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SD BOY
Joined: 29 Mar 2009
Posts: 60
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 Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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What is the meaning of "aks"?
Cleopatra, you've spent time in countries you don't care to return to? Is that by mutual consent?
En tout cas, Little Old Lady is off to the Sultinate of Oman.
My work here is done. |
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littleoldlady
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 286
Location: knitting heaven
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Is Taif not pleasant? The research I've done says it's moderate, fresh and the summer capital because of the altitude. |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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Little Old Lady, if you want to enjoy the rest of your life, and forget about your bad dreams of the 70s, go to Oman and forget about the Magic Kingdom.
The Magic Kingdom is for people with double iron skin!  |
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trapezius
Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 1670
Location: Land of Culture of Death & Destruction
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:29 pm Post subject: |
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| littleoldlady wrote: |
| Is Taif not pleasant? The research I've done says it's moderate, fresh and the summer capital because of the altitude. |
Yes, in Taif you get the "pleasant climate", but not the "interesting offer".
And go to Oman, it will be better for you in almost all respects. |
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Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Most (not all) employers these days allow employees to keep their passports and to get multiple exit-reentry visas which are valid for 6 months. |
Very few actually let you hold on to the passport. The problem with multi-visas always was government regulations, which are laxer now than some years back.
I'd advise littleoldlady to reconsider Taif. It's a very nice place and there are plenty of places you can travel to from there. Oman is probably more laid back, but a lot will depend on your employment situation. If you can get in at Sultan Qaboos take it, but if what you're being offered is a job by a recruiter out in the sticks beware.
The problem with the Emirates is age discrimination. And of course even there there are foreigners stuck who can't leave because they maxed out their credit card, got sacked and didn't get to the airport quick enough.
Don't borrow anything and you should be OK in that respect in the Gulf. The one thing to remember is you want direct hire with a good government institution. Avoid everything else like the plague. |
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american girl
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:58 pm Post subject: Mahram |
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Can the son be the mahram for his 40 years old mother , he is 16. if yes can she bring her older son 18 to stay sometimes she is married but does not like husband to come as he is a big headach. pleas stick with the question.  |
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tillymd
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 114
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Which is the more desirable option....A PTA husband or a Mahran? |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:48 am Post subject: |
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| Very few actually let you hold on to the passport. |
Perhaps I've been lucky, but of the three employers I've had in KSA, two have allowed employees to hold onto their passports. Both were private institutions.
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| Can the son be the mahram for his 40 years old mother , he is 16. |
As I thought I'd made clear at the start of this thread, foreign women do NOT need a mahram. There is definitely a down side to life here, but let's not inject 'not without my daughter' fantasies into it. |
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littleoldlady
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 286
Location: knitting heaven
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| Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:07 am Post subject: |
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Cleopatra
If you have a moment, I would really appreciate a PM from you. Thank you |
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Mia Xanthi
Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Posts: 955
Location: why is my heart still in the Middle East while the rest of me isn't?
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| Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 7:33 am Post subject: |
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Littleoldlady, I'd like to put my two cents in here. First of all, Cleo is right that you do not need a mahram. I know MANY single women here, most of whom are a good deal older than you are. They all get around just fine without a mahram of any sort. Put that worry out of your mind.
However, I'd say that the worry about getting "trapped" is more realistic. I am not a Saudi basher...in fact, I have rather enjoyed my time in the Kingdom. But you've got to face facts if you come here. If your employer wants to cancel your exit/re-entry visa, he can do so at any time. He may not be able to keep you here indefinitely, but he can make your life hell for a few weeks at any rate. I know people who have wanted to break their contracts without three months' notice who have been trapped here until they paid our employer two months of back wages. Check your contract carefully, and don't violate it or depend on your employer's good will if you do violate it. Things are mostly fine as long as you stick to the contract, but if you try to break it, watch out.
The other thing you have to worry about is getting stuck here while your visa is being processed. If you come over on a business visa and switch to an iqama, the process can take months and you won't necessarily be able to leave while it is ongoing. The same thing can happen with visa/iqama renewal. I have known people who have not been able to return to their home countries for emergencies and family funerals because of this problem.
I agree with the other posters that you should go to Oman and not look back to Saudi Arabia. It's not that Saudi is necessarily horrible for everyone, but Oman is consistently a better experience and does not entail being "trapped" under any circumstances.
And BTW, you are not too old for the Emirates! |
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littleoldlady
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 286
Location: knitting heaven
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| Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 2:29 pm Post subject: |
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| You are right Mia. I have heard this first hand today from a colleague. I have decided not to go to KSA for this reason alone. Thank you to everyone for being so honest and helpful. I believe I am making the right decision for me. |
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nomi
Joined: 24 Jun 2009
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:16 pm Post subject: |
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| cleo is right, its not as horrifying as it seems or as people say. if ur comming to jeddah than its much better, because jeddah is considered to be one of the most librel(sorry if the speling is wrong) cities in KSA. just dont mind the abaya and u cant drive too. rest is good. well i am quite happy here. |
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trapezius
Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 1670
Location: Land of Culture of Death & Destruction
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| Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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| ^ What subject do you teach? (I am assuming you are a teacher/instructor) |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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...certainly NOT of English!
NCTBA |
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littleoldlady
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 286
Location: knitting heaven
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| Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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So cruel, so cruel - NCTBA it hurts me so.  |
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