My two Gremlins and I had our visas cancelled and are now processing the family sponsorship under the Father/ Husband. After our entry visas, we should either exit the country or pay the in-country change visa fees. Hearing some people doing the visa runs to the Hatta border (UAE- Oman), we decided of exiting the country by driving towards the border. We did so on Friday, but returned unsuccessful :-( . Filipinos did not have privilege for the visa run by the UAE border, this we learned later.

Apparently, we need a stamp from Oman, however based on Husband's previous travels, he would see fellow Filipinos unable to get a stamp. Also, we assumed that since I and the kids have no residence visas at this time, Oman may not grant us visa upon-arrival. So we decided to turn back. We actually reached the Oman border offices (to try our luck), but because Husband was avoiding the car procedures as well (and any possible hassle of entering Oman soil), we turned and drove straight back to UAE soil.

We could have researched first, yet it was an experience to call :-)

Anyhow, there was still respite for the day. We drove off-road before reaching the border and unexpectedly saw this small oasis. I thought next chance we are there, I will trace the water source. There were small fishes, bees, a pelican --  that for a hot weather and most dry land we see, this is refreshing for the eyes.

By around sunset, we were back at Lahbab. To reward the Gremlins for their patience on the long drive, we brought them into the sand dunes. By night, Husband switched the car lights. The surroundings were generally dark, hence the lights invited insects and even a white rat to where we were. We still had packed food so we had dinner under the clear skies where our Gremlin Girl pointed to the stars.

Being the under AED 100/ person buffet patrons, we found Filipino fare alternative for our Sumo Sushi Friday buffets -- at Lamesa restaurant at Asiana Hotel along Siddique Road in Deira. (Speaking of buffets, Thai Chi at Wafi is on AED 120 for two adults but on weekday lunches only. Kalel was free of charge. Please phone them to confirm if promotion is still valid.)


Friends frequent Lamesa for Karaoke nights and comedy shows, but I guess my family would settle for their brunches for the time being.

     --  Friday and Saturday Filipino brunches costs AED 69 an adult and AED 34 a child
     --  Above brunch includes unlimited water, iced tea and coffee and tea
     --  Buffet table includes a few sushi and a few Korean dishes
     --  Prior reservation is highly advised. Call +971 4 238 7777
     --  Venue carries a no-slippers policy
     --  Weekend buffets start at 11 a.m.
     --  Asiana Hotel is located between Reef Mall and Muraggabat Police Station
     --  Check other details from the website here

Many Kabayans hold their weekend celebrations here filling the venue so the need for reservations. Today alone there were four big groups almost occupying all of the restaurant. Someone hosting a baby shower even had a small round table in front with their tokens and cake on it.

Not as 'appetizingly' prepared, but better than nothing

Who said a sleeping Girl in a carrier can stop me from fixing my waffles?

For two straight days last weekend, we had lunch at Max's Restaurant located in Karama (at Spinneys along Bur Juman Mall). Does that mean we love it there? Of course we do.


I had always wished for a Filipino food chain / resto to make it big in the UAE which will also be patronized by even non-Filipinos. It would be an honour, because Filipino cuisine, especially when served with great presentation, do appeal to international taste.  I have a feeling Max's will do another Chowking, and even better. I mean Chowking has a good Filipino following and with branches now sprouting in different locations (albeit not yet in big malls, I wonder?)

We look forward for another Max's branch to open in Deira. If the franchisee indeed plans to close down Wild Ginger ( a favorite too) at Iconic in Deira City Center, I hope they put Max's in place as rumored. (update: Wild Ginger staff recently said it wont happen but the management is scouting for a location around Deira.; was told too that Max's is their group's highest performing foodchain this time)

I had atchara.

Here's a notification shared at PICPA Dubai and Northern Emirates' facebook page:

______________________

NOTICE TO ALL : NEW POLO DUBAI CONTACT NUMBERS

May we inform you of the new working contact telephone and fax numbers of POLO Dubai as follows:

          1) POLO Dubai (Labatt Office) Fax +9714-2207277
          2) OWWA (Welfare Officer) Fax +9714-2207400
          3) Pag-IBIG Representative Officer Fax +9714-2207221
          4) POLO-DUBAI (Main Trunk line with 3 lines) +9714-2207011, +9714-2207011

Likewise, our Internet connection has also been restored, POLO Dubai official email: dubaipolo@ymail.com and P.O. Box No. 4960 Dubai.

Thank you.

AMILBAHAR B. AMILASAN
Labor Attache

Just recently, I overheard two fellow Filipino colleagues here in Dubai chatting about the hassles they had in securing their OECs (Overseas Employment Certificate) from POEA back in the Philippines. Hence, when I saw below reminder from Dubai Polo being circulated, I thought of sharing it here:

REMINDER FROM Dubai Polo

Dear Sir/Madam:

This refers to the various email received by POLO and being circulated inquiring the new requirements of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) for our departing OFWs here in the UAE for their vacation leave to the Philippines.

Looking for the website of the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai?
Just head to:

http://www.pcgdubai.net/

For anything one needs from the consulate, it is quite helpful to check their website first then ring them for information before heading to their office. They are located in the "outskirts" of the city, and to be going back-and-forth more than twice for a single document is a real waste of resources. Be patient though if you try to ring them, it could take you ages to get through and if you are not lucky,you'll find the fellow Filipino on the other end un-helpful and un-friendly.

Ask yourself the following as you head there:

• Have you brought your complete requirements?
• Have you brought a map of their location?
• Have you asked the best route to reach them?

The website is not all-inclusive and downloadable forms may not be available, so it also pays to check other sites as well. In my search for the requirements for a Special Power of Attorney, I stumbled on xbambinax's post which I found helpful at http://www.bisayaexpats.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=62.

All the best on your visit to the Philippine Consulate here in Dubai!

( I am reposting this please out from my Facebook notes, dated 11th July 2009.)
Kagagaling lang uli namin tingnan ung bakanteng apartments sa Al Rigga.
Prime location, malapit sa metro station, at ung isa sa may lumang building ay mukhang hindi istrikto sa sharing. Nagmura na kumpara nung nakaraang taon. 80k dirhamo kada taon ang renta plus 5% agent's commission, plus 5% deposit na lang yung lumang 2 bedroom hall flat. Last year e 150k at 10% ang agent's commission.
 Hindi sya furnished kayat kailangan ulit ng sampung libo dirhamo para sa mga gamit bahay. Wala ring parking kayat si Forky ay mangungupahan din sa kabilang kanto.
Two cheques lang daw, ibig sabihin anim na buwan na renta ang paunang bayad. Syempre wala kaming ganung pera kayat sa walang patubuan na housing loan sa kumpanya kukuha (hmm, hindi lahat ay may ganitong pribilehiyo).Yung isa naman na bago ay mas maluwang, furnished kitchen, two full baths, may shared gym, shared swimming pool at parking, ngunit 130k dirhamo kada taon at bawal ang sharing. Dahil sa istrikto ay matagal ding hindi napupuno. Naabutan ng recession.


Nakausap namin ang dalawang pinoy na nakatira doon. ayon sa isa, bawal man ay nagshesharing pa din sila. ayon naman sa ikalawa ay kung di namin kaya ang bayad ay huwag na namin i-attempt na umupa. dahil daw napansin na maraming pinoy ang patagong nagshesharing ay nagkakaroon na rin ng flat inspection at paaalisin ang mga mahuhuli.


Hindi naman yung dalawang kuwarto ang kailangan namin ngunit ito ay dahil sa requirement para makasponsor for residency. Otherwise, ok na sana na umupa na lang ulit ng kuwarto para less hassle sa annual tenancy contracts. Bumabait na ang mga real estate agents. DAti pag natunugan ka na Pinoy e uunahan ka nang "not for Filipinos", o kaya'y "not for sharing". Ngayon ay alas-onse ng gabi eh dina-drive ka pa upang i-tour sa apartment/ flat.


Nakakasama man ng loob na may "not for Filipinos" ay di mo sila masisi kasi ang mga Pinoy ay mga likas na practical. Di bale na makipagsiksikan, makapag-ipon lang. Halimbawa, ang mga ibang lahi ay gagasta ng between 4k to 7k dirhamo kada buwan sa upa, ang mga pinoy ay mahal na ang isang libo dirhamo kada tao. Ngunit marami na ring pinoy ang nag-a-allot ng 1.5k to 2k kada tao kada buwan para sa upa, natutong iadjust ang budget para makatira sa mga hindi masyadong crowded.


Sa sharing, walang hall, kasi paupahan na rin. Kada kuwarto ay may 4-10 tao nagsisiksikan. Walang privacy. Sa iba pa nga ay mix ang lalake at babae. Ang mga paliguan ay pinipilahan o kaya'y by schedule. Sa pagluluto ay pila din. Sa sharing, ang mga kurtina, kahon, cabinet atbp ang ginagawang partition. Ika nga, parang nagbabahay-bahayan.


Ngayon na maraming nawawalan ng trabaho ay hindi na nagririsk ang mga tao na umupa ng mahal. Ang mga presyo ng mga paupahan ay unti unting nagnonormalize. Five years ago, ang two bedroom flats ay 50k. Nagtriple ito mid-last year at nagsimulang bumaba ngayong taon.


Ang mga nabanggit na scenario sa itaas ay specifically sa mga prime areas gaya ng al rigga. dahil sa mga medyo mas malayo ay iba naman ang kwento. mas mura ang mga upa, ngunit kailangan magdrive/ commute ng additional hours/ traffic kada araw makauwi lang. ang iba naman ay malayo sa mga malls, simbahan, parks, atbp.


... heto kami ngayon hindi pa decided kung kukunin ung flat. umaasa sa mga haka-haka na maraming mababakante pagdating ng August at magmumura pa, sa ganun ay hindi na kailangang magsharing. sana nga bumaba pa...