rugbymummy

Oh and forgot, had to pay a year up front which company will do, for 1300/month could have paid in 3 or 4 cheques!

OriginalSunshine

yup - one thing in Muscat - if you see an opportunity, don't dick around - grab it.
whether that's a house, a car, a housemaid, or ready made fondant icing.

Debowing

Still at the hotel...One day, I will get to see the family accommodations that they have rented for us...One day, meanwhile the hotel has a nice pool and gym and the food is decent...and co. pays for it..

OriginalSunshine

which hotel? PM me
might see you there as we are going into one next week as we pack up

jinoman

Thanks OS & RM, we have decided to one of the company villas at least for one year and then there after we will see the progress and experience to give ourselves another chance to make a decision.

For the school transport, we are looking at a transport that the school linked us to but they were very clear that the school doesn't get involved in any of the transport issues, so that is a bit worrying as well, nevertheless have asked him to come around our place to next week to discuss.. thanks OS for the driver offer but will shout if I need it.

went around to the local al fair this eve and got a few contacts for some nice cars ,will query tomorrow

jinoman

Interesting info about the license tactics, does it really work that way? I thought they are pretty strict here, ie not in terms of driving but accepting bribery? may be I'm not fully aware of the system here...

So, booking in advance until one passes a test is more attractive for the instructors and so will make that extra effort to convince the examiner I suppose?

OriginalSunshine

jinoman - live life now. choose a villa, make it yours, suck up it's deficiencies, celebrate it's good things; don't live for next year or you will never settle. your choice though.

you've seen the driving here - wait until you meet parents of the schools. the schools naturally stay well out of logistical nightmares - think over privileged shit don't stink parents who demand the world, won't accept flexibility, but will demand flexibility if little Ashram doesn't get the bus to wait 30 minutes for him to finish his chess club. also, the quality of bus driving here is appalling - there was a multiple fatality for one of the Indian school bus about 6 months ago. again, the school stays well out. sure, take the bus. give me a shout if you want, but I'm incommunicado coming soon. well, whatever. your choice.

if you wait to query about the nice cars in al fair, the good ones will have gone. call, make contact, book a time to meet at the al fair.

please - bribery and wasta is everywhere. accept it, work with it or around it.

if you got 400 omr for 6 hours work, or you could get 60 omr per hour until the person passes their test, what would you do?

Debowing

the one near the BAHJA mall at seeb on the other side of the intersection...

OriginalSunshine

ok - you won't see me there I'm staying up in Shatti.....

Debowing

Shatti is upmarket dude...anyway we just moved to a fawlty towers type shared villa also in Seeb, till we can hopefully move to our apartment block..

OriginalSunshine

That's me darling. Wouldn't settle for anything less. Could have chosen Chedi if I'd wanted, but bit boring for kids iykwim.

Temp accom sounds "interesting" hope it works out. Do you have school going kids?

Debowing

Yes my son is 3 years old and I think I should register him with a school for the future...

OriginalSunshine

Omg! Errr. yes. Mine were registered at the BSM at 1yr old and 2yr old. Your 3yr old May find there is already a waiting list for Nursery from age 4.
Saying that if you are Athaibah way, then Royal Flights is a better option. But get him registered ASAP.

Debowing

I wanted to register him at American International School, because my Mum used to be a teacher in the Cyprus branch and it seems that she has the wasta in AIS.

OriginalSunshine

TAISM.? That's an American system obviously, but it is fundamentally a very different education compared to uk, Europe, Scandinavia, Australasia.