.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 December 2011 - 10:00
Indian origin but a brit for a number of years now!! How about you?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 December 2011 - 09:57
Yes it is very easy to renew online on hukoomi...see post from fhasnat. You will not be sent a new card...its automatically updated in their system. I keep a note of the expiry date as it is difficult to check expiry dates online except at the portal where you renew!! Alternatively you can check expiry dates at one of your local clinics.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 December 2011 - 08:18
think they are moving to the area close to the airport branch of FFC but have not reopened yet.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 November 2011 - 07:18
RP can definitely be renewed 3 months in advance of the expiry date. It is best to renew it before travelling to other gulf countries.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 November 2011 - 13:37
Picklz, the maid doesnot need to fly out but you do have to get approval and then a maid visa to transfer her to your sponsorship. Try this link which seems to have quite up to date info on "How to do certain things in Doha". http://www.qatarqlick.com/how-to/134-general/1933-how-to-get-a-house-maid-visadomestic-helperbaby-sitter.html You will need a NOL from your husband's company, passport and rp copies of [u'>all[/u'> the members of your family, ID card copy(both sides) of your husband who will presumably be the sponsor. He will also need to get a salary letter from the company, and copies of 3 months attested bank statements, in addition to maid's passport copy. It is relatively simple to do the paperwork yourself to sponsor a maid...a couple of friends have recently completed the process. Fees for getting a maid visa is QR1800, and I think also a fee for getting the approval of around qr300. Once maid is here, RP costs qr500 annually, qr 50 for a healthcard which will allow them to use Hamad services. Hope this helps!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 November 2011 - 19:25
Hi Ladies, does anyone know if Enjo cleaning products are available in Doha now? Any info on it would be good. Thanks.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 November 2011 - 19:19
Hello Essex Girl...just wondered where in Essex are you from?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 October 2011 - 19:58
A friend of mine just queued up hoping to get tickets at the door....and she did...she is sitting right at the front and apparently it is quite empty!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 October 2011 - 19:56
Thank you ladies for all your help. Miraculously, before I had even had a chance to download any anti spam softwares, the emails started working again after a day or two. Now, since Q-tel had been quite insistent that they cannot reinstate my account until I ran an anti spam software, I am not quite sure what happened to change their mind!!! One guy who I had spoken to at Q-Tel even told me to take my PC to a PC repair shop to get rid of the virus that I, undoubtedly, had on my PC!!!!! Thank you ExpatMum...I'll definitely keep Intego in mind if this happens again.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 October 2011 - 19:16
Thank you ladies...I will potter on down to woqod to find out...Qr375 seems a bit steep for the gas cylinder...wonder if this is a deposit which you can get back when you return the cylinder for good?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 22:58
Any signs of Wagamamas or Marina Interiors at the mall - both were supposed to have opened there!! <em>edited by IndyGal on 09/10/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 08:01
For the beauty vouchers, you pay the full amount on your first visit, then they attach the voucher to your receipt. Your second visit is then entirely free. I have used these several times for manicures etc.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 07:57
take a copy of your visa that you entered the country with...they used to need it before! Passport. Also I suggest you wear a white t-shirt then you might be able to get away without having to put on their robes. And patience of course!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 08:16
An equivalent to Ravi's would be a pakistani restaurant called Zara's...I'll try and post the number later on. Its kinda behind the Home Centre near the Jaidah flyover. Nothing really compares to Ravis though!!!! And unfortunately there is no equivalent to Luckys and Pinkys either...much to my dismay when I first moved to Doha from Dubai! There used to be a lovely little shop in Wakrah but that closed down couple of years ago. Other Indian furniture shops have very limited items and are downright expensive compared to Luckys. <em>edited by IndyGal on 21/06/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 June 2011 - 21:20
I did get a glass top for my coffee table from a shop on Mirgab street just across the road from Family Food centre - Modern Mirrors. They were closed for a while and am unsure if they have reopened.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 June 2011 - 16:46
I went last week so this number definitely works - 44238888. This is for their D-Ring branch.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 June 2011 - 16:45
you will definitely need an exit permit for your maid if your husband is not travelling with you...its qr10...in any case better to be safe than sorry!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 June 2011 - 10:18
Gharaffa immigration can be a nightmare for parking. There's another immigration place in Abu Hamour which is a lot more civilised!! (IMHO). From Aramex roundabout, go straight past Abu hamour petrol station. At the roundabout take 3rd left. The immigration building is the second one along on your left side...lots of cars are parked outside the gates.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 June 2011 - 21:55
Businesses can register with MOI to do these things online. I was under the impression that individuals too could register for this service but haven't been able to get more info on this. Will keep looking !!!!