shamat | ExpatWoman.com
 

shamat

shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 August 2011 - 21:13
I know this is a bit of a late reply, but if you want to make healthy chips at home (and I'm talking about the thick oven style chips, rather than fries), just cut potatoes into chip shaped pieces and cook them for no more than a couple of minutes in boiling water and a veggie stock cube. Then spread them out on a baking tray, add some salt (I use a schwartz seasoning salt, but normal sea salt would do) and bake them for 20 mins on your hottest oven setting. Zero fat and they taste really good!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 August 2011 - 21:03
Yes m'aam, I put the cable for the maid but you did not tell me you wanted me to connect it!!!! Love it! Silly you Suzy for missing that vital piece of information!!! It was obvious you were just getting him to put the cable in for the fun of it! LOL! :)
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 August 2011 - 14:35
Thanks KKS. I just looked it up on Amazon and it looks like its just what I want!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 August 2011 - 14:31
Thanks very much Majoe! ETA: I've just looked it up on Amazon and this looks perfect! <em>edited by shamat on 08/08/2011</em>
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 August 2011 - 13:32
I'm fairly sure you won't get advantage points at the airport as technically once you are airside you have left the county. I would definitely buy before I got to duty free - that way you can pack your purchases in your suitcase and not have to lug them with you onto the flight.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 August 2011 - 12:17
Landline rings (very unusual in our house!) Shamat: hello Unidentified voice (UV): good afternoon ma'am shamat: (questioningly): hello???? UV: good afternoon ma'am SILENCE shamat: (irritated) who am I talking to? UV: I'm calling from Etisalat ma'am. shamat: yes? UV: ma'am, how much you pay for your internet from us? shamat: Err, if you are calling from Etisalat, how come you don't know????? UV: I just want to know if you are paying 149 or 159 for your service shamat: (Eyeroll) Anyway, to cut the explanation of a long, tedious phone call short, they were trying to upgrade us to a different package. Once again, I think they may have chosen the wrong person to do their telephoning for them! I did fear that if I hadn't broken the silence, I may still have been on the phone now, listening to a silent caller!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 August 2011 - 12:10
Thanks for the suggestions! Zog might work, but he's a bit orange! Although that's a useful fallback, and it sounds like a great book anyway! Any other suggestions?
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 August 2011 - 11:09
If you were standing facing Fida, walk to your left down Al Satwa Rd, towards towards the petrol station and the bus station. Thanks for the recommendation of the bead shop in the Hana Centre. I've not explored there at all so I now have a new place to try out!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 August 2011 - 11:05
Thanks bubble trouble. Evening use is a good idea, or holidays in the UK!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 August 2011 - 08:37
Hi LM, definitely check before coming that your contraceptive pill is stocked here - that's not a name I recognise. I couldn't get mine out here when I arrived either and there was no equivalent available either. A call to a pharmacy would be able to telll you if what you need is available anywhere in Dubai - the pharmacists here are really nice and usually speak good English. Try the Arabella Pharmacy, which is based at the Spinneys on Al Wasl Road, and ask to speak to the pharmacist. I've found them very helpful in the past. Tel: 00971 4 3941519.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 16:49
What a remarkable story. Thank you so much for posting it.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 16:36
Yes - the others are a lot smaller than Fida but I find them a lot more amenable and they will properly bargain with you (I've never managed to get Fida to drop their prices at all). My personal favourite habadasher is a small Indian shop that I don't know the name of but is easy to spot, as he's the only one along there that sells sewing machines - they are all in his window. If you were standing outside Fida facing the road, walk right along Al Satwa Road and you will find it. If you get as far as classic city, you've gone too far! This shop is stuffed - literally floor to ceiling - with stuff, so if you can't immediately see what you want, do ask (and then feel really stupid when he shows you its exactly where you've just been looking!). Incidentally, he also sells sewing machine bobbins at 1 - 2AED a piece! There are also some other habadashers if you turn left out of Fida.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 16:28
I beg to differ! I've only just started listening to them (been listening about 3 months now) and I'm glad I made the switch. Mind you, perhaps that's a reflection on just how bad the previous station that I was listening to was!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 15:18
You are asking someone who is directionally challenged, but I'll have a go! The main street in Satwa (Al Satwa Road) is a bit odd because its split in two - in the middle of the road its big enough for a petrol station, mosques and a bus station, so you have to make sure you are on the correct side to be able to find your way. I'll direct you from Al Wasl Road as this is the route I nomally come and it will bring you out on the correct side for Fida and all the other habadashers. From Al Wasl, turn down past the Iranian hospital on a road called Al Hudaiba St. Follow that road to the end which is Al Satwa Road which is one way - there's a parking lot next to the bus station. If you park in that car park, cross the road and walk away from the bus station, keeping the petrol station on your right hand side. All the habadashers are along this stretch of road. You'll pass a shop called Classic City on the corner if you are going in the right direction. I don't know what its like this year, but in previous years the shops in Satwa were only open up until 12 noon, then open again after sunset. Hope this makes sense!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 14:15
What does the product actually do? Any idea what the science is behind it? And does it contain a sunscreen as well, or is it something you apply after you've been out in the sun?
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 14:14
Dragonmart is supposed to be very good for beads, but I've never been there. I get my supplies from the habadashery shops in Satwa. Fida has an excellent range, but a lot of the smaller shops have lovely things too and at a more competitive price.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 14:12
Aryanwynn, you have to take this further - to the RTA, to the police, to the complaints line, Gulf News - whoever you can find who will listen. The company have failed to deliver you a service. Full stop. Why would anyone pay 4000AED to not have a service?! You don't owe them anything because they haven't given you anything! This is disgusting behaviour and it needs to be brought to the attention of someone who will make this company sit up and take note that they cannot behave that way and get away with it. I think from now on you are best not dealing with this first company at all, and putting your energies towards your son being re-issued with a learner licence so he can learn with the second driving school, and that's why I think your most likely bet is the RTA as they issue the licences. I certainly wouldn't waste any more time visiting their head office, as it sounds like you'll get nowhere with them. Good luck, what a very frustrating experience for you.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 12:55
Yes, Banyan Tree Al Wadi is amazing and like Al Maha - we went there for our wedding anniversary last year. The Gonabit offer looked very good and I was very tempted!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 12:48
We stayed in a garden view room too. If you have the same as us, your room will be in one of the free standing blocks that are scattered all over the grounds. From our previous visits all of the blocks are lovely, so I'm sure you'll have a great time.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 10:25
We also used some of the restaurants in the Golf Club too, so take those Entertainer vouchers too in case you fancy a change of scene. The golf club is a 5 minute stroll away from the main entrance. We've been to Hamra Fort 3 times now and we love it! Just one other top tip. If you like to start your day with a cup of tea or coffee, there aren't tea and coffee making facilities in the room, so we take a travel kettle and milk (can you tell we're English?!)
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 10:18
We went there this weekend! Everything seems to be open as usual, including serving barley beverages during the day! Whenever we go, we always take snacks of our own rather than pay hotel prices, but if you don't want to do that, you will have plenty of other choices. The mini bars are stocked with snacks and drinks as normal. Also the hotel wasn't particularly quiet, in fact it was just right - there were enough people around to give it an atmosphere, but not so many that you were fighting over sun loungers etc. We had a really nice time, I hope you do too!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 August 2011 - 23:00
Oh thank heavens! I thought I was the only one who hated the RAK Hilton Resort and Spa! We had a dreadful weekend there a year ago and on Trip Advisor it feels like mine is the sole review critisising the place! It gets brilliant feedback on EW and I can't understand why! Sorry you had a shocking time BellaUK, obviously. Its not really good enough for an international chain, and I'm dismayed to hear they are taking over Al Hamra Fort Hotel too. Another one bites the dust . . .
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 August 2011 - 20:15
Hi guiness, sorry you are feeling frustrated. I had given up on exercise classes over the summer until I went back to In Shape Gym. http://www.inshapeme.com/ Not only are they running an exercise programme, but some of their classes are late at night, which I assume has been done to fit in with Ramadan. Whilst you may not feel like it after running around after little ones all day, maybe it would give you some much needed me time if your DH is home to babysit?
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 August 2011 - 16:42
It seems to me that the hotel iftar buffets are all really expensive this year - far more expensive than in previous years. IMHO they have gone up to an amount that I'm no longer prepared to pay, even though the quality is good. On the Entertainer website there are some 2 for the price of 1 offers for Iftar, but I haven't tried any out yet.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 August 2011 - 16:23
Thats brilliant, thank you both very much. Its told me exactly what I need to know.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 August 2011 - 14:09
Thanks everythingnice. I understand the collection point is in the main galleria area, quite near to Debenhams (at least, that's where they were last year!)
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 August 2011 - 14:07
Try Rent a Crib - they do adult wheelchairs. They will deliver directly to your home. I've used them before and they are great.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 05 August 2011 - 21:57
Not sure if this is a bit advanced for nursery school, but one which I have done with 9 year olds that goes quite well is saying something nice about the person sitting beside you eg. "I like X because she's always happy" Another one which I've done with nursery school is "The wish". A glove puppet hands round a magic wand (a sparkly pipe cleaner!) and the children have to make a wish for something they want to happen either in school/in their family/in their life. Or all 3, depending on what you want to get out of the exercise.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 05 August 2011 - 21:52
It depends what his learning style is really. Is he a visual learner (ie. he sees concepts in picture or diagram form) or is he an auditory learner (ie. he learns things by hearing them?) or is he a kinasthetic learner (he learns by doing stuff). It also depends on what he's trying to learn. Good luck to him!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 13:32
Another idea: my friend has told me about the "top secret hotels" deal on lastminute.com. Basically you pick the destination you want to go to in Dubai, and they choose the hotel for you, and you won't be told until your departure. Because we all know about the hotels, sometimes its quite easy to identify them, and the prices are extremely good. Might be worth you checking it out.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 13:15
I think the summer deals this year have been really poor - I'm looking to book for adults as well. The best I can come up with is Hamra Fort Hotel in RAK, prices starting at 700AED per room B & B and Jebel Ali Hotel at about the same price, but neither of these could be described as that cheap. I also noticed that the Meydan are doing a buy one get one free offer on the Entertainer Special offers this month. My vote goes to Hamra Fort despite it not being a bargain, as I know from my previous stays there that the rooms are lovely, some watersports (eg. windsurfing) are free there, the food is good, and there are Entertainer vouchers in the family Entertainer book for many of their restaurants, including their international buffet. Good luck with your search.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 10:02
There was a post last year that referred to the "other" haunted house in Jumeira. Its quite a long thread, but if you go straight to page two, you will find the reference for the Jumeira house there. http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=99408&Page=1
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 09:51
I thought it was quite a brave article, considering that they are clearly living in a villa with a multiple occupancy arrangement which is illegal here! I would think that ghosts will now be the least of their problems having published their story!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 09:43
I have a feeling that the "original" haunted house was in Jumeira 2, somewhere near to Choitrams. It seems there are a few haunted houses in Jumeira!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 03 August 2011 - 12:01
Please don't be put off the Bateaux Dubai, it really does fit the bill perfectly for what you are looking for. I've been on it 4 times now and I've never been disappointed. There's live music, usually a pianist or jazz, and the ever changing scenery of the creek is lovely. The service is good and although the menu is set, there's 4 or 5 choices for every course. I was so surprised when I read all the negative reviews of it on here, because I really don't have a bad word to say about them! And believe me, that's unusual for me!!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 03 August 2011 - 09:05
One of my "boys" had this done a couple of weeks ago and I felt the same! But all was well and he was home by 4pm, a bit sulky, but otherwise fine! He was a little quiet for 24 hours but it was worth it. His teeth look amazing now and he's a bit more enthusiastic about his food - and washing himself - which is a bonus!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 03 August 2011 - 09:03
Is Shakespeare's at Souq Bahar open this year? I would love to know, thank you!! Shakespeare's is open in Souk Al Bahar and the one by park and shop. I am not sure about the other branches. Looks like it CP!!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 17:18
Have you ever done the Dubai Fountains with them? My parents loved them. You could eat at the Mango Tree and watch the fountains at the same time, although I guess the balcony might be too hot now. you could always eat inside then go outside to watch the fountains, but that is less atmospheric. Or what about at Bateaux Dubai Cruise? Their summer offer is 333AED per person all inclusive with a 4 course meal (silver service) - check whether that is still on. My parents loved that too!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 08:58
I think you'd have to use an agency, but I guess that would work out expensive. You wouldn't necessarily have to have someone every day though. However, if you can afford it, I would have thought that was better than leaving someone in your home that you no longer trust.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 08:55
I've only ever used a mobile hairdresser once and I wasn't impressed by the whole experience. As other posters have said, the contorting over the sink, the sweeping up of the hair and the washing of the towels didn't really do it for me! The recommendation came from a friend who had been using her for a while, but even she stopped in the end as she felt the hairdresser had lost touch a bit and wasn't keeping up with her previous standards. (I suspect if you work on your own, it is difficult to ensure quality as you don't have anyone to measure yourself against, or learn new ideas from). However I can see that the service would be invaluable for people who can't go out (if you have an illness that makes mobility difficult) or if you are pregnant or have young children and you have no alternative childcare to enable you to go to a salon, so perhaps it comes down to the way the service is marketed and who the target audience are.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 20:32
It seems that the Dubai alcohol shops are open during Ramadan, and working normal hours if what I noticed today is correct. However I don't know anything about Abu Dhabi.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 18:22
I have bought a few of these deals but it seems the deals are getting worse and worse although I would have thought they would get better over the summer. I totally agree with you. So many of them seem to major on some kind of beauty treatment at the moment. I'm not a great user of beauty salons/treatments anyway but I wouldn't even contemplate doing treatments that were at a place unfamiliar to me. I suspect that before long these sites will start disappearing. I had no idea until this thread was started that there are so many of them!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 17:11
I'd highly recommend Beirut - we went there a couple of Ramadan's ago and its business as usual. We based ourselves in Beirut then did day trips out to the vineyards, Byblos and Baalbeck. Lebanon is not a cheap option - accomodation is very expensive, but its a really interesting destination.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 16:45
Hang on, I think there's a need for a bit more caution on this. The children aren't hers, they are his. I'm not sure what will be required in terms of proof that the birth mother is aware that the children are with their father, particularly if all the passports have different surnames. I think this needs a bit more investigation.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 12:34
I pick up my teaching clothes at Promod (in MOE and Mercato) and Camineau (Festival City and MOE) as they look nice but they are well priced. Both of these places have very good sales, although these may have finished at the end of DSS. The other place that is worth a look is Splash (in MOE and Oasis Centre) although you have to be a bit careful with their sizes as I never seem to fit into my regular size there, and every garment seems to be different. I've also picked up the odd item in Carrefour, but you have to be a bit choosy and check the workmanship.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 11:49
I think I've also seen gold and silver flip flops in Carrefour before now, although I don't know whether they have any at the moment as I haven't looked recently.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 July 2011 - 14:29
I can answer the question about teachers as this doesn't vary very much, but it depends on what qualifications you are offering and whether you have applied for a job in a school or a nursery as (I believe) the salary structure is quite different. Your salary will also depend on whether or not you are being employed locally (as a trailing spouse, with no perks from the organisation except your salary) or whether you are being employed on an international contract with health insurance, flights home etc.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 18:22
Here is a copy of the UAE labour law. HOWEVER, this was produced in 2007 and some amendment was made in January this year with regards to leaving employment, so just treat this version as guidance only http://www.gulftalent.com/repository/ext/UAE_Labour_Law.pdf ETA: I didn't see Princess' post before I posted this. Hers is more likely to be up to date. <em>edited by shamat on 27/07/2011</em>
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 18:08
Hi dubaidella, I don't know if this is legal or not, but I have certainly seen this happen to some of my colleagues. With my employer, as people got wise to the fact that this was what the employer was doing, they left the company immediately, without notice, as soon as their pay went in. However this was all locally employed staff, not ones who were relying on visas from the company, so clearly this course of action isn't open to you. I think you need to go back to the Ministry of Labour and check this out, as I thought there was something in the Labour law which says that the employer can't leave you without income, which is exactly what your employer will be doing.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 12:27
Hi BMAP, I think some of the comments on here so far have been a bit on the harsh side, although there is obviously some truth in some of what you've been told (although the attacks on your decision making skills have absolutely no relevance whatsoever!) IMHO, I would be wary about signing a contract that pretty much gives them a license to withdraw everything and leave you and your family high and dry in Dubai. Unfortunately such things can and do happen. However it may not happen of course! Neither me or my husband had clauses like that in our contract. Unfortunately no contracts out here seem to carry any weight, although if you are working for an international company I think you stand a better chance of getting a robust contract. Ultimately you just have to go with your gut feeling about how far you would trust this company. I'd also add that any ex pat, regardless of who employs them, should always have some sort of personal contingency in their own home country, such as a house, or a bank account, so that if the worst happens, you can get yourselves out easily and have access to funds without having to look to your employer for help. Ultimately, you have to take on responsibility for yourselves when you become an ex pat.
 
 
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