simpleasabc | ExpatWoman.com
 

simpleasabc

simpleasabc
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Latest post on 24 June 2011 - 08:36
Has that thread about the EW classified gone?
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 24 June 2011 - 08:36
I've always found the best way is ... in bed. Find someone who speaks what you want to speak and off you go! LMAO :D
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 24 June 2011 - 00:05
Phew! I'm glad you've put it in the right place for you and are concentrating on what's more important to you. Do hope that after a blip, your working relationship with your boss will continue to be a good one. ETA: Ooh, and have a lovely week-end away :) <em>edited by simpleasabc on 24/06/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 24 June 2011 - 00:01
Thank you so much for that lovely description, SunDevil :) Has your two year old got the kisses off his face yet? :) Enjoy, Paris6. I'm so green with envy :)
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 23 June 2011 - 23:59
The easiest way to learn a language is by living in the country, so as you're here, try Arabic! The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding gives lessons : http://www.cultures.ae/spoken_arabic.php I've not been, but it seems like a good place to start.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 23 June 2011 - 15:03
Yeay - I'm so pleased that she is able to come after all. I'm sure her flight will be fine, in my experience with Club with BA they are normally great, esp with passengers that need a little extra help, I hope this will be the case today. Enjoy her visit, I'm sure seeing you is going to cheer her up no end. Oh, no worries on in-flight Club at all, she'll have a whale of a time when she forgets she's in a metal tube at 30,000 feet up in the air for 7 hours.. Her actual visit is a different story, I am going to be going out to the gym an awful lot in the next fortnight to ensure mayhem doesn't ensue..
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 23 June 2011 - 14:08
Just an update - last I heard, Ma has booked her taxi, though not packed her bags yet, and will be getting on the plane tomorrow. Hopefully, she will arrive in one piece. She's doing the wheelchair thing with BA at both ends, so that should be all right. She says she's fine to walk, but even so, I have ordered a wheelchair from the local pharmacy, but will only have it on Saturday, Insha'Allah. Thinking back, I know I booked the ticket very quickly, before my mother could back out of it and may well have ticked the lowest fare box, not realizing it meant it wasn't flexible (just, doh, how simple can you get, ABC? :) ) Spoilt by flexible airmiles, that's me :) I reiterate a warning not to assume, but I'm sure I'm the only idiot stupid enough to have done this and nearly lost so much money..
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 23 June 2011 - 12:33
Thanks, off to N-Dust this afternoon :)
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 23 June 2011 - 09:13
When we were over checking things out this time last year, we were told to wait for Ramadan to buy a car as there were v special deals, so I should imagine it's worth it!
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 19:06
I think it's down to my own stupidity. You live and learn. If there's a next time, will definitely get travel insurance or ensure the ticket is flexible. Meantime, hoping doc gives her the all-clear to fly..
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 18:41
You should be able to claim it back from her travel insurance - if she has a policy. Nah, she doesn't have any, she travels so rarely. She was in the process of trying to get some when she started feeling unwell.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 17:34
I certainly didn't want to anger you further (so hope I haven't), but it isn't that expensive for a business class ticket (not that £1500 isn't a lot of money, because it certainly is) and whilst a lot of us probably travel without insurance it is advisable to have some in place. Anyhow, I hope that your Mum gets the all clear to come today, (fingers crossed) you are clearly very worried about her and I'm sure it will be very lovely to see her and cheer her up no end to see you. I wish your Mum safe travels. Good grief, why would I be cross with you? BA and myself, yes ;)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 17:20
Did you not think £1500 for a business class ticket was actually quite cheap? Fully flexible fares are much much higher. You know you've answered your own question really when you said that you hadn't read the T&C's and haven't taken out insurance. Sorry -I don't want to be harsh and anger you further as I am really sorry for your predicament I really am, and think BA could do more to help you out, than they are doing but if you didn't read the T&Cs and didn't take out insurance for an older passenger then that's not their fault is it? No, I thought it was very, very expensive - I don't normally buy business tickets, or travel insurance. Last time I bought a business class ticket for my mother, it was London to Vancouver return on BA and it was around the same price, so actually, I was very shocked by the price. As I said, last time this happened, it was basic Economy and there was absolutely no problem with changing the dates. Also, we've been travelling business class on Turkish Airlines recently and it has always been cheaper and fully flexible. Anyhow, it might all turn out for the best, as if her doctor says she can fly at her appointment this afternoon, my mother has decided she will be coming after all :) Let this be a reminder to everyone when buying tickets online, not to be as foolish as I was. Though I still actually can't see anything about flexible tickets anywhere in my booking or the BA confirmation email. edited by simpleasabc on 22/06/2011 <em>edited by simpleasabc on 22/06/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 16:28
So jealous, Claire, my idea of heaven, but husbad doesn't believe in staying in Dubai - I tried to persuade him to go to Al Qasr for our wedding anniversary, but no :)
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 16:23
BA Tweet in response to my complaint: "I'm sorry to hear your mother is unwell and unable to travel. Hope she is feeling better soon." BUT WHAT ABOUT OUR 1,500 QUID? I hope you tweeted that back! Words to that effect, yes. They reply it's my fault for not reading the T&C and not having insurance and I still can't believe that at that price, the fare isn't flexible. I think I'll stop watching Twitter now, as my BP is reaching boiling point, if you see what I mean..
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 16:09
BA Tweet in response to my complaint: "I'm sorry to hear your mother is unwell and unable to travel. Hope she is feeling better soon." BUT WHAT ABOUT OUR 1,500 QUID?
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 16:07
Do they not have GCC resident special offers? Or is this for people abroad abroad?
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 13:37
The reason we chose BA was because we needed a direct flight and Emirates cost about a grand more than BA. Had we realized their policy on date changes and cancellation had changed so drastically, we would have thought again, or, I suppose, bought travel insurance.. ETA: I can't find anything in the T&C which says we can't change or cancel the booking, it just mentions service charges.. Curiouser and curiouser. <em>edited by simpleasabc on 22/06/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 13:33
what a nightmare for you - I would get my Mum to see her Dr and get a medical certificate. To be honest - at her age she's far better off staying well away from here. Get her over in November/December when it's soooo much nicer here than in the UK. I would be sending BA an e mail - their customer services are usually pretty good and hopefully they will see that the right thing to do is to re-book your mum for a later date. Tell them her recovery from her surgery is taking longer than expected and hopefully they will help you. Hope your Mum feels better soon. Thanks Claire - but that's the whole point, even with a medical certificate, the flight cannot be changed or refunded in full, apparently. You're right, though, I will email BA customer services now. The only thing is, in fact, I think it will do her good to come now, if only she can manage the journey, as otherwise, she will sink further and further into depression. She's not even eating any more, which is very unlike her.
simpleasabc
5400
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 12:23
Thanks, have posted something there, not sure if it makes sense!
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 12:16
Polly, sorry to be thick, but how do I do that? There are 3 twitter thingies for BA, I think.
simpleasabc
5400
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 11:18
??? Oh, thank goodness, it's not just me with an empty thought bubble over my head ;)
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 22:00
Gahhhh! How can a process involving FOUR countries for processing be described as "streamlined"?!! No wonder... To be fair, I'm not sure the word they used was "streamlined" and I'm afraid I can't be bothered to look it up..
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 21:40
We went to Istanbul with our daughter for a long week-end on our 10th wedding anniversary. We ignored the 15th, and went to Bab al Shams, with our daughter, for an overnight stay for our 20th wedding anniversary. Anyone notice a pattern here?
simpleasabc
5400
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 21:37
I'm so envious of you ladies who have been invited to Emirati weddings :) Is there a green smiley? But I'm not at all surprised that there's a load of s**y bling under the abayas - you see ladies in abayas buying all kinds of "undergarments" when you go shopping in the Malls..
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 21:34
What's more, the renewal is not done by the British Passports Office themselves, it is outsourced to a company in Ireland, who I should imagine are one and the same people who request your credit card details at 74p a min or whatever outrageous sum it is before putting you on hold for an unconscionable amount of time to speak to a useless, though friendly, person, who more often than not, cannot help. HTH. HAND. what is HAND? Have A Nice Day ;) the two people who answered phone yest were irish. the ones that said to nip down to British embassy bur dubai and renew passport. ???? You're kidding :) You're not kidding. It's farcical, but not funny for the people involved whose passports are flying around in this mess. Brian Rix should be here - no, that's the deleted "Feelings" thread..
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 21:25
Wow, thanks very much for that, Pepito. The one that got away mentioned J C Decaux, DK why that was objectionable?
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 20:39
When I got DS newborn passport in Oct last year it took 7 days door to door, goodness knows what's gone on in Dusseldorf to muck up the system since then! On April 1st, Overseas Passport Applications were "streamlined" (or any other weasel word of your choice). So, now, you send your application to Dusseldorf, Dusseldorf sends your application to the UK, the UK issues the new document and possibly sends it directly to you, or, more likely, sends it back to Dusseldorf who sends it back to you. What's more, the renewal is not done by the British Passports Office themselves, it is outsourced to a company in Ireland, who I should imagine are one and the same people who request your credit card details at 74p a min or whatever outrageous sum it is before putting you on hold for an unconscionable amount of time to speak to a useless, though friendly, person, who more often than not, cannot help. HTH. HAND.
simpleasabc
5400
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 19:36
Loopy Lottie posted this and other people used it with success: Try this..... I emailed a few days before I called, didnt get an immediate reply but she (he?) did reply once my pasport had been dispatched. You never know...... [email protected] Suwannee Ruppert | Passport Examiner | British Consulate General Dusseldorf | Yorckstrasse 19, 40476 Düsseldorf, Germany|  email: [email protected] |  fax: +49-(0)211-488 190 |  url: www.ukingermany.fco.gov.uk Search for thread entitled "I want my passport back now please" and you'll find all the info..
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 18:34
But why would anyone expect an Arab country to be exactly the same as back home?
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 18:30
Wow, lucky you :) I've not even met a real live Emirati in a social context, Seriously????? Yes, seriously. Only met Emiratis whilst dealing with formalities, which is hardly a social context :) Oh, and the people doing the Grand Mosque Tour, but that's not really social, either.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 17:45
To clarify, Kids are recognisable as themselves but in a weird not nice way. Hard to describe. If you took your picture and played about in photoshop the end result is some have narrow foreheads, big chin/nose, strange angles and generally very unflattering. Much like my Emirates driving licence photo..
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 17:35
"The Jewel In the Crown" was amazing, I thought, as was "Brideshead Revisited". More recently, has anyone mentioned "Bleak House"? ETA: Sorry, Moscow, I see you already have - and WaxMuch, loved the "Forsyte Saga" - this is the black and white version, right? <em>edited by simpleasabc on 21/06/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 17:23
Wow, lucky you :) I've not even met a real live Emirati in a social context, let alone got close enough to be privileged to be invited to an Emirati wedding. Enjoy :) I'd like a full report of what all the ladies were wearing, please!
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 13:08
4 DVDs and 2 things that look like dumbbells (to the uninitiated eye) now found. No instructions on paper, but I can't remember if there was a covering letter or not with them. Hope they're all right for you, Nutty. Email me on simpleasanniebc at gmail dot com to arrange a pick-up.
simpleasabc
5400
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 12:58
I only mentioned Switzerland cos it's on the border with France, where the OP wants to go :)
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 12:09
OK, Nutty, they're yours. If I find them.. Currently wasting money hanging on my mobile for Du to repair landline..
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 09:25
Sorry, Gem, I thought you were referring to visas for all Schengen countries, not specifically France :)
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 09:09
It is done through a central office. http://www.vfsglobal-fr-ae.com/ The most important thing is to call NOW for your appointment. They will not accept your application without an appointment and they accept only a limited number of applications daily. This was my experience when applying in March. Eta...you can pay 150 dhs for VIP service which means far less queuing and guarantee that your application will be received on your appointment date. Means that you can also email any outstanding docs to them (if any), you will receive a text when your application has been processed and delivery of your passport to you. edited by gemm3210 on 21/06/2011 That's not how I read what the Swiss Consulate is saying, but they do say this: "The time needed for a visa request to be processed may vary from case to case, but in general takes 3 weeks for a short stay visa. However, please note that a visa application cannot be submitted more than 3 months or less than 2 weeks before the planned trip." Maybe the VIP process is just if you get a Schengen visa via France?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 07:42
Leave it with me, will look for them today - first person to email me when I put up my email address saying I've found them (heaven knows when that'll be!) gets them! <em>edited by simpleasabc on 21/06/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 07:03
Don't need one myself, but why not try the Swiss Consulate? Details here: http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/reps/asia/vare/ref_visinf/visare.html Good luck.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 20 June 2011 - 22:27
I thought smoking of any kind was only allowed outdoors? Mind you, I was surprised this afternoon to see someone smoking a fag inside Shakespeare's (near Jumeira Park and Shop).
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 20 June 2011 - 22:22
Yes, my husband's company arranged our bank account on the second day we were here, before we had either employment or residency visas. The employment visa was in the pipeline at the time and the residency visa depended on that.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 20 June 2011 - 22:07
English for me, personally, and admittedly, chauvinistically, is the Queen's English. ETA: Apologies to the OP for digressing and sorry I can't give you any helpful answers. edited by simpleasabc on 20/06/2011 well fine, for you, and no doubt for your children (me too, I can't help it, mine are still going to learn to speak my form of English at home whether they like it or not) but why would anyone think they could impose that on people from other parts of the English speaking world? ET say: I can't do this. Rude remark changed to "no comment". <em>edited by simpleasabc on 20/06/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 20 June 2011 - 21:37
English for me, personally, and admittedly, chauvinistically, is the Queen's English. ETA: Apologies to the OP for digressing and sorry I can't give you any helpful answers. <em>edited by simpleasabc on 20/06/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 20 June 2011 - 21:27
It's already on our DEWA bill, presumably the previous tenant registered for it?
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 20 June 2011 - 21:26
and what's the deal with stringing out the bit before you actually get to speak to someone, for as loooooooooooong as possible to rack up the phone bill. Good thing passports have to only be renewed once every ten years, it takes that long for your BP to return to normal. :D That phone line is a disgrace (but that's where I came in ;) )
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 20 June 2011 - 21:25
As someone who comes from across the pond, I can assure you that gift as a verb is not used there either. I think it is only used in Indian English, which the British brought to India. Sorry, AD, made a wrong assumption about people's nationalities there..
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 20 June 2011 - 21:23
Sorry, BM, I've been out of the UK for so long that I have been on the receiving end of British "Customer Service" from a distance many a time and know it is often not all it is cracked up to be..
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 20 June 2011 - 21:19
You're going to like this one. So today I call the passport advisory helpline/customer service whatever in the UK. To book apt to do one day premium service for DS passport to avoid this Germany *nonsense*. So they ask me for a postcode. I don't have a UK postcode. Oh but you need one. Well I don't *have* one. Oh but you need one. So what do I do if I don't have one??! Oh just give us one for wherever you will be OR go to the British Embassy in Dubai and get your passport there.. Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr if I could do that WTH would I be phoning for???! sheesh........ On a lighter note, it makes conversations in Dubai seem easier actually!!! edited by Button Mushroom on 20/06/2011 Hang on, BM, can't you give a family member's postcode?
 
 
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