|
Morocco: Info Needed PLZ:
TV options are actually pretty good but previous posts are correct, the amount of English content is directly proportional to the size of the satellite dish.
The easiest option with a normal sized dish is the channels on Nilesat (Fox movies, Fox series, MBC 4, MBC 2, CNN, BBC World, France24 in English, Euro News). The Dubai based digital system Showtime also runs off this satellite but you will need to pay a monthly subscription for that.
The British Sky digital system is available BUT you need a huge dish and you have to pay in the UK for the bouquet. Monthly fee is quiet pricey - 60odd pounds I think. The free UK channels can also be picked up on Astra but at least a 1.8m dish is required (BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, ITV2, Sky News).
I must admit that I don't know anyone who picks up any US channels directly from the US, so I cant give any advice. All I will say is that I would expect a really large dish is required. That said however, the guys down at Derb Ghalef in Casa are very 'creative' when it comes to all things satellite and if it is available they will know how.
I use this website - it gives information on ALL flying satellites and exactly what it transmits and its geographical footprint. It will also take you to a weblink per channel and bouquet to understand payments and such.
www.lyngsat.com.
Morocco: GDS:
Quite the contrary Moonshadow....
I refer you back to gen123's first post - the one which sparked my question, and the one that she very kindly (and eloquantly) answered. I forget the exact wording but I believe it was something along the lines of 'her self esteem being massacred'. Doesn't sound all hunky-dorey to me? Perhaps that's the way it must be - a woman should arrive and feel like that, and then hope it gets better? Sounds like an odd way to be happy no?
Why on earth would I want to make trouble for her?? I am merely questioning the logic and the process. But you all claim to have fantastic lives, so good luck to all of you, and gen123, I truly hope it all picks up soon and you get to the apparent Nirvana that the other posters seem to have found. Am sure they'll rally around you when you need them to boost your self esteem again.
I shall get on with my life thank you Moonshadow. Good idea indeed.
...just mind those blinkers ladies...
Morocco: new to casablanca:
gen123....I need to ask a question to satisfy my own curiosity. Of course, it's your choice to answer or not, but nevertheless...
Having lived here for 3 and half years, with an understanding of life here, I am always very very curious as to how people end up here and why they end up here. Now, let me say this to start, it's impossible to control the fate of our lives, so I understand that people follow their hearts to the ends of the earth. However, this is not the first time that I have been amazed as Western woman give up their independant lives to come and live in Morocco. Actually it seems that majority of the contributors to this forum are either British or American women who have married Moroccans......not typical expats who are on contractual assignments.
I can appreciate that in time you will learn the language and get used to the life but is it all worth it? Not being understood, removed from your own culture, unable to function independantly, unable to work, totally dependant on your partner and his family, and literally at the beck and call of that partner. I have to admit that my first reponse to your DH would be: 'if you don't like it go to MacDonalds or cook your own food mate!'
Was this your dream in life? To end up in a place where no one understands you with a feeling that your (quote) 'self-esteem is being massacred'?
Again, this is to satisfy my own curiosity so please don't feel pressured to answer me/...
Morocco: Jobs in Casablanca:
Without any French or Arabic, the only places that you may be able to get work are at one of the international schools, or perhaps a multinational company. Of course, both will depend on your experience in the relevant fields.
Let me say this however - I urge you to really really think about your move carefully. Casablanca is expensive, English is hardly spoken, and life in the average Moroccan world can be quite tough as a foreigner
Granted I don't know you or your fiance from a bar of soap, but remember that life will be totally different from where you are coming from - in all aspects. Life as a woman in a Moroccan family in Morocco will be totally different to what you are experiencing now.
Morocco: 10 Tips for Living in Morocco:
I am an expat in Casablanca and I feel it's a duty to shed some light here.
Ten things?
1) DO NOT COME HERE WITHOUT A JOB...unless you are married to someone who has a d*mn good one!!
2) There are two ways to live here as a foreigner - either as a contracted expat, or not. The difference, of course, is being paid to be here or not.
3) Having a car is (in my opinion) absolutely vital. Taxis here are a joke and busses are horrid - the standard of driving is attrocious. You can expect to be constantly crowded and jostled. May be fun to start off, but the novelty will wear off quickly.
4) English is a 3rd language if you are lucky so without support from a company, expect to struggle a lot as you get to grips with Arabic (not easy btw) and French. Nothing is in English...nothing!! The signs at the airport are the last smattering of English you will see...I assure you!
5) There are no English schools unless you are prepared to pay private school prices. I have two kids and they cost about $10k a year in the American School. The French schools are difficult to get into as well.
6) Accommodation is very expensive if you have dreams of living in a Moroccan villa. Apartment living varies from very plush to very 'un-plush'. You get what you pay for, so you need to understand what you can afford, and also really make sure that you get good advice on areas to live in.
7) Cost of Living is high, especially if you intend on shopping in supermarkets. Having said that though, markets are abundant and affordable.
8) Entertainment in Casablanca is limited to restaurants and nightclubs. There are some really good reastuarants but not cheap. There are no malls in Casablanca.
9) Did I mention that nothing is in English?
10) My final point is this - while my list may appear to be negative and one might ask, 'why on earth are you here?'.....the point is that living here without a decent salary is not pleasant. My family and I love it here, truly love it, but that's because all of the above is within reach and accessible.
Morocco: Sending money:
a) you have to be foreign.....and b) you have to have a convertable account
Morocco: SimplyMorocco.com:
Simon
Honest feedback?
I suspect your site may be one of many that do the same thing so I would challenge you to understand how exactly you are going to be different. The addition of the radio audiostreaming is novel, I'll give you that. I am curious as to the exclusion of the major centres on your site - Casa, Rabat, Marrakech, Agadir, Fes, Tangier, this list goes on....or is this a deliberate move?
I assume that a LOT more information still needs to be added in terms of content?
I would urge you to find a point of uniqueness somehow.
gds
Morocco: Cost of living in casablanca:
Which American School have you been employed by?
Morocco: Thinking to move to Morocco..your input is appreciated:
Although I have no experience in the hotel industry, I can tell you that there are several upscale hotels that, no doubt, only hire people with the prerequisite hotel skills and experience.
As for coming to Morocco and then finding a job? Not so sure about that. The large chains operate here - Hyatt, Sheraton, Novotel, Hilton to name the few that I know of. Surely your best option is to approach those groups in Canada and enquire about local positions in Morocco?
I spoke very little French but came here with a large english multinational corporation. I need no French in my working environment although day to day life has required my family and I to learn the basics. However, I think to search for a local position in Morocco, one would struggle without French and Arabic.
Suggest you try www.michaelpage.com in terms of a job site.
Morocco: Any advice please ! ?:
Andy
Would suggest that you check out the site below.
http://www.century21.ma/immo/accueil.php?clangueurl=en
I am not sure how it works to set up a business, or what you plan to do. I would guess that, ideally, you would want to be fairly clear on that in terms of partners and the like?
In terms of where - Casablanca is probably your best bet as it is the commercial capital of the country. Rabat is also an option.
Banking - once you have your work permit and your ID card, that's no sweat at all. I use CItibank and BMCI here and they are great, although forex control is strict so you need to make sure that you have access to cash outside of Morocco.
gds
| |
Login to Contact gds
About gds
