mrssak | ExpatWoman.com
 

mrssak

351
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 July 2014 - 15:43
My husband and I are moving to Dubai with our 2 year old. We would very much like to live on The Palm but i am concerned about finding a nursery on The Palm or near enough that will have available spaces for this September. Is it also a toddler friendly place in terms of activities or available groups/classes for mum and tots? There's a beautiful nursery on the palm called Asyas Check out their website and give them a call But they r very expensive Good luck :)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 July 2014 - 20:32
I dnt know the exact budget And the location is around central london, Booking is great but sometimes they have good ratings and turn out to b really bad Thank u for the below reccomendations Ill check em out :)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 July 2014 - 20:28
I think al ahli My husband had this service Ill check with him and confirm
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 July 2014 - 00:28
Definitely Clinique
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 July 2014 - 16:49
Check Claire's too
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 July 2014 - 16:37
Ladies I was hoping someone could help me with this...I am looking for a t shirt or body suit for my baby's first birthday. Something like this: [url=http://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/6028526/il_fullxfull.196037879.jpg?ref=l2'>link[/url'> or [url=http://www.happybirthdayboutique.com/m/item_2302/Girls-1st-2nd-or-3rd-Birthday-Bling-Couture-Hot-Pink-Rhinestone-Tutu-Set.htm'>link[/url'> but I need it by Thursday. TIA U can get it done at hamleys but it will cost u And u might find it at galleries Lafayette petit palais shop Toys r us usually has em And Gymboree had em at 1 to 5 age group but not sure if they r still sold as they wer available during the summer collection And there's a celebration/part shop next to moe Tht has several 1 bday stuff (bought a lot).
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 July 2014 - 16:30
I live in Cluster J and have no problems with traffic. I'd be interested to hear why mrssak says to avoid Goldcrest View 2? I moved frm gold crest 2 last year, only stayed for one year in the apt, it was on the last floor The mgt was different bk then and we had an awful experience There's a major problem ac problem in the tower BUT not in all floors We got several other companies to try to fix the problem but I was fed up So I called the police to get to the bottom of the problem and they finally admitted its a problem in the design of the tower and it can never b fixed and thts why I moved. I loved the apt, it was very nice with a sea view frm the side and the pool was excellent but it was unbearable during the summer. We paid so much more in the following year becos of the rent hikes. The mgt now r much better and they have made great improvements with the entrance but I'd never move bk there again. And we had a water leakage in the master bedroom (frm the ceiling near the balcony) we used to call everyday for someone to fix it but they Wudnt come. They did send some one eventually but fixed it very poorly. I'm still in j too in the the other tower, the only problem is the loud music frm mcteg and def higher rent Hope ur one of the lucky ones with no ac problems :)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 July 2014 - 11:46
I just moved from JLT last week and there were no issues at all with traffic, very quick in and out. I only moved as the rent had sky rocketed. I can advise you the following buildings to avoid.... Lakepoint (I lived there, badly maintained & smelly passages), Dubai Gate 1 (had friends who lived there who said its terrible), Lake City (i've read bad reviews online) and Icon 1 and 11 seem to get mixed reviews, although I did look at an apartment in Icon 1 and it seemed a whole lot better than Lakepoint. If it had been a lower floor i may have considered it. And I've heard also Global Lake View is bad although I've never been & don't know anyone who has lived there. Avoid gold crest 2
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 July 2014 - 01:13
Bumblebee at Dubai mall
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 July 2014 - 16:18
Hi there As mentioned below there's no longer any traffic problems..thank God I love Jlt, it has everything u need and it's not touristic like the marina and jbr There's Carf, spinneys, several salons, stationery stores, restaurants, cafés, small play areas, a newly established park, dry cleaners, hotels and a few nurseries. Everything u need. But it depends on which cluster ur at, on the other hand u can sometimes to walk to close by clusters. The only warning is Tht not all towers are well maintained esp the ac so ask neighbors to make sure. Good luck
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 July 2014 - 16:18
Germany :)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 July 2014 - 23:15
Hi all, I wanted to enrol my son into DESS commencing FS2 in September next year...apparantly it's already full because of their new nursery...they said that there are only 37 places for FS1 and FS2 each year...does anyone know more or know if thats correct as it wasn't the case when I checked last year...if I can't get him into DESS I would be open to recommendations of other British Curriculum Schools in and around the Mirdiff area to secure a place at least for next year...thank you all x I didnt know dess has a new nursery Do u know its name? Are u sure of this? sorry for not being able to help
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 June 2014 - 09:33
thanks! - Why are many of the hotels still quite booked up if low season. Wiggywig -when you ahve been are alots of the trips noton - as mentioned below? We didn't do a lot of the trips but never had a problem with them. We also did the Phi Phi Island trip and have to agree the boat ride was quite bumpy, but my kids thought it was hilarious and just made a more exciting day for them. edited by wiggywig on 30/06/2014 Oh yes it was hilarious! :)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 June 2014 - 09:31
I dnt think ur too late esp Tht there are so many schools opening up next year Just make a list of the Schools ur interested in and email them ASAP Check out the kdha website and Uve got all the Old Schools in Dubai Then choose the curriculum and Tht will narrow ur list Check each school website for location, fees And then check if they have places for fs2 Jess and old kings are def full And then the new schools opening this year: Kings barsha Kings and el Sheba Nord Gems metropole Gems the villa Safa community Good luck
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 June 2014 - 09:25
It rained really heavily last time I was in Phuket in August Even when it wasn't raining the wind was strong so we never swam and when we took the speed boat to phi phi Island it was a crazy ride!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 June 2014 - 09:22
Dear Ladies, My DH and I are expecting our first baby in the next 2 weeks! We have got everything we need for the little one, except a baby bath! My sister in the United States has advised me to ditch the idea of a baby tub and to go in for a baby bath sling. I had no idea these existed! She says they are easy to use in a bathtub, easy to store, and most of all - is very comfortable for the baby. For all of you who are new to this like me, a bath sling is basically a mesh cloth on a non slip rubber stand that goes into your bathtub! They look brilliant and and not very costly. Here are 2 samples: 1. [url=http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12268558&cp'>Toys R Us[/url'> 2. [url=http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Mothers-Deluxe-Bather/dp/B003BTXSCE'>Amazon[/url'> My question here is, have any of you used one? What is your feedback on it? Where can I get one in Dubai! This is my only pending item to close! Thanks ladies... Still have it and loved it Ull find it at Mothercare But bare in mind Ull need a tub later on cos only fits for a few month
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 June 2014 - 11:12
.... But I always forget. If Rmadan starts tomorrow, does that mean that tomorrow night will be dry? U mean tonight right?
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 June 2014 - 20:37
Please please please report him esp so tht he doesn't do this to someone else. I can't imagine this happening, I wud have called the police while I'm in the car. Thank god ur okay but pls dnt ignore it.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 June 2014 - 22:42
I'm sorry u went through such a hard time My experience was great but the recovery was difficult but it had nothing to do with the doctor or the hospital Anyway my doc was dr. Hossam fouda He's excellent and u can check all info on the internet Hossamfoda.com
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 June 2014 - 19:05
I did a search on here to find out more information about the JLT apartments as we need to move. The threads are quite old and a lot can happen in a few years. I would be grateful if you could share your experiences of which towers are good and which ones are bad. TIA Gold crest2 is terrible..very weak ac and bad mgt. My sister in law recently moved in to Goldcrest Views 2 and couldn't be happier. No a/c problems. It's one of the few buildings in JLT that got an owners committee and in general the building is very well managed. Goldcrest Views 1 she liked as well. I lived in the last floor and the ac did not work in one of the rooms, I spoke with mgt and they informed me tht it's a problem with the design and can't b fixed so we moved out the next year. So the owner did not pay his maintenance fees so we weren't allowed to use the ac or the gym too, once security wouldn't let me in the building cos I had no access card and I almost called the police. I did ask others in the same tower and not all had the same problem but still I'd never go bk. I suffered becos of the heat. I'm still in Jlt and I'm very happy in this tower, thank god :) I dnt recommend it at all. But I know tht not all apts have this problem so she's one of the lucky ones. It sounds more like you had a bad experience with your landlord. I can honestly say that I haven't heard anyone complaining about a/c problems in the building. She's been living there for 6 month now on quite a high floor. There wer problems between the landlord and Asteco and it was becos of the ac. He wouldn't pay the fees becos they couldn't fix the ac. (He had every right but we paid the price) One day in August the ac completely failed in all rooms and they wudnt come and check it out becos it was a Friday, I called the police and they said they can't do anything abt it. I had a baby and she cudnt sleep frm the heat so I checked into bonnigton. It was a terrible experience living there. The following year we moved and we had to pay more becos rents increased but we wer fed up and thank god we moved.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 June 2014 - 18:57
Champions are excellent is dry cleaning but I think they Wudnt b expensive for regular ironing But we had so many damaged items frm several dry cleaners so I only send send to them My experience of Champions at Silicon Oasis has been poor, for dry cleaning - and twice I've been in and the person before me has been complaining So far so good I dnt know why cleaners are not the best here Actually they r terrible! I used evershine and they ruined 4 items So unprofessional
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 June 2014 - 18:52
I've heard Seif r very good
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 June 2014 - 18:51
I did a search on here to find out more information about the JLT apartments as we need to move. The threads are quite old and a lot can happen in a few years. I would be grateful if you could share your experiences of which towers are good and which ones are bad. TIA Gold crest2 is terrible..very weak ac and bad mgt. My sister in law recently moved in to Goldcrest Views 2 and couldn't be happier. No a/c problems. It's one of the few buildings in JLT that got an owners committee and in general the building is very well managed. Goldcrest Views 1 she liked as well. I lived in the last floor and the ac did not work in one of the rooms, I spoke with mgt and they informed me tht it's a problem with the design and can't b fixed so we moved out the next year. So the owner did not pay his maintenance fees so we weren't allowed to use the ac or the gym too, once security wouldn't let me in the building cos I had no access card and I almost called the police. I did ask others in the same tower and not all had the same problem but still I'd never go bk. I suffered becos of the heat. I'm still in Jlt and I'm very happy in this tower, thank god :) I dnt recommend it at all. But I know tht not all apts have this problem so she's one of the lucky ones.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 June 2014 - 17:33
Champions are excellent is dry cleaning but I think they Wudnt b expensive for regular ironing But we had so many damaged items frm several dry cleaners so I only send send to them
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 June 2014 - 17:30
I did a search on here to find out more information about the JLT apartments as we need to move. The threads are quite old and a lot can happen in a few years. I would be grateful if you could share your experiences of which towers are good and which ones are bad. TIA Gold crest2 is terrible..very weak ac and bad mgt.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 June 2014 - 17:03
Thanks, mrssak. In that case, I might check out Children's Oasis too. How do you find the distance from JLT to that area? Is it comfortable? Do you meet any traffic? I'm always wondering about that since all the nurseries seem to be in that area. It's fine No traffic whatsoever and the distance is okay Btw children's oasis has 2 branches Good luck :)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 June 2014 - 16:51
I have had it for so many years and only took some medication Now I'm thinking of taking a shot. Has anyone been to any good doctors here?
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 June 2014 - 15:47
Thanks for that info mrssak. My sister saw one of the little gems nurseries a couple of years ago. She didn't like it very much and subsequently went with Toddler town. I'm not looking particularly for a feeding nursery. Just a good one… safe environment, qualified teachers, etc. Of course, proximity to home is also a factor. I live in JLT and don't think that there are very many good ones in this area. Which one did you go with in the end? I didn't like little gems too, it's very commercial. Children's oasis :) I totally agree there aren't any good ones around Jlt (I live there too).
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 June 2014 - 12:58
Tom & Serg (Blue cups only- the others are too strong for my taste) The coffee shop at Garden Centre ( I think it is called Rose Leaf) Barista Carluccio's (Not sure why, but it tastes great) Coffeol (but only the organic coffee) Illy The coffee shop at the garden centre! Excellent coffee!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 June 2014 - 10:41
Thanks for your detailed reply, Carrera. You are right about the IB. I have heard that more and more schools are offering this system because of easy transition into international curricula. It also makes sense to go for nurseries affiliated with specific schools since entry assessments are becoming increasingly competitive. Nord Anglia international school is another new school that will be offering IB system. I don't know if they have any feeding nurseries or not. My DS will be 17 months in September and I, too will be sending him three times a week initially. I've also booked a tour with Toddler Town British Nursery's new branch near Safa park. My sister's daughter goes to their JBR branch and she's very pleased with it. Btw There's also little gems in safa and little gems in barsha..both are feeding nurseries to any gems schools and give a priority. If ur interested in horizon school or star they both have feeding nurseries. Vhp school has a feeding nursery too.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 June 2014 - 10:15
It's not an advert. I liked it more than the other nurseries I've seen. And I mentioned whatever I liked about them. But that's just my opinion - others may feel differently. That's why we write on this forum so we can have valued feedback from others to help us decide and others might benefit from such information too. mrssak, how was willow nursery? And what was your opinion of Dovecote? I don't know anything about Homegrown. I've just seen their website and it looks good. Have you been there? I liked willow a lot, it felt like home if u know wht I mean and that's wht I was looking for but dovecote didn't feel like Tht all. It felt like being in a small school, very formal and hated the children's and teachers uniform..grey?! Why? But the teachers seem very nice and are very friendly. If ur interested in Repton or foremark then def let ur child join. I haven't been to homegrown but u cud check on expatwoman how popular it is and moms love it When I checked for my dd ther nursery was full and she was number 17 on the waiting list I never visited cos even if u wana take a tour it's quite busy so I just didn't go ..why visit if there's no place for ur child? They called last month to inform me Tht they r opening a new branch in safa2 but I lost interest and I'm happy with my child's current nursery. Btw homegrown doesn't provide any food.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 June 2014 - 09:14
Kids palace has a lovely sleeping room and British orchard too but I didn't like bc nursery on sheikh Sayed road but it did have cots and beds. Bc has several branches in Dubai. And willow too. I've been to dovecote and asked whether there r beds or cots and she said there was but not used becos there wer only 2 kids tht stay until the afternoon. (I didn't see any) Have u checked home grown? It's very popular and they're opening a new branch so u might find a place for ur child. Hope this helps I've been to so many so let me know if u need any more info.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 June 2014 - 13:33
Boots
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 June 2014 - 21:20
Pre or post photo shoot or a limo ride to the airport
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 June 2014 - 17:20
Lebanon is great too I dnt recommend turkey or Thailand although they r very popular Wud love to go to Maldives too
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 June 2014 - 14:49
Hi Sarahlou U seem to know so much abt the job market so I can I pls ask for some help? Im Trying to find a new Job for my husband as his manager is restructuring his dept and he may lose his job and Im not working at the moment so we will have to go bk home He's in oil and gas and we've been searching for 6 months now but nothin! Any tips or advice Much appreciated What does he do in oil and gas? Sales lubricants, demand planning and supply chain I do dabble in the industry but nothing along those lines. Clients don't like to receive unsolicited CVs from candidates anymore. They prefer to receive CVs for current roles that are open Ill keep my ear to the ground but I am quiet on the oil and gas front at present which is normal for this time of year Thank u I really hope he finds something soon :-) Hope so too :)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 June 2014 - 14:47
Hi Sarahlou U seem to know so much abt the job market so I can I pls ask for some help? Im Trying to find a new Job for my husband as his manager is restructuring his dept and he may lose his job and Im not working at the moment so we will have to go bk home He's in oil and gas and we've been searching for 6 months now but nothin! Any tips or advice Much appreciated What does he do in oil and gas? Sales lubricants, demand planning and supply chain I do dabble in the industry but nothing along those lines. Clients don't like to receive unsolicited CVs from candidates anymore. They prefer to receive CVs for current roles that are open Ill keep my ear to the ground but I am quiet on the oil and gas front at present which is normal for this time of year Thank u
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 June 2014 - 14:32
Hi Sarahlou U seem to know so much abt the job market so I can I pls ask for some help? Im Trying to find a new Job for my husband as his manager is restructuring his dept and he may lose his job and Im not working at the moment so we will have to go bk home He's in oil and gas and we've been searching for 6 months now but nothin! Any tips or advice Much appreciated What does he do in oil and gas? Sales lubricants, demand planning and supply chain
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 June 2014 - 14:24
I would like to buy my children's teachers end-of year gifts but I have no idea of what to get them. I don't want to spend a huge amount of money, but something nice that would be appreciated. Any ideas? What are you buying/bought? Oh I wanted to post the same I wasn't sure if it is allowed in Dubai or not I was thinking of getting them a frame frm debenhams Or is it too boring? It sounds cheesy, but it’s the thought that matter. I've worked as a TA in the past and got touched by everything I received. To hear a thank you for the term is a nice gift too :-) How abt souvenirs frm home? Like Silver pharaonic bracelets? Or pharaonic statues?
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 June 2014 - 14:22
Mugg and bean
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 June 2014 - 14:13
Ours companies rather than individual landlords are so so so much better!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 June 2014 - 14:09
My child got all her vaccines at the gov medical health centre in barsha for free but they do need all ur info and tht u r a resident in Dubai I visit a pedo private clinic and they have all vaccines The doctors same is Ahmed Hassan in deira Call and check availability of vaccines 042622220 Good luck
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 June 2014 - 13:55
Fresh at spinneys or waitrose
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 June 2014 - 13:32
I would like to buy my children's teachers end-of year gifts but I have no idea of what to get them. I don't want to spend a huge amount of money, but something nice that would be appreciated. Any ideas? What are you buying/bought? Oh I wanted to post the same I wasn't sure if it is allowed in Dubai or not I was thinking of getting them a frame frm debenhams Or is it too boring?
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 June 2014 - 13:30
Definitely unacceptable, my Child's nursery is great, the manager always greets me whenever she sees me and knows my child's nam. Some parents are not so friendly but I dnt care I only care abt the staff and they been super friendly so far I dnt think this the norm U r def not expecting too much!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 June 2014 - 16:01
Bali, Singapore, Spain, Belgium, France and the US Dying to visit London and Italy <em>edited by mrssak on 02/06/2014</em>
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 June 2014 - 14:59
Inspire
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 June 2014 - 14:24
blossom jebel ali nurseries children's oasis Kangaroo All of the above Accept babies Are they too far?
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 31 May 2014 - 17:53
Is there a free or cheap vaccine service for children? I have been told my son needs Mantoux test. I remember someone mention a health service in Al Barsha, but I don't know where it is. Thanks Right next to barsha mall there's a gov medical health centre
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 10:01
I can recommend novels by Alaa Al Aswany (The Yacoubian Building, Chicago) and Ahdaf Soueif (In the Eye of the Sun, the Map of Love). There are also works by other authors (Hanan Al Shaykh, Leila Ahmed) but some are hard to find in Dubai. My all time favourite is The Cairo Trilogy by Naguib Mahfouz. Ya3coubian is excellent! But must b read In Arabic, it's not the same reading it in English. I dnt think alaa el aswany writes in English, his books r translated. i hate translated books they r simply not the same... U can't go wrong with N Mahfouz! Great taste Rawla :)