weekirst | ExpatWoman.com
 

weekirst

weekirst
171
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 May 2012 - 17:22
Gina posts on this site all the time with very helpful advice....I am positive she was joking when she wrote this and in no way was she being offensive. There was nothing wrong with your original posting either, apple. It is more difficult being here with no kids and meeting new people.... I was at the other end of that scale when I came as no kids here. There is also Tuesday Ladies Gp...meets every 2nd Tues. and has speakers, but and please I am not offending anyone here.....the people that go are a little bit older ( I am same age as them) so would hesitate to recommend them. They do have an informal coffee meet on a Sun morning at the Pearl at 10 am at Nelsons Chocolate Bar....just drop in. There are yoga, pilates classes in compounds etc.....which may be open to non residents.....worth asking on here if that interests you.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 May 2012 - 17:16
Loads of people drive big trucks here...the roads are not that narrow. There are not a lot of motorways or ring roads like Dubai....and busier as more people crammed into a smaller area. I drive a car just now but also had a land cruiser here...no problems whatsoever.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 May 2012 - 16:01
kimmc3......did you mean noise from traffic? I am in the middle of the compound.....hear absolutely no noise at all....maybe outside houses are bothered by that but never heard any complaints. As to traffic issues.....I am coming out later in morning outwith rush hour so have never had any real issues with that...especially as I can get onto D ring no bother but I hear from others about how bad the morning commute can be if you do not time it right. I know sports roundabout is nightmare...I avoid it at all times and know all the back roads and shortcuts to do that. I lived in West Bay before and loved it but have adapted quite easily with living up here...maybe because living in West Bay made me think twice about going to Salwa and the airport side because of traffic but now can do it fine using D.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 May 2012 - 14:40
In Al Rayyan....this is corporate rental only supposedly so if you are looking at renting by yourself, I am not sure if they do that? Anyway, compound is fine, narrow streets and neighbours are pretty close to you. Gardens, not big, but have covered terrace and huge roof terrace. All brand new appliances and houses so only few teething issues which are dealt with very promptly. Pool is quite small for size of compound, especially as compound is half empty now and can be busy at weekends. Rest of facilities are good...shop is now open...thank god....gym....supposed to be a cafe and restaurant opening soon inshallah. Right now, compound is mostly Exxonmobil, so mixture of ages with plenty of children. Location has turned out to be pretty good....half way between landmark and villagio. My husband drives to West Bay in morning....the issue is back up from the school round the corner and mad drivers, so it depends on what time you leave. He can get there in 15 / 20 mins and get home at 5 ish in about 10 mins.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 May 2012 - 14:34
Think driving in Dubai prequalifies you for driving here! Just ease into it and it will be fine....as Gail says, you just need to keep your wits about you.....but Dubai is also like that!
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 May 2012 - 14:30
Okay...that response made me laugh and good on you for laughing with us. Had wanted to enlighten you also but was not sure how to do it....that was the best way! As a traveller for many years.....my advice....you will adapt and learn to live with what you can. Your kids are way too young for any it to be that bad! Moving during the final years of high school is a much more scary scenario!! LOL. Seriously, Doha is not that kind of place...so come prepared!
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 May 2012 - 12:06
In my experience, paying the fees before summer, or at least part of them, is normal for a private international school. I have had to do it at every school I have ever used.....but some schools take a part payment to help some families with their budget.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 May 2012 - 09:44
There is a new Al Jazi compound up close to there that has good feedback. The concern I would have with Riveria is that giant pit in the middle of the compound which is an eyesore.....as well as looking pretty dangerous. It has been there for years but I have no idea why it was dug out and not filled in when they decided not to do whatever they were doing!
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 May 2012 - 10:18
It is the usual Doha thing re interviews......I know people who only had a chance of getting in by bringing kids for interviews and others who were given a place based on school reports only. This does not mean their kids were exceptionally gifted ...just a place had arisen and they fitted for whatever reason......although there are guidelines they seem to change a lot. Schooling here is the most challenging aspect of moving here so be prepared for that!!
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 May 2012 - 16:33
Also saw it in that pharmacy just outside the main megamart a couple of weeks ago.....next to till at front door.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 May 2012 - 07:43
I totally agree with Gina.....the fatal accident rates are appalling here....most purely down to bad driving and lack of seatbelts. It is only recently that they have been published in the newspaper. There is no pleasure in driving here and you have to be 100% aware at all times.....and late night at the weekends is worse! I have been here now for a total of 7 years and touch wood...no accidents. It does put me off from going out sometimes when I cannot be bothered dealing with the hassle and time involved in getting there. Still, it could be worse, at least we are able to drive and not trapped in the house! You get used to it and always expect the unexpected here.....but if the traffic police did their job, the number of accidents would fall!
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 May 2012 - 09:08
I have never heard anyone shipping from the USA...sure the cost would rule that out. You could however pick up a second hand SUV here from an expat...most have very low mileage as there is nowhere to drive to and represent better value than new. There is no incentive for the car dealers here to offer deals as no competition as most are sole dealers.....very frustrating dealing with them.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 April 2012 - 07:57
It is a great wee store.....has been there for years...the white crockery is very good quality.....shock! To help find it while driving, from what I remember.....it is in a small stripmall....row of maybe 4 stores. I dont think it has any flats above it either and is festooned with fairy lights. Should always get a discount if you ask!
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 April 2012 - 10:30
New House Complex if it is the one I think you are referring to is kitchen supply shop with large stock of restaurant supply crockery and the usual Doha mishmash of things. Directions...hmm...will have a go. Come down from Ramada traffic lights, down past Megamart to Jaidah flyover big R/A. Turn right here.....I think it is just past the first set of traffic lights here on RHS. There is a side road immed before and just past it. You can park on the main road by driving into a space but as road is very busy and another traffic light just in front, the cars backing up makes reversing out a dangerous operation! The store has good quality white basic plates and bowls with many serving dishes.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 April 2012 - 13:44
I like Dr Razan up at Al Ahli....spent long time working in Germany, originally from Syria. She is very hard to get an appointment for but if you spell it out as an emergency, they will fit you in......if it is, of course. Tel. 44898826.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 April 2012 - 20:33
Thanks Becster....ended up at docs this afternoon after feeling breathless earlier today.....also given antibiotics, but no decongestants as nose etc clear...just to take expectorant.....the joys of living here!
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 April 2012 - 10:05
Interested to hear what the doc says it is as I have had bad chesty cough for over a week.....wondered if worth going to doc as thought it was viral! No other symptoms.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 April 2012 - 17:45
That happened to me last year....had to go up to traffic police and see captain to plead my case....only good thing was that I had an arabic friend read charges....saw my plate no but name of charged written as mohammed....phew! I was accused of driving too fast on Al Saad St late one Friday night....like most people here, I avoid late night driving because of the nutters......after a bit of running around up at traffic dept, ended up with charges against me dropped. Looks like the cop had written down the wrong number plates...I hope!
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 April 2012 - 07:25
Yes....is Al Rayyan Village.....corporate leasing only, no leases to individuals. Still being finished in places, Exxon has a large percentage of the houses in here. Very close to DESS.....Al MessEilah is next door to it.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 April 2012 - 06:58
If she ends up doing it here, and the doc is UK/USA trained....it is always worth googling their name and a few choice words like "court" "sued" to doublecheck there are no issues back home with them. I totally agree with Rachel......had joint surgery but went home for it ....but would only have considered Aspetar.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 April 2012 - 19:22
Dang!! Had heard that myself today....too good to be true!
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 April 2012 - 13:18
A friend had hers done here by an american doctor at Aspetar sports hospital and it was very successful.....but think he may have left. They have mostly orthopaedic docs up there but can be difficult to get an appointment unless you are willing to wait.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 April 2012 - 21:20
Just heard from someone else who was up there today and said it was open. Is it on left hand side, kinda opposite the underground public carpark near Carluccio's? I had seen a huge place...thought it was a cinema as had no windows!
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 April 2012 - 19:11
Still banned in restaurants....no news on that coming back yet. The new QDC does not sell pork he said, but will in the future.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 April 2012 - 18:41
No...I called them...spoke to the guy up there. Apparently there has been a bit of a backlash on twitter from certain individuals according to Doha News...not sure if that has postponed the opening or just the normal Qatari thing. The guy told me it is located at the far left hand end of the Pearl...well away from everything!
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 April 2012 - 18:08
Ok...just called them...not opened quite yet...another few days!
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 April 2012 - 18:01
Assuming most people know about this, but just in case.....a second branch of QDC opened today supposedly at the Pearl.....yaahhhh!
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 March 2012 - 10:15
I came here from USA and had a skype account, costing 7$ a month which gives unlimited landline calls to a country of your choice....kept it going so I can phone Uk. Might be worth looking into seeing if you can set this up....need it for both sets of parents and a couple of friends so well worth it. Used a USA credit card....not sure how it goes with that side.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 March 2012 - 12:27
When I had skype issues earlier this year, I checked with QTel to see what would be the cheapest way to call UK. Landline was approx 3 QR peak times and 1.5QR off peak per minute.....using prepaid mobile was 66 dirhams per minute.....mainly because they have more deals on international calls from a mobile phone.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 March 2012 - 10:23
ID Design in D ring road @ The Mall used to stock it.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 March 2012 - 09:17
Never seen tylenol PM but they do have panadol PM in the pharmacies which works in same way for me....in a box.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 March 2012 - 16:45
Al Rayyan is where I am now..this was forced company move. The houses are good....brand new white goods after al jazi is brill. Had expected the worst re new housing but not had many teething problems...hot on maintenance and fast response to any probs...in fact they are fairly proactive in doing preventative checks and services! However, not sure if this compound is open to one off rentals....was supposed to be corporate leasing only. ...but that could change is they have no takers. Right now is mainly Exxon. I think the houses are very close together and gardens are really non existent. The clubhouse is great but pool seems to be small for the number of houses. They also have small shop and awaiting permits for coffee shop and restaurant.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 March 2012 - 09:08
I lived in Al Jazi until last year...the villas are pretty big and nicely spaced out with wide roads and an open feel to the compound. Is a quiet compound except for villas backing onto main road towards tennis stadium. However, inside the villas is a different story.....dated kitchens, A/C,white goods and toilets.....although maintenance was done fairly quickly it is very much a case of patching it together with old parts and no skill. The location is fantastic and if the compound was upgraded it would be brilliant....I moved in when they were first built in '93......and they have not been touched.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2012 - 23:50
Would be keen to see some classes!
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 February 2012 - 18:27
Just a shout out for this new cafe inside The Gate at Salam near city centre. Went for lunch...great organic chicken salad and lovely sandwiches....pretty reaonable prices as well. Was empty which is a shame...on the top floor looking out to the new Renaissance hotel.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 February 2012 - 07:50
There is supposedly a new law requiring all shipments must be cleared with customers local ID or passport....so aramex needs that info if they do not already have it...is on their website or twitter page? This is holding up all incoming shipments and customers advised not to order until this clears.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 January 2012 - 18:13
Girl has stall up from Pauls in Landmark selling diffusers and big range of oils....prob not organic though. I thought I saw some in that chemist inside CC.....on same floor as C4 .....one that looks onto icerink....Tisserand I think.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 January 2012 - 03:05
Thought I saw organic milk in the big Megabucks....expensive as per norm.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 January 2012 - 08:19
We are lucky as company provides an american GP for us to see. Having said that, still have had to visit Al Ahli a lot......if you go to thier website and click on Internal Medicine, then physicians.....each doctors qualifications and background is there. Head of dept, trained in Pakistan but worked in UK....I have used him. Also there is a woman from Belgrade as well....I do tend to save up my problems and go home for a round of docs appointments but that is not practical for everyone. It is my biggest bugbear about living here....I know there are good docs but dont trust the system!
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2012 - 18:24
Was out at that new Barwa village in Nov....they seemed to have lot of shops with DIY stuff....maybe worth a look? Out past the airport on the right hand side of main road...where the new Mega Bucks is.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2012 - 09:35
There will deffo be some readjusting to do.....but sometimes you just have to get on with it. Doha has many days when I think.....wtf?!...... For you, major issue will be school places.....decide fast and apply asap....all seem to have waiting lists. From West Bay area, DESS is not too far. I second the compound living for a family, if you can, having done both options. Al jazi is expensive....depends on your allowance. Is lovely but a tad tired, needs houses modernised. Think from what people say, it is easier to find housing once here as marketing from housing companies is not up to much.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 09:29
Irn bru....glad to hear someone has decent internet here! Buffering at night is horrible where I live..makes you wonder what you pay all this money for!
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 05:15
Chizz, you are right about the slingbox. As for VPN.....bandwidth is the important thing...during the day here, it is fine but at weekends and night it is not good....so streaming tv is annoying. Plus football is coming from a 3rd party website and quality is bad. Could watch it in one of the bars or rugby club.....
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 January 2012 - 11:58
I passed it last week and noticed they have built new place next door....maybe they are in process of moving in?
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 January 2012 - 14:49
Thanks for all the input....had looked also in Dubai.....but found out no facetime....need this for talking to people back home....so did not buy. Checked it out in Vodaphone today and your right, the difference is not that much so if we dont go home in the next month we will just buy here. Did not think to ask if vodaphone had facetime....but will check when back in.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 January 2012 - 10:59
I was looking for this post re iphone package and noticed your post cc.....you have iphone and yet want to bbm.....maybe I have wrong end of stick....but my daughter has iphone and has app so she can bbm pals who have blackerrys....one of the things she does to far flung friends. She had blackberry for 2 years but was desperate for iphone....as soon as she saw this app she switched.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 January 2012 - 21:39
Thanks guys for that enlightening info.....had not considered US phone as thought they were all linked to carriers. Will be back in Uk at some point so could have bought there. Makes sense to suck up the price here then as the updates for apple products come fast and thick so would rather have easy access to them.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 January 2012 - 13:28
Sorry, did not make that clear in last post....the army folks were the ones making the noise!! Party city apparently as was used for R&R.....everyone complaining about them!!
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 January 2012 - 14:36
Debenhams has up to 50% off selected items today...look out for woman at front door giving a voucher with a further 20% off sale goods.....not everything of course, but worth a look. Managed to get a king quilt cover originally at 250 for 96 riyals.
weekirst
171
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 January 2012 - 19:57
Ditto on the horror that this place is still open for business after this....never went back after I found out.
 
 
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