RachelA | ExpatWoman.com
 

RachelA

RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 August 2013 - 22:28
The Hilton has a lovely pool area and beach. Excellent pool-side service as well. One of the other hotels (I think the Intercontinental) used to do a ladies day on Wed with reduced rates -- hopefully someone will be able to verify if they still do!
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 August 2013 - 20:16
Over the years we've lived in 3 different compounds and all of them were fine with pets (we have a dog). When we made the move to apartment living it was quite a different story -- had a hard time finding a tower that was okay with pets.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 July 2013 - 05:18
I had to email them about a ring I bought -- used this address (which they gave me when I was there) and did get a reply so it's one that they do check: [email protected]
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 July 2013 - 05:10
One of the reason that the fees are lower is that the school is one of (if not THE) oldest international school in Doha. They opened years ago and hence had low fees --and the way the fee structure works (as regulated by the SEC) is that a school is only allowed to increase by a certain percentage of the current fees. I know this has been an issue for the school management who have been wanting to bring the fees a bit more in-line with the market, but have been constrained by their historical fee structure. Not sure how long you've been there cassandra238 -- so please correct me if I'm wrong. The school had quite a good reputation (with a bit more balance between native English speaking students and second-language English students) but a few years ago (I think about 4) there was a fall-out between the Qatari owners and the British management, resulting in a change of management. Since then there seems to have been a shift -- at least in public perception by English speaking expats.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 July 2013 - 05:04
I had one at Al Ahli about a year ago -- as part of their "Well Woman" package. Can't say it was fun -- but it was a fine experience overall.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 23 July 2013 - 02:52
ASD also offers the IB Diploma. Year 12 UK is equivalent to Grade 11 at ASD.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 17 July 2013 - 16:57
Do any of you have RPs currently under processing? If so, keep in mind that if you leave you will need to start again from square one when you return. Worth looking into this...
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 17 July 2013 - 16:55
Here is a link to the schools in Qatar which offer the IB Diploma. http://www.ibo.org/school/search/index.cfm?country=QA Of these, the three which in my opinion are worth considering are: American School of Doha International School of London Qatar Academy School spaces in Qatar are notoriously hard to come by -- but somewhat less so for secondary. If you are talking about possibly enrolling her for this September your first course of action should be to contact these schools to see if there is even a possibility for admissions. As the mother of a 16 year old, I would say that for teens in Qatar it's a mixed bag. Mine has an active social life but if given the chance would move to the US in a heartbeat.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 July 2013 - 08:03
Thanks so much for the replies. We ended up at the W -- it was absolutely amazing, both food and atmosphere. Highly recommend!
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 12 July 2013 - 12:03
Awwww, and here I thought you were going to post the perfect suggestion!! ;) I honestly can't remember the last time I went to an iftar outside -- it's been years!
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 June 2013 - 21:54
Without a doubt the hardest part about expat life. Sorry for your loss...
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 June 2013 - 21:52
My husband and I have different last names, and have been asked to show our marriage certificate in a few different countries. Even though we both have US passports, I think it might have to do with the fact that he has an Arab/Muslim name. After 20+ years I actually carry a copy of our marriage certificate whenever we are traveling in the region! We stayed in hotels in Doha a few times, and I honestly can't remember if we've been asked for it here or not.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 June 2013 - 21:48
[email protected]
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 23 June 2013 - 21:40
I don't think many of the towers in the West Bay have 1 bedroom apartments -- mostly 2 and 3 bedrooms.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 23 June 2013 - 21:38
Of course if the car is registered in UAE you have to have insurance issued from the UAE.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 23 June 2013 - 21:37
You can do it at the airport immigration office. It's at the old airport (now the departures airport) by the long-term parking. You can go there and request an extension for an additional 30 days. Can't remember the cost - QR 100 sounds about right. I think you can also do it at the regular immigration building in Gharaffa, but the airport branch is much easier to deal with!
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2013 - 06:08
TeePee I have a friend who is a GP who recently left Qatar. I'll send her the question and see what I can find out!
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 01 June 2013 - 09:48
I've brought Bateel dates back as gifts -- through JFK -- quite a few times. They are boxed and wrapped, and packed in my main luggage (not hand luggage). I've never declared them (it actually never crossed my mind) and have never had a problem. They make a fabulous gift!
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 31 May 2013 - 17:50
Marykar you've been quite fortunate. There are a lot of schools that will not let children enroll until they have their RP, as per the government policy. It's causing a lot of stress for a lot of families. RobeyC you might want to contact the schools you are applying to and ask them directly, as how strictly they enforce the rule seems to vary quite a bit.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 31 May 2013 - 11:06
http://www.biotherm.com/catalog/product.aspx?prdcode=033053&catcode=F2_WOMEN_BODY_CARE_HYDRATION_NORMALE&topcode=Category_Women_Body_Care_Body_Moisturizers&catpath=AXIS_WOMEN_BODY_CARE&parentcatcode=&menu=soins Definitely available from Duty Free. A friend gave it to me as a gift recently and it is my all time favorite!
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 31 May 2013 - 09:39
i am going to do a bit of probing on where an individual is from, where they work, etc... Seriously? You are planning to exclude interested people because of where they are from? Or where they work? Very troubling indeed...
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 23:48
I ended up using a travel agent to make sure that the connections worked.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 22:57
I love it when Jonners answers my questions -- always great info! ;) Thanks love!
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 May 2013 - 22:56
I don't have any info on aircon other than to say I would go for the strongest and sturdiest option! We've lived in a villa with a separate outside maid's room which had a window AC -- and it needed it! On another point, there's no such thing as a maid on her own sponsorship. She is either sponsored by an agency, by you, or by someone else (in which case it's illegal for her to be working for you). It's done -- but it's illegal and the penalties are stiff!
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 May 2013 - 21:07
There are plenty of families who are based in Dubai and DH working elsewhere in the GCC -- but as far as I know these were families that were already settled in Dubai when DH's work shifted somewhere else. I have a few colleague in Doha who are in this situation -- shifted here from work in Dubai, and the family remains based in Dubai. But given that you are not already settled in Dubai, why would you not just move to Kuwait as a family? There is a vibrant expat community there. It might not have the scale of activities the Dubai has, but for young kids it's should have more than enough. It just seems to me that adding a 3rd country into the mix means added complications.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 May 2013 - 22:38
Korean Garden at Ramada Signal is Japanese and Korean food, and they definitely serve teppenyaki.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 May 2013 - 09:46
Is the Karama station close to where the shops are? Handbags etc?
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 May 2013 - 15:09
PLEASE be careful about posting emails and phone numbers! While the women might be totally professional, it's totally illegal to provide this service unless through a registered salon. Illegally providing beauty-related services is cause for deportation -- and yes, it's happened before. Really important to be discrete about this!
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 May 2013 - 22:10
GinaM I tried going for that a while back when flying to the US with Emirates. They only provide a hotel is the 12+ hour layover is the soonest possible connection. It needs a bit of careful planning...
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 01 May 2013 - 19:28
Nice! What kind of facilities are there? Anyone notice if there's a basketball court? We live in one of the nearby towers, and a basketball net is what my son misses most from our previous villa.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 28 April 2013 - 00:00
There was a thread about tailors a few weeks ago and BEDH gave info for a tailor who comes to you -- I'm loving the idea. I'm going to call him probably this week as I have a few things that need hemming and a dress that needs to be repaired. I'll let you know how it goes! http://www.expatwoman.com/qatar/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=202315
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 25 April 2013 - 23:04
If you do decide to go, no way is 1 night in Cairo and 1 in Sharm enough.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 25 April 2013 - 22:21
I'm thinking it's probably best not to post her details here -- so feel free to email me saraomar and I'll pass the details on to you. rachelawad at gmail dot com
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 24 April 2013 - 20:27
I find it a bit ironic that the SEC has organized a school fair for this purpose, while I've recently heard (from the Chairman of a well known and reputable school) that at least certain international schools have been instructed by the SEC that they are not allowed to admit new students for next year -- for an indefinite period and no reason was disclosed. So at least some of the schools which have waiting lists actually have spaces available but as they cannot admit, have to put all applicants on the wait list for the time being.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 24 April 2013 - 01:21
There is a woman running yoga sessions at my work in the evenings and I know she also does 1 on 1 training. I'll get her details tomorrow and pass them on..
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 22 April 2013 - 21:28
Best physio in town is probably at Aspetar -- but not easy to get in. The damage has to somehow be sports related -- and the phsyio has to be recommended by one of their orthopedists. Getting an appointment isn't easy. I actually had the best luck when I went in person and headed straight to the appointment desk. There was a long waiting period but in the end it was absolutely worth the wait.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 22 April 2013 - 21:26
Thanks Gina! I actually have been stopped at "checkpoints" twice in the 8 years I've been here -- where they were checking driver's licenses and car registrations for all cars. No idea why -- and the last one was probably 5+ year ago. A license is also quite handy when you need to turn in ID and don't want to leave your Qatari ID. As it turns out, I found mine -- in exactly the spot in my wallet where I'd looked at least 10 times. Go figure! :\:
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 April 2013 - 12:56
zappos.com carries loads of shoes in US 11 which is pretty much a EU 42. And they have a 1 year return policy. If I buy and have to return, I wait until I'm traveling back to the US and use their return label.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 April 2013 - 11:34
It might be worth clarifying that Doha College goes by Year Groups rather than Grades, so there is no Grade 1 at DC. Year 2 would be equivalent to the US Grade 1, and Year 1 at Doha College would be closer to US KG2.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 April 2013 - 12:54
Son just got a nike fuelband and loves it. A few of the guys at work have them too. I had to order online as they aren't available in Qatar -- but I heard they could be found in Dubai. No idea where though.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 April 2013 - 12:43
Can you give us a clue as to who will be using it? I'm assuming it's for a gift...
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 18 April 2013 - 23:06
marycatherine is correct about your Qatar residency. If you leave while it's in process, you will have to start over when you get back to Qatar. About the Saudi visa, I just got one, and here's what I learned. At first I had an invitation from the company I was to meet with there. Was then told (by the Saudi embassy here) that it's no longer enough -- the invitation also needs approval from the Saudi Ministry of Interior -- which the same company that issued the invitation needs to obtain. Once they sent that it took about 3 days to get the Saudi visa -- and by that time I had missed the conference and planned meetings. The visa is good for a month so I'm not rescheduling meetings and plan to travel end of April/early May. Another colleague who was to travel with me did not get the required approval from the Saudi MOI -- she's 23 and apparently they consider that too young for her to travel unaccompanied. I definitely didn't have THAT problem! <em>edited by RachelA on 18/04/2013</em>
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 17 April 2013 - 22:02
I also wear custom orthotics due to fallen arches and over-pronation. I actually had my podiatrist make me a 2nd set that was slightly narrower to wear in dressier shoes. It impacted their support ever so slightly but gave me a much wider set of options for shoes.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 April 2013 - 07:45
These are, in most people's opinion, the top 2 schools in Qatar. Does your company have direct agreements with either of the schools, or is it just that they are covering the tuition? If it's the former, you stand a decent chance of getting in. If it's the latter, you probably want to broader your search as the wait-lists are long everywhere and especially at ASD and DC.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 April 2013 - 09:57
Ravi the travelling tailor is great for alterations and copies especially for women as he is fine with measuring you. He charges 30QR per hour .I had him alter some curtains , take in and hem dresses , shorten my husbands suit trousers and make cushion covers. His no is 66170430 . He brings everything with him . BEDH so for hemming, he does it on the spot? Thanks.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 April 2013 - 09:49
When mine was little someone gave me this one as a gift because we travelled a lot -- and from that day it was the ONLY one we used, at home or on the road: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4282469 Easy to use, to clean, to move. And turns into a great booster once they outgrow the need for a try. Can also be used on the floor. Not a traditional high chair but does the job and then some!
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 April 2013 - 08:40
RachelA were you in SF when the 89 quake hit? I was but I wasn't. I had gone down to Santa Barbara, and was actually driving back up to the Bay Area when it hit. The damage we saw when we got back was unbelievable. On another occassion my husband and I were sitting in our living room on the ground floor when we felt a rumbling. At the time we thought it was heavy trucks driving by -- which seemed really odd since we lived on a quiet side street and this was late at night. The next morning we learned it had been a small quake.
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 April 2013 - 18:06
I work on the 14th floor in The Gate and managed not to feel a thing. Most of my colleagues did -- and just their reaction was scary enough! The building was evacuated, and when I made my way home to Al Areen Tower that had been evacuated too. I used to live in San Francisco -- so I know how scary this can be!
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 April 2013 - 09:43
Hi Maple, I don't work directly in HR, but work closely with HR and in particular a program of psychometrics for HR/Recruitment. Could you send me your CV? rachelawad at gmail dot com Thanks!
RachelA
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 April 2013 - 21:32
It shouldn't. Generally you can only have 1 residence within the GCC, but this shouldn't matter for Egypt. And even if your husband were to cancel your visa, if he doesn't have your passport then the cancellation stamp won't appear there, and the Egyptian immigration authorities still wouldn't know it had been cancelled.
 
 
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