 |
San'a, Yemen
2008 |
|
The flight from Dubai to San'a may have been less than two
hours; however, despite the fact that both cities are located within the
Arabian Peninsula, the contrast between the two places could not have been
greater. In both cities' national museums, they sport photos comparing how the
cities look not, compared to the past. Dubai of course looks nothing like it
did some 30 years ago. In San'a's national museum though, the photos show just
how little things have changed since cameras were first invented. In fact, many
of the structures located within the walled old city are now over 400 hundred
years old, making San'a's sensationally preserved old city a UNESCO world
heritage site.
My hotel, the Felix Arabia was centrally located within
three traditional Yemeni houses overlooking a courtyard. Like in neighboring
Saudi Arabia, alcohol is difficult to find in Yemen. However, this problem is
alleviated greatly once one discovers the local's favorite vegetable, khat - a
stimulant which is chewed daily by Yemenis and found all over Yemen. One can
spend hours chewing on khat while exploring the labyrinth-like old city with
its many striking houses and shopping in the many souks. Perhaps the most
bustling of these souks is the Souk al-Milh, which runs from the old city's
main entrance Bab al-Yaman.
right: Bab al-Yaman, the main entrance
to San'a's old city |
 |
above: my hotel, the Arabia Felix Tourist
Hotel |
above & below: exploring old
San'a |
above: the National Museum in San'a |
above and below: exhibits found in the National
Museum |
That kid in the middle is looking a little
dangerous... |
Not as dangerous as this one though.... |
above: boy selling khat |
scenes from the Souk Al-Milh, where they sell, yep
you guessed it - khat |
|
