Condition of House in Al Barsha, Dubai, UAE, as of Friday, August 13 , 2010
I contact the Landlord representative everyday for update as to when help will arrive!! As of this date the same reply is today (until 1:00pm when I call him again, because he nor anyone else has showed up) and his comment changes, to ¨tomorrow¨. It is now 9 days and very little has been done.
Late this afternoon the contractor arrived. He tried to find the gas cooker´s gas connection. When he could not locate the gas line he told us one must be drilled through the exterior wall to the outside of the house, and a copper line from there would or could be fed to the stoves location. Late a cover would be made to house the gas tank.He said he will be here first thing in the morning. I won´t hold my breathe as to whether this will actually happen.
Before I forget let me include the contractor told us when he replaced the water pump in the yard and maybe the roof pump too, that the water pressure would improve. No date was given as to when this was to take place. As of this date water is a trickle. To fill kitchen sink (small) it takes about 6 minutes. I must comment it is still better than none at all. We can flush the toilets now.
Today Erik installed hanging rods in all of closets in all bedrooms
I unstopped the toilet on the first floor with plunger
Bought light bulbs for indoor fixtures and installed
Improved water pressure, found blown fuse to water pump on roof
Erik installed washer and dryer in Maid´s room
Turned off air conditioning in Maid´s room (which is currently our wash room)
Welcome to Dubai,
Inshallah till tomorrow
Condition of House in Al Barsha, Dubai, UAE, as of Saturday, August 14 , 2010
As suspected no one arrived to fix gas cooker. However, contractor did call and say the gas man would be over tomorrow. We´ll see.
We awoke to running water this morning. Not full pressure but much more than drips.
Dryer to high amp for maid´s room, landlords representative promised to have line run to support higher amp.
Welcome to Dubai,
Inshallah till tomorrow
Condition of House in Al Barsha, Dubai, UAE, as of Tuesday, August 17 , 2010
Things have not changed much. Water pump went completely out Sunday. New pump and fuse were to be installed today, but as always did not happen. Electrician will come at 5:30 am to install tomorrow. We will wait and see. In the mean time Erik and I are bathing with drips of water, dishes and laundry are not getting washed and chaos has ascended upon us again. On the bright side the air-conditioners are working. However, the oven is on the blink no power. Oh well, we hope the microwave hangs in there?
Gas man called today, maybe the stove will work by tomorrow too.
Welcome to Dubai,
Inshallah till tomorrow
Condition of House in Al Barsha, Dubai, UAE, as of Saturday, August 21 , 2010
Woke up this morning to what I thought was going to be and uneventful day. Erik went into the office for a few hours and I thought I would sleep in. Didn´t of course. I decided I should call the phone company to inquire why after a week I still had no response as to when our service would be turned on. I called and was told that I would first have to apply, which I did last Sunday! They had no records, so I should return to the location where I believed I had opened the account, and speak to the representative whom I had spoken to. Ok, when Erik came home I jumped in the car and went back to the Emirate Mall where I had filled out a complete set of documents, which included copies of visa, employment contract, lease agree from villa, Erik´s entrance stamp in his passport, and a document of power of attorney allowing me to represent us! They sent me to there main office who had nothing. I guess I will never have a phone or internet again!! Left telephone company in tears, must return again tomorrow with complete set of documents which I have already given them twice!
Electrician came to work on stove, took electronic-al part and left. He said,`Tomorrow, It will work. Looked at dryer in maid´s room and admitted we needed larger amp, but was not sure when he could get us a connection. He told me someone would come and install the dishwasher, maybe tomorrow?
Erik installed the dishwasher. It is working, however it is only temporary. It is very nice not to have to hand wash dishes, but I still have to semi-wash due to the fact that the dishwasher is on the other side of the room from the sink!
Welcome to Dubai,
Inshallah till tomorrow
Condition of House in Al Barsha, Dubai, UAE, as of Sunday,
22 August , 2010
Today the pool and grounds contractor arrived around 11:00 AM assured me that the drive would be finished soon, pool to follow completion in 40 days. He fixed the gate by spraying d5w in all the mechanisms on the lock. The d5w can was missing the spray attachment so he got a huge screwdriver from his van to jam in the top of the can it worked shooting d5w 3 ft in the air in all directions but the holes he was aiming for, including all over me!! I have to admit though it did work. Gate lock now functions perfectly, but a little gunkie. He even oiled up my keys which took me some time after her left to de-oil them. All is well my keys are clean and the gate door locks. Workmen explained lock was installed upside down? Doesn´t make any since but,¨who the hells cares as long as it works¨!
Landlords Representative call and was suppose to come to the house at 1:00 PM,
didn´t show until 2:30 PM. He then stood outside with the pool and grounds contractor for another 30 mins., until I joined them outside. They were arguing where to put the permanent washer and dryer connection. In this heated conversation they argued between the maid´s room, outside the kitchen door in the sun, or a separate building in which we were promised the wash room would be built. In the end we all agreed to the maid´s room. I was told we had to pay for the labor of this endeavor. Then the yelling started again. From the washroom subject we move to a decision about the dishwasher, which Erik connected. Presently, it is connected across the room from the kitchen sink and running the hoses out of a hole in the sliding glass window that is missing the lock mechanism.
Electrician still has not returned with part to fix oven.
Welcome to Dubai,
Inshallah till tomorrow
Condition of House in Al Barsha, Dubai, UAE, as of Monday 23, August , 2010
Today the pool and grounds contractor delivered cinderblocks and bricks? I sent my first good day of semi-normalcy in our new home.
No workmen came today, just delivery.
Paddy and I were outside off and on all day. He still cannot tolerate the heat very long. Of course since there is no grass to cover the sand he has a 12,000 sq. ft. cat litter box! The sand is everywhere. Needless to point out that every time he goes out he brings in a little extra hidden in his paws and fur.
Uneventful, until Erik came home.
We had what seemed like a normal evening going. Nice dinner and Erik helped me clean the kitchen. Mistake number #1. He cleaned the gas stove, took off the grid covering, mistake #2 (never let a man help you in the kitchen he doesn´t know.) We adjourned to the living room for some light conversation. I went back in the kitchen to refill my soda when I realized there was a sickening smell. I called Erik and we tried to find out where the smell was coming from. I out of pure luck looked at the stove and realized the gas was on, and had been since dinner. We open up the back door and crossed our fingers we would not blow up while airing the house free of gas. The smell is not the same as gas back home is smells more like a decaying dead body.I assumed the blame until I realized he was the last one fooling with the stove. Upon closer inspection we learned there was no safety precaution built into the stove to warn of leaking gas. And far worse, the stove turn on eye valves just spun around and gas pours out with no detection what so ever.
What can I say another day in Dubai!
Welcome to Dubai,
Inshallah till tomorrow
Condition of House in Al Barsha, Dubai, UAE, as of Tuesday 24, August , 2010
To my surprise the pool crew showed up at 8:00 AM. Cinderblocks are being used to create the side walls of the pool. Workmen moved 3 blocks at a time in a wheelbarrow. Another man stood in the bottom of the pool and received the block in the bottom of the pool by dragging them across a wooden board to the bottom of the pool. Then another workman was laying them in place. They worked until 6:00 PM when there driver picked them up. It will take them 35 more days to complete this pool. A job that would be complete in Europe or the USA in 1 week. It has been an experience watching their progress. I now understand how the Egyptians built the pyramids. Cheap labor with sticks and stones.
Still no oven. Hope someday the electrician will come back. In the mean time I wait, but not so patiently!
Welcome to Dubai,
Inshallah till tomorrow
Condition of House in Al Barsha, Dubai, UAE, as of Wednesday 25, August , 2010!
Telephone cable men pulled lines into the house today maybe phone and ADSL will be connected by Sunday?
Thursday, Iftar party at hotel for work , I got sick?
Friday, maids came, erik went to look for car
Saturday, we went to look for car
Sunday, Telephone man came and hooked up phone and it actually came on. maybe no ADSL due too crowed in area, must have satellite from roof, man to come soon to install
Monday, went to phone company to pick up router for ADSL or for disk for wifi came home and found phone dead, telephone cancelled service for both phone and ADSL!!
Tuesday, back to phone company to reapply for service that was cut off on Monday. As of now 9:30pm we have land line service again but still no computer.
Condition of House in Al Barsha, Dubai, UAE, as of Tuesday, August 31 , 2010
Pool progressing, drive almost finished. Big improvement. Telephone land line is finally connected, but still no cable as yet. Landlord representative was to come today to look at progress and fix some of the problems but did a no show.
Condition of House in Al Barsha, Dubai, UAE, as of Saturday, September 25 , 2010
As of this date the following has still not been addressed. Last week one of the three light post in the front yard fell down. When Erik checked it he found there were no screws to hold it together so it fell over. The other 2 are probably in the same shape. Now we have no lights in front of house due to pole falling and shorting out fuse? Landlord representative was here when I found pole down. That was a week ago. He promised to get help that day but as has been the case from the beginning nothing has been done. No water in sink in master bath, water pressure non-existent. Landlord representative tried to fix pressure but made things worse, now there is no water at all in the sink in master bathroom!
The kitchen has continued to deteriorate. Which once was only a leak is now running out on the floor. Last week I noticed that when I wash dishes water runs from under the sink to drain on floor. When I cleaned up flooding i realized it was running out of the drain pipe at the inner wall. Called landlord representative who as of today has not addressed this issue. I now know where the stink smell is coming from.
Condition of House in Al Barsha, Dubai, UAE, as of Saturday, October 2, 2010
It has been a week since my last entry, little has changed. Erik found that in Master bathroom the toilet is connected to the hot water heater. Today I finally got enough water pressure to take a bath in the master bathroom, however it ceased literally when I turned on the hot water in the tub? Now once again there is no water pressure in the tub? Light post is still down in front yard. No plumber or electrician has arrived as of this date.The following are still out standing problems and a few new ones!!
Pool is basically complete except for the plumbing and electric. Still a virtual construction site.
The kitchen stinks. Water still running down wall where plumbing is not connected properly. It is a everyday chore to disinfect everything before going to bed.
The workmen have destroyed the fixtures in the maids room which they have been using since before we took over the lease. We have no keys to that door and we are afraid someone could break into the house from that room.
Have not received water and electricity bill as yet. The landlord agreed to pay water until construction is finished but we have our doubts that he will.
I contact the Landlord representative everyday for update as to when help will arrive!! As of this date the same reply is ¨tomorrow¨! Landlord agreed to pay water until construction is complete. we must wait and see. Construction crew is running water all day and using power equipment. Why does he think we should pay for his construction of his house, which was suppose to be completed by the time we moved in!! Now 2 months later very little has changed. I gave Landlord´s rep. a document regarding water bill which as of this date he has never signed. He did tell me landlord would pay water until construction is complete.
Condition of House in Al Barsha, Dubai, UAE, as of Sunday, October 10, 2010
Unbelievable week!!! Last Sunday I was promised by the Landlord´s representative plumber and electrician would be there today, didn´t happen however they did show up on on Tuesday. First they did fix the electrical problem in the kitchen. Oven now works, and lights in cabinet are not falling out any longer. Water is still running out down wall under sink. Plumber said could wait until tomorrow. Lavatories in 1st floor bathroom are now functional, but the hall light will also have to wait until tomorrow.
Broken light pole outside was taken down and electrical line taped off. Literally used packing tape and shoved the hot wires now taped together back into the bottom part of the pole which is still standing. Reset the fuse. Will replace pole tomorrow. No other repair done on outside lights.
Master bathroom was next thing they tackled.The toilet and the toilet shower are connected to the hot water heater, which has a switch that is reversed, so when it is turned off it is actually turned on. OCH! First they sprayed water every wheres to check the temperature. When it did not get hot the plumber simply stuck his hand in the toilet to feel the temperature. (No gloves!!)I tried to explain that I had turned the heater off when I realized how hot the toilet was, bowl and shower, but of course they do not speak english!!
I turn on water heater while they are tearing apart the faucets in the tub and sink which has had no water pressure since we moved in the house. Somehow they did fix that. Now heater has warmed up the toilet water and shower and they see the problem. They tear down the ceiling tiles and make even move mess to find they cannot do the job. Another plumber will have to come tomorrow to change out the pipes. Imagine they have now been in and out the house each time bringing in more sand stuck to there wet shoes. Once again I am living in the desert literally.
Lets now move to the guest bedroom behind the MBR where the toilet has been stopped up on and off since we moved in the house. First this nasty man who has still not washed his hands once again sprays water everywhere in this bathroom all over Erik´s toiletries and clean towels. Then in my horror begins to tear the toilet off the floor before emptying the bowl or it´s contents. He chips away at the base until it comes loose and then removes it entirely, running sewerage all over the bathroom floor and into the floor drainage. He and the electrician are now standing in sewerage water in bare feet because I finally got them to take off there shoes the last trip outside.
This did not bother them in the least the next thing they did was pick up the solid waste and put it in my bathroom trash can and give it to me to take out!! There were a few towels laying in the dirty clothes hamper which they used to soak up the liquid that was left. When it was semi dry I could see why toilet was stopping up. The opening on the floor was more than half filled with cement and the small opening that was left was not sufficient enough to flush solid waste without some back up. At this time the plumber tried moving the toilet in different positions, finally about 45 min. later he decided to re-cement the toilet and be finished, but he had no cement or tools for this. Now he is walking all over my house trying to decide what to do. I told him to go outside and get cement from the pool man and he tried but pool man would not give him the cement, so I then went outside and he did give me permission for the plumber to use his white cement. Plumber comes back outside commandeers a bucket and takes about 5 big scoops of dry cement in the dirty bucket he found and walks back in the house up the stairs to the bathroom and begins!!! He mixes the concrete in the bathroom sending concrete dust everywheres. Next he mounds up the concrete in a nice little levy and then sits the toilet on top of that. Of course while he was building this levy he was splashing liquid concrete all over the bathroom walls and floor!!!
Now, he is finished and I should not clean in there or flush toilet for 24 hours. Remember there was raw sewerage so the smell was unbelievable!! My house looks like a construction site. The plumber would like a clean towel so he can take a shower!!!!!!!!!! I now have dirty shitty towels everywheres, sand footprints up and down the stairs, in and out of my house and a plumber bathing and washing his sewerage ravaged clothes in my bathroom. Oh it 4:30 pm and Erik will be home by 6:00 pm. I must mention I have the flu and have had a high temperature since the night before..When erik came home I was still scrubbing my bathroom. I locked the door to his, that would have to wait another 24hours!!!
I finally get myself back under control. My bathroom is at-least clean. We are chatting about the day when erik ask if I heard water leaking?? I did we started looking and found that in the front guest room on the other side of the house the ceiling had collasped in one area over the toilet and was pouring out water. I had moved all my things in there after the fiasco earlier today so I could clean up. All my clothes are soaked, everything in this bathroom is ruined!!! Ok 11:30 pm call Landlord´s Rep.DRep he says first thing tomorrow. I tell Erik screw it!! Let´s go to bed, thank god we don´t own this dump!!!
Tomorrow is another day.
