Citroen Xsara Picasso

We got our car this week that's why we've been very busy! It's a Citroen Xsara Picasso.

Company Accomodation

Here are some photos of where we live now. Quite big for a family of 3 isn't it? This would cost more than 10,000Sr/month to rent.

Finding Housing in Qatar

Before we left for Doha, Qatar 3 weeks ago, I’ve been busy looking at the situation with regards to housing as I’ve read that prices for flats, apartments, villas and compounds are rising at a ridiculous pace. I went to forums, emailed people from Doha and read a lot of newspaper ads. We can still stay at the company provided housing for 3 months but the situation with housing is a bit daunting so we decided that we should look for housing the moment we get a bit settled. I’ve lived inside a Compound in Saudi Arabia and the rent was just about SR 3750/month. You get a house with three rooms, big kitchen, sitting area, a lawn and have access to a pool, tennis courts, gameroom, and gym. You could also opt to stay at a flat without the amenities for 1/3 of that price. In Bahrain, a 2 bedroom flat could cost you SR 1700/month or if you want the amenities of living in a condominium style building, you can pay SR3500 for a good one. Villas would cost you around SR5000. We called agents who advertised flats and villas this week hoping that we could find a flat that suits our taste and budget. Mavis called and set appointments for the viewing of the place being advertised. Day 1: We were scheduled to meet with 4 agents each with a place to show us. We were actually lucky to meet Mr. Salama, a driver for Karwa Taxi. He’s actually from Palestine but has spent 40 years of his life here in Qatar so getting to the places that we had to go to was not a problem. We paid him 50QR for 1 ½ hours. First stop was in a compound which is incomparable to where we live now. The villas looked old and the vicinity itself seemed uncared for. But we had to see the flat for ourselves and there goes our first major disappointment. The flat is really old, unclean and for the asking price of 5000QR/month, it definitely was not for us. Second stop was yet in another compound. On our way to the building where the flat was, we passed by the children’s pool. There were so many kids swimming in a very small pool, which reminded me of kids having a bath in a small puddle of water after it rained. We also got a glimpse of the basketball court which was missing one ring. This flat although a bit better than the first one still didn’t pass our standards. So off we went to the next appointment. This time it was in a new building at the heart of Doha. It was fully-furnished 2- bedroom flat. Having seen the first 2 flats, we got overwhelmed with it, and thought that this was the place for us only to realize later that night that the rooms were a bit small and decided not to get it anymore. Day 2: Mavis had to make more calls that day and made appointments that same afternoon for the viewing of the properties. This time “the old airport area” our destination. Luckily Mr. Salama was with us again. First major disappointment of the day was this very old, dilapidated house. Looking at it from the outside, you get the feeling that you shouldn’t go inside anymore but then again we were already there so we might as well take a look at it. The moment the guy opened the door, we knew that our hunch was right all along. This house was unbelievably unlivable! After the viewing Mavis and I were telling each other that we won’t live there even if we get paid. It’s not even fit for a pet to live in and the asking price, QR 4200! Darn owner! The next stop lifted our spirits. The flat had 2 bedrooms, 2 baths a good-sized kitchen and a well-lit (naturally) sitting room cum dining room, in a new building. We can choose to have it furnished for 5500QR per month or just leave it as is for 300QR less. We actually liked it already at that very moment but we still had one appointment and thought it best to see it first before we decide on anything. So off we went to a fully-furnished flat for 4500QR. It was fine but we agreed that the other one was better. We got home, thought it over and came up with a decision to get the flat already. I called up Mr. Nasser (guy in-charge) and had to finalize everything before we lose the chance to get the flat. That same night he came bringing the contract with him. Mavis and I were so glad to finally get a place for us.

Iqama, CPR and RP

It's called Iqama in Saudi, CPR (forgot what it means) in Bahrain and RP (Residence Permit) in Qatar, but basically, it ' s what allows you to stay and work in the country that you're in.

Updates

Updating my blog has become a slow and lengthy process. Since the shift to Qatar, I found less time to actually write and update my blog. For one, my laptop was hit by a virus and/or a worm. I think I installed an app that has malware and when I connect to the internet, after about 5 minutes, surfing comes to a crawl. Or worse, the whole system stops. I tried the latest anti- virus, about 5 anti-spyware programs and all detected a virus and/or a spyware program which they said they deleted and fixed but I doubt. I still encounter the same problem when I connect to the Net. My Windows installer is still with the cargo that is in Bahrain so I can not format my Windows drive. For now, I have to make do with typing any email or updates to my blog in a text document and then connect to the net and do all my stuff before everything halts.

Malls in Qatar

We’ve been to the following Malls in Qatar: 1. City Center Doha (CCD) – This is said to be the biggest Mall in the Middle East for now (a bigger mall is being built in Dubai and to be completed next year). Having 4 floors, it has the Carrefour Supermarket, Home Center (furniture), Qtel office, Shoe Mart, Benetton, Splash, Debenhams, Jumbo Electronics, Adams, Mothercare and other high-end shops. They have an ice skating rink, a Water Park for Kids, an amusement center and more than 10 cinemas. In comparison to Seef Mall in Bahrain and Rashid Mall in Khobar, it is indeed quite large. Although SM Mega Mall in the Philippines is twice bigger. You can get around CCD and see everything in less than 30 minutes. They say groceries are cheaper here than the 3 below but probably by a riyal or less. If you’re looking for home furniture and furnishings, you can go to Home Center. It is a bit cheaper here than IDdesign (The Mall) and The One (The Landmark). You have Jumbo Electronics which carries the LG brand, from aircons, televisions and sound systems (they have Yamaha and my sought-after Harman Kardon receivers). Carrefour also sells cameras, phones, PCs and other electronic items. Among the 4, you can see a lot more here. 2. The Mall – The smallest among the 4. It has 2 floors, although the 2nd floor is less than half occupied. You basically have 3 small shops on the second floor and IDdesign. They have Mango, Gulf Greetings, Mothercare, CK, Oasis, Milano, Fuji Image Service and other shops which aren’t that big nor well-known. They have Qmart supermarket, which is the smallest but has a lot of imported goods from the West. They also have cinemas here and would soon have a Chilis restaurant. The Mall is close to the Lulu Hypermarket. 3. Lulu Hypermarket – Having 2 floors, the ground floor has the big Lulu Supermarket and the second floor has the Lulu department store. The department store has unbranded clothes for men and women, infants and children, toys, school supplies, baby items, and electronics and appliances section. They have a perfume section though I can’t comment on the prices as we haven’t tried asking the shops in the other malls. They also showcase a lot of television brands on their floors. I noticed that the Panasonic prices are 1000 to 1500 riyals cheaper than in Bahrain and Saudi. I saw a 29”Digital Progressive TV for 1999 Riyals. But Mavis is interested with the 34” Samsung Digital TV. They also have a Qpost Station for your snail mail needs along with a Qtel office for your telephone (landline and wireless) needs. 4. The Landmark – The Landmark has Bang and Olufsen (Electornics), Jennyfer, Music Master (Cds and DVDs), Mango, Esprit, Massimo Dutti, Godiva Chocolates, Mothercare, Milano, Mexx, Nine West, Osh Kosh B’gosh, Sisley, The BodyShop, The One, Benetton, Zara and other well-known shops. They have a Qtel Station where you can pay your bills. They have Mega Mart as their supermarket. They have a food court and a big amusement park. In all, City Center almost has everything that you could need but it depends on specific shop or service that you are looking for. I don’t know if they have a Qpost in CCD. Also, CCD is quite far from the other malls as the other mall are just like 5- 10 minutes away from each other. There are probably 2-3 other small malls that we have not gone to yet. Also, we’re looking forward to going to the local shopping centers (souks) once we get our car next week.