Scaralex | ExpatWoman.com
 

Scaralex

Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 September 2013 - 13:44
We are in the situation where we just want our villa back and the laws are all stacked against landlords. Quite frankly it is no ones business why we want the villa back - we have slogged here in Dubai for a long time to pay for the villa and would like the free option to sell it / do it up / live in it. We had 3 months notice period in our contract but the tenant last year quoted the rent committee and wanted 12 months notice. We have given him that so he has had effectively 15 months notice while we are making a massive monthly loss. So come on people - think of the landlords too. Not all of us own twenty villas and are out to make a killing.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 September 2013 - 15:20
I eat vegetarian food only in India. Take some hand sanitiser with you everywhere. No salads, ice or milk/yogurt. I only eat fruit you can peel like bananas. You will enjoy eating the yummy hot breads they serve everywhere. Not the healthiest diet but you wont get sick. I take dried fruit from here. You can buy biscuits and noodles just about everywhere if you want to make something in your room - but use bottles water!!
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 September 2013 - 09:43
My friend in renewing her visa so no, not for a new one.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 September 2013 - 11:47
Thank you!
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 September 2013 - 11:40
Tchibo in Oasis Centre did not have liederhosen. Phone Satwa and Ibn Battuta and they didnt either. Anyone seen them?
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 September 2013 - 15:26
The update from phone calls today is that the information from a year ago is almost the same. You do need a Police Good Conduct certificate as well when applying to the Lands Department and it still takes a month to get their clearnance to apply for an Investors visa. The cost of a 2 year visa for the 1st two years is now 18K but only 1300Dhs per person after that. It was unclear if the 18k was for the whole family or just one or two visas. Owner + spouse + children and housemaid can all be included. Gave up on questions after achieving that much information!
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 September 2013 - 10:41
I have been told that your get 6 months through the DNR but 2 years through the Lands Department. Not sure how that works but am investigating. If anyone else knows more, please let me know to save me the time and effort (and ground down teeth!)
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 September 2013 - 16:41
We always take the kids to the counter next to e-gate except when the queue there is longer that other queues (like on Fri night / Sat am last week when every line was backed up for miles) Does anyone know what the electronic counters to the right of the passport controls are? They are marked for residents and visa holders. There are about 20 of them and they have pictures which would indicate you can swipe your own passport, insert your own ID card or swipe your E-gate card to get through. We saw one couple use them but there kids had to take their passports for manual processing. We asked several of the "How can I Help you" staff as well as the counter man what they were and how we could use them but no one could give us a clear answer. We were told no kids by one lady and kids OK by another. If and when these do work, it will change passport control forever for the better.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 June 2013 - 08:49
Mohandissa - Is that for government workers only or all visas? My DH visa is in Ajman and mine is in AD - how would we live together if this rule is implemented?
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 February 2013 - 08:29
Sorry still fascinated by this shower after toilet nonsense. Your friends children strip off in school to go to the toilet? Or have they also been brought up being tied to the home toilet. You still haven't answered the questions about what you do on long business trips, flights, etc etc. Have you ever been on holiday to the UK because you may well find yourself staying somewhere with no water hose and no shower!!! What would you do then - not go for a week?
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 February 2013 - 15:53
I hope she is. But I am not sure the other poster who makes her children bath morning and night is!
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 February 2013 - 15:22
Oh my word - your poor children. You have obviously taught them it is unacceptable to do a No 2 unless there is a shower. What happens if they have an upset stomach? They will never be able to travel except to places where they are able to shower when they want to go so that cuts out long flights, back packing, camping and lots of others. I dread to think how you forced your will on your children to only go at home as I cannot think how much pain and discomfort it would have caused my children to train them so severely.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 February 2013 - 08:37
I have been here for a while and have come to the conclusion that some adults here consider two showers or more a day are sufficient to make them odourless during the hot summer months. Well it doesn't work!! One shower a day is more than adequate with the use of deoderant, and wearing cotton rather than nylon clothing! I suspect the same thought process follows for kids being showered or bathes twice a day. Huge waste of water in my opinion. Especially in the months when they have swimming 3 times a week at school so have showered then as well. Bordering in OCD in my opinion. And for the lady who made the toilet comment - do you shower every time you go to the toilet? What happens if your kids need to go at school? Or going at work?
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 February 2013 - 18:29
I met a woman the other day who has taken her children through the e-gates ever since they started and had no idea she was doing something wrong. When I say though the e-gate I mean she shuffled her child in in front of her and then out the other side. Her husband did the same to the other child. No one has ever stopped them, and they have done it quite a few times! Scary really.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 October 2012 - 18:44
I loved the lady who told me she sewed a tennis ball into the back of her husband's pyjamas. He stopped sleeping on his back and the snoring stopped!
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 October 2012 - 18:44
I loved the lady who told me she sewed a tennis ball into the back of her husband's pyjamas. He stopped sleeping on his back and the snoring stopped!
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 September 2012 - 17:02
Lets hope that the new school has a better parking system and the parents learn to park!
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 June 2012 - 19:01
Thanks, is that from the Metro station side near Ibn Battuta?
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 June 2012 - 10:53
http://www.wwideres.co.uk/ When I arrived here 15 years ago I was given them as a recommendation and I still have not found anyone cheaper for the UK. They make bookings for the main companies (Alamo, Eurocar) at discounted rates. You pay nothing up front, all insurance is included in the quote (except optional excess of course) and the second driver is usually free.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 June 2012 - 08:13
does anyone know if this will be shown on OSN? or at any venue? I think it starts from about 4.30 pm our time on Sunday
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 May 2012 - 09:22
Thanks for the useful comments everyone - except the one comparing the cost to a friday brunch, Not everyone believes in blowing their hard earned money on brunches and the like. Some people on this board have to watch every dirham to get by. Some, like me, just try to save a little here and there for a rainy day. And any extra I save will go to my maid and not towards brunch! <em>edited by Scaralex on 15/05/2012</em>
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 May 2012 - 08:49
I am currently paying 58dhs a month for e-vision basic but there are no fillipino channels. I could upgrade to 99dhs / month to include the GMA channels that my lovely maid would like to watch but it seems a lot of money! Are there cheaper ways of getting her TV? I have called OSN and they start at 117dhs/month. It seems like they are taking advantage of the number of Filipinos here who want to watch TV in their own language!!
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 May 2012 - 17:46
That was just an example of one centre, there are two more inside the Mazaya Centre also. Check on the website for a full list of typing centres. There are loads.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 May 2012 - 16:22
Why is everyone queueing? Just go to one of the many registered typing centres (for example behind Mazaya Centre), not the ID centres. They will do everything online, the same as at the ID Centres. You pay the same fees and an extra 30dhs for the typing centre. You will get a receipt which means you can't get fined as you application is in process. After a couple of weeks you will get a text asking you to come for finger printing. That took 5 minutes at Al Barsha. Another 3 weeks and another SMS - your card will be ready for collection.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 March 2012 - 16:29
E is the very narrow one.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 March 2012 - 16:03
Magrudys are now stopping Start Rite so as far as I know there are no more stockists in Dubai! The last few pairs are on sale for 99dhs at the moment. Clarks have stopped producing the narrowest E fittings that my children need so basically I now have no choice and have to buy shoes in the UK!!
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 March 2012 - 16:03
Magrudys are now stopping Start Rite so as far as I know there are no more stockists in Dubai! The last few pairs are on sale for 99dhs at the moment. Clarks have stopped producing the narrowest E fittings that my children need so basically I now have no choice and have to buy shoes in the UK!!
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 March 2012 - 19:12
Bump - someone must know!!!
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 March 2012 - 20:53
Thank you. I can stop pulling the house to pieces now!
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 March 2012 - 21:51
Anyone?
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 March 2012 - 15:22
Bump
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 March 2012 - 12:48
Anyone done this recently? The office there says 2days if you pay urgent fees. My company's PRO say 15-20days!!! I had the medical yesterday. Thanks.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 March 2012 - 09:20
A jewellery box - I just bought one for my DD's 8th birthday and she loved it. I got a proper wooden one with little drawers so she can keep things apart from jewellery in it. I also go t her her first proper watch. Timex has great ones with the hand in different colours and the hours and minutes on the face so she can tell the time. The second hand has a little flower on it.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2012 - 09:16
Diverse is also great. My DD has been with them for 2 years and loves every minute of it. They have musical theatre classes as well as dance (but not ballet) Their annual show is excellent and very very professional. They are newer than Sharmila I think so maybe less well known. Run by a young and very talented couple of dancers.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 March 2012 - 08:35
This is a real incident and the mom has followed up with some details: XXXX was just a few metres in front of me outside a busy bustling supermarket and I can only assume it was an opportunistic attempt, that thank God, was unsuccessful. The most surprising thing to me was it was swift, slick and without communication. Two men flanked her and (forcefully & purposefully) swept her towards the exit. It was in a split second and only by the Grace of God, did I see and scream.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 March 2012 - 08:32
Just give up and go to a typing centre. They are only allowed to charge 30Dhs and will do it all. I did leave my passport (so fed up by then I just gave in!) and they did all the forms online for me. I received a text 3 weeks later to say my card was ready for collection. And that was it. Quite easy actually. I used the typing centre at the little old parade of shops behind Mazaya Centre. Fast Business or something like that.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 March 2012 - 08:32
Just give up and go to a typing centre. They are only allowed to charge 30Dhs and will do it all. I did leave my passport (so fed up by then I just gave in!) and they did all the forms online for me. I received a text 3 weeks later to say my card was ready for collection. And that was it. Quite easy actually. I used the typing centre at the little old parade of shops behind Mazaya Centre. Fast Business or something like that.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 February 2012 - 10:25
Will it whip?
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 20:19
Move it if you can - they are terrible. Watch out for the 4% they will try to charge you for early redemption, Have also heard of someone who was back charged life insurance for 5 years.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 20:16
Yes - my daughter has it now. About 20-30 spots only with a temperature on the first day. I asked a nurse about the vaccine as I had never heard about the booster jab. Apparently it was only introduced 2-3 years ago when it was realised that a single dose did not provide effective protection for ever.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 January 2012 - 21:43
Have a look on the IR website and it will clarify your situation. If you have any earnings in the UK in the last year you may have to declare. However after that, you only need to file a return in the UK if either they ask you to, or if you are liable for tax based on your UK earnings.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 January 2012 - 21:43
Have a look on the IR website and it will clarify your situation. If you have any earnings in the UK in the last year you may have to declare. However after that, you only need to file a return in the UK if either they ask you to, or if you are liable for tax based on your UK earnings.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 January 2012 - 08:47
I am just renewing in Abu Dhabi now and they asked for the Emirates ID card.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 January 2012 - 08:46
It will be busy over the easter weekend, particularly the castle. If you can, plan ahead and book the castle online so you don't have to queue to get in. Aim for first thing in the morning before the main stream of tourists arrive.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 January 2012 - 08:32
Has anyone seen these for sale anywhere recently? Picnico doesn't have them at the moment as I need them for kids birthday party.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 December 2011 - 14:56
Just tried that and no luck either. I have googled and nothing comes up about a new clinic.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 December 2011 - 12:42
They won't tell me! I suppose I could leave a message for him. Do you know where it is?
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 December 2011 - 19:32
Do you mind me asking how much it cost to shop and ship. The estimate I got was 652 Dirhams as it weights 10.5kg!! That's more than the price of the game.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 December 2011 - 15:20
I have managed to get hold of the distributor here and it seems that they no longer make the intruments that go with these games. If anyone has a second hand game for X Box in good condition that they want to sell on second hand, please let me know.
Scaralex
225
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 December 2011 - 09:28
Don't put it in the title then those who have not seen it yet have the option not to read that thread. So the title could have been X factor US results for example then I would not have read it. Obvious really!!!!
 
 
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