VictoriaM | ExpatWoman.com
 

VictoriaM

VictoriaM
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EW GURU
Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 17:43
Where do we go on arrival at airport? Check in/immigration? I don't see why she is liable for the flight when we have told her to go. She is not leaving of her own accord, though she is ok with going.
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 17:39
Ladies, as you may have seen on the Dubai forum, things have come to a head and I have asked for details of the process for sending her home ASAP, like NOW! Birchy says we can cancel her visa at the airport. If so, how long does it all take at the airport and where do we go when we get there? If anyone who's done this before could advise it would be really helpful. I can't have her here as I don't trust here and am very unnerved by her strange behaviour. I have told her she has to go as I cant have her in the house arguing with me. She says she is fine about being sent home. Having had a stern chat with her on SUnday and telling her her rudeness was unacceptable and wouldn't be tolerated, she had a go at me this pm for turning off the a/c when she was ironing. She claimed I had done this 3 times before and that I or it was inhuman. I said that she can just turn it back on again or ask me politely rather than being so rude about it, and that I didn't know she was there ironing (not her usual spot). She then kept muttering under her breath that I Did know. I asked if she was accusing me of lying, she started crying and wailing like a demented woman (I was honestly worried about the hot iron she was holding). So I said right that's it, I can't have this in the house, I am your employer and I am not going to argue with you, she should not be disrespecting me like that and walking around miserable all the time creating atmosphere. Told her she had to go. When she'd calmed down she came and said ok she wants to go and doesn't mind if I send her back to the Philipinnes. Quite unbelievable. To me she sounds like she has a screw loose, as she is behaving so irrationally and self- destructively in terms of her job. But a friend with lots of maid experience says this sort of odd irrational behaviour is not unusual. Do tell me it is unusual, I can't possibly go through this again!
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 17:23
Been on waiting list for Y4 at DESS for about a year. DD was 14 th on list, but they have refused to give me an update on where she stands now (not their policy to tell people). That said, I think the may have been a change of registrars so you may find them easier to deal with now. So yes, very popular and apparently very good, not for profit and reasonably priced. Never heard a bad word about it. And it seems not only low staff turnover but also little movement in pupils. Worth trying for though. You never know and if it's really that good then why not ? DESC also seems increasingly popular.
VictoriaM
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EW GURU
Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 17:13
Thanks Birchy. How long does the whole procedure take at the airport? Don't want to book ticket for 3 hours from now then find we don't have enough time. What do we do when we get to the airport? The maid has agreed to go and doesn't mind going home. What are we liable for financially? Contract says ticket and a months salary. Is the months pay on top of whatever we owe her for May?
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 17:00
Apologies for posting this on the general forum, but wanted reawaken sure we get a quick response. Can some one help us urgently with the process for sending a maid home? We want to do this ASAP, literally today/tomorrow if we can. maids behaviour (as some will know from my thread on the maids forum) unacceptable and now deteriorated to the point where I have told her she has to go as I cannot tolerate her behaviour. I am too shaken up by todays developments to try and wade through all the previous posts and work it out! My husbands employer says we can't legally send her home and she has to have a months notice and can then stay in Dubai a further month after that. If we want to put her on a flight immediately how do we get a visa cancellation form? Can we just get one at the airport? Info in the FAQ says we need to get that before and take it to the airport. Would really appreciate your help ladies.
VictoriaM
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 07:57
Riajoaquin, thanks for that info. In practice I don't see how a maid would be able to meet a cost of that magnitude anyway.
VictoriaM
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 19:43
Rainy skies, my maid seems to know she may be asked to pay back some of the costs - it was her that mentioned it. That is why she doesn't want her contract terminated. Where do I find out how contract/visa termination works? Is there a department I need to speak to?
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 15:58
Desert Rose, by costs I mean the costs of sponsorship/visa that we have paid. That would be a cost for us, but I have read on EW that maids are often liable to meet the costs of their sponsorship if they do not complete their contract.
VictoriaM
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 13:38
Good advice Daza. Will try and remember my long distant office days when I am talking to her. Purple, def agree not worth keeping her if she creates a bad atmosphere, which she isn't as yet. I am looking into ways to get out of this ( ie release her) if we decide to do that. She doesn't want to be released early due to the costs to her. Does anyone know anything about this or where I can find out what they are liable to pay, if anything? Not too bothered about hassle of finding a new maid. And at least I can try and get it right next time whereas it's harder once they've walked all over you once. But am concerned about costs.
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 12:48
Sorry I meant ' now to tell her'.
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 12:47
Desert Rose I hear what you are saying, and that really is the crux of the matter and easier said than done for a newbie unused to these roles. Unbelievably I've had plenty of man management roles at work in the Uk, but it feels very different in your own home. But I know I need to man up, take control and put the ball back in our court again. We have decided we will only let her work out her contract on condition she is flexible on hours when required. Not to tell her.....Let's see how she reacts. If she doesn't like it then we can release her sooner. Yeah, good point mushy peas, could use that. Tthough in reality she is not the only argumentative maid I know of. Another newbie friend has had similar problems for months.
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 08:08
She only has one key. I will try all the other keys when she is gone at the weekend and see if we have another (which I assume we will). New villa, lots of keys. I will get her passport. Whenever I have been in her (old) room before it has been immaculate and pretty bare. She keeps a lot of her stuff in Satwa at the family's rooms. Yes Desert Rose it is indeed a lot to process! I appreciate she shouldn't be working on a visit visa either but I bet they all do. It is different to being under someone's sponsorship and putting the sponsor at risk too. She has always been adamant she hasn't/wouldn't do part time work whilst sponsored. She doesn't go out in the evenings at all. The family here definitely exists - her previous but one sponsor told me on the phone that he has met them all, and I met one of her sisters. Anyway, another talk later today and taking possession of that passport. As for keys and whatevers in that room, sorry ladies but you're just going to have to bear the suspense for a few days longer!!
VictoriaM
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 May 2013 - 20:02
No problem NOmad. Hope your lad gets better Desert Rose. Tattie, love the ode! No she wasn't part timing in her last job. This was when she was over here job hunting on a visit visa and she helped out with her sisters employer. She is adamant she doesn't/wouldn't do part time when sponsored. I am heeding DR's words and she may of course be right. Though how I find out god only knows. When I've been in the maid's room before (including when she was not there) I have seen nothing suspicious but am going to try and get access again. It is more tricky now as it is an outside room, so locked (previous one was inside and unlocked). How do Ifind out what is going on then? Maid has today offered me her passport which is useful in case she needs taking to the airport.
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 May 2013 - 17:44
Daza, no I know its no guarantee of anything. I just thought she would be a decent virtuous lady who was less likely to give us grief messing around with boyfriends etc. Actually I think it may be the same woman - when I asked her about TV she said no need, she had her bible to read! Perhaps I should try talking to her through her window too!
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 May 2013 - 16:36
We are not long in Dubai (as if it is not obvious!) and clearly far too trusting! I dont smell a rat - does it really look so suspicious? Tattie, we came VERY close to getting someone new to DUbai over for this sort of reason. Some gratitude would be lovely!! i thought she was lucky to work for a generous accomodating family like us, but it seems we are not half as accomodating as some. In fact I had decided that was what we were going to do when I happened to meet someone who's maid had a sister who was looking for a job. OUr maid had worked for this lady part time for a while too, so she knew she was good. I would love to discusss it with the lady concerned but unfortunately dont have her number (it was the first time Id met her). Anyone know a maid who gets the whole weekend off??
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 May 2013 - 16:23
We seem to have had so many misundertstandings that it may well be a language issue for example. I am honestly not sure if she is playing games or has genuinely not understood. She still doesnt seem like the type to play games, being very family oriented and Christian. Whatever the true explanation, next time I will be putting all these things down in writing and getting the new maid to sign their agreement. I have learnt my lesson about there being any room for doubt misunderstanding. I agree with you Daza about the word 'happy'. As I wrote that it occured to me that it is not a happy outcome for me (though I am happy that the air has been cleared and the atmosphere is better)! We (husband and I) need to talk and decide how we want to proceed, transfer asap or at end of contract and with flexibility or set hours. Regarding her wants, are these terms really normal amongst the British population or has she just been incredibly lucky? I dont know anyone with a maid that has more than a day off.... And on hours, am I the only one that needs a bit of flexibility as we dont have a very rigid routine for whatever reason? I have to say a lot of the maids I interviewed seem very hung up on hours.
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 May 2013 - 14:26
Batgirl, her visa is already done (2 months ago) so there is no easy way out now. I have had a long talk with her this morning. I have told her the rudeness is unacceptable and she seems to be aware that she was out of line and has apologised. Also asked her to try and interact and play more with DD. I have asked her what her problem is as she referred to privacy and timings of duty. It transpires we have had a misunderstanding over hours and now have a conflict of expectations. I thought I was clear at interview that we needed someone flexible (to fit around my very variable work schedule) and cannot do set hours. My recollection is that she said that was no problem. But she has clung on to my mentioning 6.30 as an example of end times and taken that as her contracted hours. I simply recall saying I did not expect her to stay up and clear away our dinner things as that could be 9pm, so it could be more like 6.30-7. She Has confirmed that she wants set hours (exactly what I was trying to avoid and had turned down other maids for) finishing at 6.30 and ideally the whole weekend off, but 1.5 days will do! I'm amazed as I don't know of any maids who have the whole weekend off but all her sisters do. They are incredibly lucky. She wants to walk out of the house, close the door, go into her room and not have me knocking at her door after that time unless it's an emergency. I have occasionally knocked on her door at 8-9 to ask her questions (eg when unable to find something) and she is very unhappy with that. I have told her that she needs a much more structured defined role and routine and that is not what we need. I am either going to release her now or she will stay until her contract is up and we will agree a happy medium for the meantime.
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 18 May 2013 - 23:09
Well its a pretty unanimous view isnt it! Thanks ladies for supporting my gut feeling that this is not acceptable behaviour and not worth pursuing. I can really do without the stress and hassle of dealing with this sort of nonsense. My husband thinks I am overreacting and has also reminded me of how hard it was to find a maid in the first place. I think that might be why I've turned a blind esomething many things. Whilst this is the first time we have seen this attitude, there have been other demands and requests starting very early on, which should have rung warning bells. I should also have taken the lack of reference from her last job seriously. I let it go following a glowing reference from the employer before that who couldn't fault her on anything. That was her first maid job in DUbai though and I know they often become more demanding the longer they have been here. Well there is a lot I will do differently next time. It doesn't matter how often you read the valuable advice provided here, sometimes you have to make your own mistakes for it to really sink in. DesertRose and DAza, interesting that you view her cleaning skills as less important than other things (or rather not sufficient without other assets). I was employing a cleaner first and foremost ( I don't work outside the house though do work from home sporadically) so underestimated childcare and personality, but now see how important it is. She is not a misery to have around, but she's not great. Good mornings are often ignored! The day all this blew up I had heard my daughter and the maid shouting at each other whilst I was on the phone to DD. until then I hadn't realised what a strained relationship that had become. When she looks after DD she apparently makes no attempt whatsoever to interact with her and just leaves her watching tv. i have asked her to suggest playing a game or similar but seems this has been ignored. We have just moved to a compound villa where we have met a number of maids and I have been stunned by how different to ours they are: smiley, polite, interacting with the kids. I have also noticed that our maid shows no interest at all in the other maids and has acted in a very detached manner. So she seems rather antisocial and unfriendly in general. I misread it for shyness and deference at first. If I decide I want her to go, how easy will that be in practice? I would far rather she finds another job than have to send her back to the PHillipines.
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 04 May 2013 - 10:32
Loobie, why would you get fined for being on Black Palace Beach?
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 25 April 2013 - 11:23
I second Piz Buin allergy. Been using it for years with no skin rashes, except when we went to Thailand at Easter for some reason. Seems to work here anyway. Before we came out to Dubai last year I asked on this forum if it was available in Dubai and a couple of ladies said yes. But ive not managed to find it in the outlets memtioned or elsewhere and have to stock up when back in the Uk. Hadn't thought of ordering it. How long does it take Kate?
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 13:19
Yes, both sides next door to us empty for example. Could be good for negotiating...
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 12:29
We don't see many kids playing out in the streets in our bit of the Ranches either, and the general feel is quite quiet. But the little park is packed with little ones and mainly maids (rather than mums) in the afternoon. So the Ranches could work for you provided you get a villa as close to the park as possible and are happy to take your child there. You could also consider a compound with shared facilities in Jumeirah or similar. A friend of mine moved from Shoreline to a largish compound in Jumeirah recently To preserve the child-friendly set up. We are also moving to a similar compound soon. The communal grassy areas for kids to play on will be steps from the back door. No cars to worry about, though you might have to be careful with the pool at your kids' age. We wanted the sort of place the kids could run around freely and safely, but mine are a fair bit older.
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 March 2013 - 10:20
Want to shift my Dubai stone and running isn't cutting it. Am VERY tempted. Any success stories? I had also wondered about the Shack on Kite beach, but don't suppose they do classes do they? Will also check out In Shape. Thanks again.
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 March 2013 - 10:12
Get loads at Kings (year 4 though). DD's weekly homework entails Spellings that often require writing the words in sentences (sensible but time consuming), maths worksheets, weekly 'theme' homework which is generally something like a poster or a fact file or presentation, sometimes other English homework and sometimes French or Arabic too. Could easily take a day of the weekend if you let it, though its only meant to be 45 minutes per piece. And yes I have complained but some other parents think there is too little!!! Snthe teachers are a bit stuck. Optional homework is a great idea as it can then meet everyone's perosnal preference. I heard from a friend that Wellington Silicon Oasis (so maybe other GEMS schools) does this.
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 March 2013 - 13:15
Thanks ladies - lots of choice! Any of these allow you to pay for each class you attend rather than joining up?
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 March 2013 - 07:19
Great, thank you.
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 04 March 2013 - 17:19
Hi Newbie, Happy Kings mum here! Is the place you are hoping for at the original site in Umm Suqeim? If so, the expansion took place last September (from 2 to 4 classes per year) and no further expansion is planned. We were new to Kings in September and have been delighted with it. It is a lovely school with a relatively small personal feel, great staff and decent standards. It is also very well run in our opinion. However, parents that have been with the school for longer may feel it has changed for the worse with the expansion, and maybe it has lost something relative to what it was before. But without that comparison it certainly feels pretty good to us, and we came from a tiny London prep. If it is for the new Kings due to open in Nad al Sheba in September, then obviously I can't comment other than to say that I thought Id read that that again was meant to be 4-5 form entry only, ie half the size of many Dubai schools. You would have to check that is the case though.
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 04 March 2013 - 16:59
Hi Newbie, Happy Kings mum here! Is the place you are hoping for at the original site in Umm Suqeim? If so, the expansion took place last September (from 2 to 4 classes per year) and no further expansion on that site is planned. We were new to Kings in September and have been delighted with it. It is a lovely school with a relatively small personal feel, great staff and decent standards. It is also very well run in our opinion. However, parents that have been with the school for longer may feel it has changed for the worse with the expansion, and maybe it has lost something relative to what it was before. But without that comparison it certainly feels pretty good to us, and we came from a tiny London prep. If it is for the new Kings due to open in Nad al Sheba in September, then obviously I can't comment other than to say that I thought Id read that that again was meant to be 4-5 form entry, ie half the size of many Dubai schools. You would have to check that is the case though. If I come across the source of that information again I'll let you know. We were told to jump at the chance of a Kings place and took a leap of faith. So glad we did! HTH.
VictoriaM
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Latest post on 27 February 2013 - 11:22
Morning ladies, Does anyone know this compound right behind Falcon House off Al Wasl rd in Umm Suqeim 1? If so any feedback on the community, facilities, villas? Viewed a villa there and really liked the compound and location but seemed a bit quiet after school. TIA.
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 13 February 2013 - 11:54
We have been in the Ranches for 6 months. Personally (and I'm learning this the hard way) I think it depends TOTALLY on where your kids will go to school (and to a lesser extent where you or your husband will be working). I read this advice on EW before we moved here but stupidly chose to ignore it!! If your kids will go to Repton, Wellington DSO, JESS AR, DESC or another school out this way and not in town if you like, then yes absolutely, Arabian Ranches is a lovely place to live. It is green with beautiful flowers and birds everywhere, lovely for walks, runs, bike rides. It feels so safe too. We have left our house/ car door unlocked a few times (accidentally) without incident, not that I'm recommending you do that of course! The community centre has most things, is very handy and the cafes and restaurants have pretty terraces to sit out on at this time of year. It is very quiet within the communities themselves, with little traffic. Apart from location and traffic at gates, the only downside we've found is it has been less sociable, both for kids and families as a whole, than we expected. Our experience has been that people largely keep themselves to themselves. For instance, we've been here 6 months now and have never met our next door neighbours, in fact I've only even seen them once, and judging by the bikes outside, they clearly have kids. That said, the communal pools in the warmer months are fairly sociable and we have met people there. But it is surprising how few people use them, perhaps because lots have their own private pools. If your kids' schools will be in Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Oud Metha or somewhere in New Dubai, then I would suggest you may be better off living elsewhere. The queues to get out of the Ranches from the Studio city and Motor city exits in the morning are bad (time it wrong and it can take 15 minutes to get out, from the front door, depending on where in the Ranches you live). Our school run is to Umm Suqeim and it takes 20 minutes if we are lucky and time it right, but can easily take 30, and when the traffic is really bad (eg coming back on a Thursday pm or if there is an accident) it can take 40. Add to that going back to school again for activities/clubs, parents evenings, concerts, plays etc and it totals a lot of time on the road. Plus pLaydates, which are often another 20 minutes on from school in a different direction. We've frequently had one hour trips back to the Ranches from pLaydates in places like Jumeirah 1 in heavy Thursday traffic. Much as We love the Ranches, we have decided not to renew our lease and move closer to school due partly to distance and partly to social aspects. It is no fun spending so much time being a taxi driver, nor can it be great for the kids. It seems like such a waste of precious time to me too. We are not the only ones with the same train of thought- our neighbours next door but one moved to Umm Suqeim a few days ago for similar reasons. Depending on where school (and work)will be, if you want a similar type of large master community you may be better off in Meadows, Springs or Lakes for example. They are much closer too to all the action in the Marina, JBR and also nearer the beaches, so you have the best of both worlds in a way. But they are further from old Dubai if that is important to you for work or other reasons. Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim are probably the most genuinely central location. You can get to old or new Dubai in 10-15 minutes from there, which in my view is infinitely preferable to the 25 minutes or so from here. I would agree with other posters that AR is central, in other words equidistant from old and new parts of the city, but it's still a longer way to everything than from certain other locations. It also depends what sort of lifestyle you want and what you are used to. Coming from inner London with public transport on our doorstep and being able to walk to a lot of things, becoming a family that needs 2 cars to get anywhere has been a big adjustment for us. For us it feels a long way away, and going for a night out in Dubai seems like a trek. But if you dont care about nightlife and are used to the 'burbs then it won't be a shock. Sorry for the long-winded post! To sum up, I would think twice unless school/work can be reached from AR in 15 minutes or so, in which case yes go for it, it is lovely. But If not, there may be other, preferable options that would allow you to access everything you need more quickly.
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 February 2013 - 17:52
Bump. I'm currently Looking at exactly the same thing, though for a younger child. There are 2 (or more?) companies doing this, Surf School UAE and Surf Dubai. Would be really interested to hear anyone's feedback on either. Watched a surf class for a group of kids on Umm Suqeim beach and it looked like great fun!
VictoriaM
562
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 February 2013 - 15:56
Lovin123 - great to hear the move to a compound has worked out so well for you. We have finally decided to do the same, and all being well will move from AR to a compound when our lease expires (a good few months yet). Is it a faily large compound you moved to? Fingers crossed we will have a similarly positive experience. As the following shows, it is very hit and miss.... Champagne blonde - so are we!! And with a totally different experience! Must even depend on your precise location within a community then. We see kids flitting past in the road sometimes, but hardly what Id call lots. Perhaps we time it wrong, but Whenever we walk/cycle around its the same, either pretty deserted or the odd pair of kids here and there. We haven't really found a spot where kids congregate, other than the younger ones in the park. And we very rarely see the kids DD knows playing outside - generally busy with homework and clubs it seems. Yes, like you we met quite a lot of people at the pool too when it was warmer, but there is no similar meeting point at this time of year.
VictoriaM
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Latest post on 27 January 2013 - 22:06
Hi Elmpark, your setup sounds ideal, and more what we we've been used to. Do you mind me asking which compound it is, and whether it is car free or not? I've been into one large compound, Sidra village, but parking is inside the compound, so there is traffic. TBH our community is not much larger than your compound, but the layout and traffic are crucial factors and can make a difference regardless of size.
VictoriaM
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 January 2013 - 12:19
Hi lady loo, Yes I think you're probably right. I know of some kids in Alvorada who play unsupervised, and on the streets, but it doesn't seem to be common here. Our street in London was a rare case. Not many streets where you could allow the kids out to play like that. It was gated and a private road, so no one lurking around, and few cars. Guess its also easier for the kids to be supervised here as so many families have maids. Not a luxury we have in the Uk!
VictoriaM
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Latest post on 27 January 2013 - 11:13
Hi ladies, thanks for stressing that the parks are the way to go. We gave it another bash, having found it a dead loss previously, and found quite a few kids this time. I met another mum who told me it is heaving with kids after school. Can't believe we didn't realise! However she did say most are a bit younger than my DD as 8 year olds up tend to have more homework and activities. Also most are accompanied by a maid, perhaps because they are that bit younger. We don't have a maid yet but are in the process of hiring one. It is a shame they can't go and play independently, but there are roads (albeit quiet ones) to cross to get there. Looks like we (and ultimately our maid) will be park bound in future! In the longer run, If we would ideally prefer the sort of set-up we had in the UK where the kids could play outside unsupervised in a central area in view of the house (it was a small gated cul de sac with a communal garden in the middle), do we really need a compound rather than a larger gated community? The kids were in and out of each others houses and knocked on doors freely. I read on some other threads, with some surprise, that this is not the done thing here. Playdates are all well and good but I can't arrange enough to provide company for an only child.
VictoriaM
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EW GURU
Latest post on 26 January 2013 - 12:17
Hi ladies, thanks for all your replies. Asti, it's interesting you say people keep themselves to themselves in Dubai. Perhaps it depends on where you live, but it's very much my impression of the Ranches. DH has taken to calling it a ghost town as we never see anyone! We thought Dubai was meant to be very sociable, expected lots of BBQs etc and have been very surprised at the absence of get-togethers. Worse than London!! Re the parks, we have tried that and there is usually either no one there or a group of siblings with a maid who only want to play together. Once DD found a group of cousins roughly her age that she joined in with. And only once has she seen lots of kids. There are 2 small parks very close together so that spreads the kids out even thinner. But we will give it another go. Of course parks are not as easy as roads (if in a cul de sac of course) as it may mean some one taking DD there. Al Reem sounds good, as does Alma. I had heard that before actually and it makes sense in some ways. I had wondered (sadly didn't occur to me before) if the communities with the detached villas are less friendly as people are more spread out and tend to have bigger gardens and often their own pools too, hence less reason to congregate at the communal facilities. Good for large, self-sufficient families but not so good for those with only children! McB, yes there are loads of kids in our part of the Ranches, just very busy ones without time to play out! Take your point about the roads and danger. I am concerned about that too. We lived in a cul de sac in the Uk, but here we have through traffic. We were under pressure to find somewhere last summer and had to take our fourth option, so knew it wasnt perfect. Also, house hunting in summer is hard as all the kids are out of Dubai so hard to tell if there are many or not. Our lease expires in June, so we are strongly considering moving on as AR, whilst beautiful (love the flowers, lakes, walks, runs, community centre, polo club), is not what we hoped for on the social front for DD, or even us for that matter! The more I hear, the more I am starting to think a proper compound rather than a gated community might be the way forward. School is in Jumeirah anyway so it makes practical sense.
VictoriaM
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EW GURU
Latest post on 05 January 2013 - 19:39
Thanks SweetSugar - I'll do that. Does she want to stay in the same area of Dubai as her sister, and if so where is that?
VictoriaM
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EW GURU
Latest post on 04 January 2013 - 22:30
Hi Sweetsugar, Is she still looking for a job? If so I will give her a call tomorrow/Sunday.
VictoriaM
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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 January 2013 - 17:15
Hi mushy peas, Sorry for resurrecting this old thread, and don't even know if you are still around?! If so, could I ask you about Al Ahliya labour supply? You say they gave you a guarantee that they would replace your maid if you weren't happy. I have just been in contact with them and they said the guarantee is limited to medical reasons and "if the maid refuses to work". Am I missing something or could they have changed their policy. Have queried this but no response yet. I think the guarantee is essential given that you are paying the agency a substantial sum and have not had the reassurance of actually meeting the maid face-to-face.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 03 January 2013 - 12:10
Thanks for your suggestions ladies. Will give them a go and see how I get on!
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 03 January 2013 - 11:54
Sorry Clare, the number for Arabian Apex Laundry is 04-3470347.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 02 January 2013 - 18:02
Or try Arabian Apex Laundry. Great service (we're in the Ranches too) and very cheap.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 December 2012 - 10:59
Thanks for your replies ladies. October, your post confirms the impression I got from other threads - none of them are perfect. I too am considering using someone else and paying for the things I really want done, but who to use if they are all much of a muchness?? Neat freak, any recommendations? Jim will fix it sound a bit different, that's if they ever get back to you of course (have seen a few threads mentioning this).
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 December 2012 - 10:48
This is our experience when I stupidly reversed my car out of our garage in a rush and scraped it on the wall. Being newbies we had no idea you needed a police report and only found out when Dh took the car to be repaired. This was a couple of weeks later. DH called the police on the non-emergency number but they told him to call 999. It took a few attempts but he got through eventually. They sent out a policeman who said he could only issue a slip for an Accident/damage caused today, so we would have to go down to Bur Dubai police stAtion. He took the car and photos of the paint on the wall as evidence. Of course when my husband got there they told him to go home and call 999! He stood his ground and eventually the policeman very begrudgingly issued a slip. However, it is a WHITE slip (we were expecting pink or green). We haven't got round to taking the car back to the body shop yet. Does anyone know what this white slip is and whether it will be accepted at the garage? So mum2girls, the process is not very clear. You could either persist with calling 999 but accept that you will likely have to drive down to Bur Dubai police station subsequently! Or go straight to the police stAtion and take the chance you may get sent back home to call 999! Also I wouldnt tell them how old the scrape is given that you Are meant to report these things immediately. I think we said a few days.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 December 2012 - 18:27
Bumping this as we are still getting nowhere with Farnek. Any advice on how to get maintenance companies to follow up and return to complete jobs would be really helpful. Also any comment on whether this is normal in Dubai or if Farnek are particularly bad at this. Our landlord's maintenance contract is with Farnek so we are tied, but Im so fed with them Im even considering getting someone else in and paying for it if they will just get things done. Our pending issues date back 2 months! Many thanks ladies.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 November 2012 - 23:21
Arabian Apex Laundry do this. We are in AR and use them a lot. Haven't tried them for dry cleaning however, but for normal laundry and ironing we find them reliable and cheap and they do a good job. 04 347 0347.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 November 2012 - 19:53
Nicky, just seen your update. I would go for the salt water idea rather than creams to flush it out and clean the wound personally. I would think its most important at this stage to get the germs out. A neighbour did this for me though so I don't know how much salt to use or how warm/hot, but I don't think it would do any harm anyway. Someone with first I'd knowledge may know more specifically. Then get your husband to take you to a government hospital like Rashid in Oud Metha. They were very good, professional, fast and friendly. Different experience to A&E in London! And yes cat bites are worse than dog bites as they tend to be deeper and cats carry lots of germs in their mouths.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 November 2012 - 19:44
Hi, hope you are ok and it is not too painful. This happened to me a few weeks ago so I know the ropes. I had deep puncture wounds from the cat's fangs - very painful. Hope yours are more superficial perhaps? Yes you definitely need medical attention as soon as possible. Cat bites can be very nasty and deep and often get infected, which can cause serious complications if left untreated. I went to my doctor within a couple of hours, but was told all cat and dog bites have to be referred to a government hospital by law, so we went to the emergency room at Rashid hospital. You will need a tetanus jab if you are not up to date and also a course of rabies jabs (they take this very seriously). They will also give you antibiotics. My bites became infected, turning red, warm and swollen the next day. It takes a couple of days for the antibiotics to take effect so best to get it into your bloodstream asap. If you have not already done so you could try soaking in warm salty water to clean the wound. Do not cover the bite - you don't want to trap Bacteria in. Good luck - hope you get it sorted out.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 24 September 2012 - 17:19
Hi Kelly, We moved in to the Ranches in July, and were surprised and disappointed to find that none of the landlords were willing to negotiate at all! As a result we ended up with our 4th choice house (for the asking price). That was our individual experience, but it must depend on so many variables: supply and demand at the particular time, the circumstances and attitude of individual landlords, how realistic the price is in the first place etc. I did meet someone the other day who was just signing their contract in AR and had managed to knock the landlord down by 25,000, so perhaps we were unlucky or demand is lower now than in the summer (would make sense) and tenants have more bargaining power. Hope that is the case and best of luck.
VictoriaM
562
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 July 2012 - 13:37
Thanks Cornish Pixie. Can I get it in Boots? Anyone else know which SPFs are available?
 
 
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