Real Posts Reports: Reviews of Life in Countries Worldwide http://www.talesmag.com/rprweb/the_rprs/mid_east/yemen.shtml

Yemen

Sana 'a : "Embassy trips were of moderate frequency, but the security escort (soldiers and trucks with 50mm guns) takes a lot of spontanity away. Travel without an organized group is possible, but takes some advance planning (and a diplomatic note to the government), and usually the government will still send an armed security escort." Read More.

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January 2010 Links: (The contribbutor is an educator and has been living in Sana'a for two years, a second expat Yemen pictures experience.) The Yemen Observer Where is your home base, and how long is the trip to post from there, with what The Yemen Times . US Embassy connections? I used to live near San Francisco. It takes us about 18 hours to get home. Kolodner Family Web Page , Lufthansa stops in Addis Ababa and Frankfurt. photos & Newsletters Yemen Map Pollution index? Moderate. Most cars and buses belch out exhaust, and getting stuck behind one Yemen Detailed Map is awful. On the other hand, the sky is blue most days of the year.

What is the climate like? Weather patterns? Cool and dry in the winter, warm and dry in the Reading spring and summer. It never gets very cold or very hot here. It rains a bit in the summer. Nonfiction: What kind of insect problems are there, if any? Our house and garden are very large, but we Yemen: The Unknown Arabia do have ants and cockroaches. You can get exterminators, though. I am not wild about someone by Tim MacKintosh-Smith spraying poison around where I eat and sleep, so we live with bugs. Motoring With Mohammed: Journeys to Yemen and the Security concerns? Where to begin. The US Government is now helping the Yemeni government Red Sea by Eric Hansen hit Al Qaeda training camps, and the battle up in Sa'ada against the Houthis grinds on. As of this Impressions of Yemen by writing, it is not easy to get out of Sana'a by car, but you can fly around fairly easily. Aden, Pascal Marechaux Socotra, and Mukullah can all be reached by plane. We have been advised to vary our routes and Eating the Flowers of times of travel when we drive around the city. But we are also not US Gov't personnel. We (my Paradise : A Journey Through husband and I) freely wander around the streets of Sana'a without too much trouble, or even the Drug Fields of Ethiopia and arousing all that much interest. Yes, we do get stared at as we are Westerners, and I don't wear Yemen by Kevin Rushby by

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an abaya or hijab. There isn't much in the way of street crime here, though, so you can walk at night and not worry too much. Pertti Hamalainen

Housing: Our housing is through the school. Most of us have nice houses, but a few singles and young married couples have apartments. Most people seem happy with their housing.

International schools: I teach at the QSI school in Sana'a, and both of my children also attend there. We have loved working here and are very pleased with the education our children are receiving. As the security situation has worsened in the last year, the school population is largely comprised of Yemeni students, with a handful of Europeans thrown in. The only American kids are the students of other teachers. There are other schools in the area, though, including a French and a British school. I don't know much about them.

Preschool/daycare available: QSI also has a very nice preschool. My kids are older so I don't have direct experience with it, but the families who I have spoken with are very pleased with the school. If you have younger children, Ethiopian guards and maids are easy to find and will happily watch your children. You may need to interview a few before you find what you are looking for, but if you persist you will probably be very happy with your childcare arrangement.

What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids? It depends on your child's needs. QSI only teaches in English, but we have a good Intensive English program. If your child has moderate to severe learning disabilities, all bets are off. I know of no school in Sana'a that has any sort of special education program.

Is this a good city for families/singles/couples? We have been very happy here. Yemen is a giant adventure, and we have found plenty to do. There are several single teachers at our school that are also doing well. It depends on who you are and how adventurous you feel. There are opportunities to meet other westerners if you like, or, as some of our teachers have, take up Arabic and mingle with locals.

From what you have heard, is it a good city for gay or lesbian expats? Again, it depends. Hand holding and affection between males is very, very common here. Not so much between women, though. But it is also a conservative Muslim country. If you were here with a partner, you would need to be very discreet, but I don't think the situation would be unmanageable.

Are there problems with racial, religious or gender prejudices? There definitely are tensions between Arabs and Africans, with Yemenis having a tendency to look down on the Ethiopian and Somali refugees flocking into the country. There are no Christian churches, but there are dozens of fellowship groups that meet in private homes. I have never heard of any Christians feeling discriminated against here because of their religion. On the other hand, I do have Christian friends who feel oppressed because of the call to prayer five times a day. It doesn't bother us much, though. It is a little hard being an uncovered western woman in Yemen. This is not Saudi---women do not HAVE to cover---but I get stared at quite a bit because virtually all Yemeni women are covered to some degree, including their faces. If you smile and wave, usually Yemenis will smile and wave back. I may be naive about this, but the idea of wearing all that black is really depressing, so I don't. That said, I am frequently invited (with my husband, of course) to join men lunching on the streets. I don't feel like the staring is hostile, just that I am an oddity.

What difficulties would someone with physical disabilities have living in this city? Well, the sidewalks are terribly uneven and the driving is insane. If you were in a wheelchair or had visual problems, you would probably be in serious danger.

Interesting/fun things to do in the area: Tons, really. When the security situation is not so severe, there is lovely hiking not too far from the city. Of course Old Sana'a is always good for a stroll and some shopping. There are interesting networks of people here that are meeting online more and more often. The British club is back open again, so if you have a friend with a UK passport you can join. My friend met a guy on Flickr and went off taking pictures around Yemen. There is an expat orchestra that is really fun. I have read all the negative "no bars, no cafes, no cinemas" about Yemen, and for the most part, that's true. However that doesn't mean there is nothing to do. It just depends on how creative you are.

Are gyms or workout facilities available? Yes, through the school and the hotels. The Sheraton and Moevinpick Hotels also have lovely pools.

Are sports programs available for kids? Yes, through the schools. My daughter also takes ballet with a local Ukranian dance teacher. You can take tennis lessons through the Sheraton.

What fast food and decent restaurants are available? Cost range? If you like shwarma and kebabs, this is the place for you. Delicious, and dirt cheap. Two favorite Yemeni dishes are salta and fahsa, which you eat with fresh bread. There are also lots of Yemeni restaurants on Hadda Street. Some of the best feature roast fish and bread. There is delicious Indian and Chinese as well. If you must, there is a KFC and a Pizza Hut. But they're expensive, and frankly, did you come all this way to eat crappy American fast food??

What is the availability (and the relative cost) of groceries and household supplies? Depends entirely on how western you need to eat. The produce markets are great and very cheap. Meat from local butchers is also reasonably priced. A kilo of ground meat is about $5.00. However, gigantic, fresh, cleaned shrimp are about $9.00 a kilo. A kilo of fish that is similar to grouper (called hamour in Arabic) is about $5.00. Fish is really your best bet here- it's as good as any you will find and the prices are great. There

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are a few western styled supermarkets. If you shop there, plan on spending more. Most household supplies are readily available, with one exception- laundry spray. Sometimes we can find it, sometimes not.

What comments can you make about using credit cards and ATMs? We almost never use either. This is pretty much cash only economy. You can get cash out of the international banks. We used our ATM cards once. It went okay---we got the cash AND the card back.

What type of automobile is suitable to bring (or not to bring) because of rugged terrain, lack of parts and service, local restrictions, duties, carjackings, etc? Buy your car here if you can, and go for a rugged Land Cruiser kind of vehicle. The roads are atrocious, and you will be happy with the high clearance. I have no idea about parts and repairs. Our car gets fixed at our school

Are local trains, buses, and taxis safe? Affordable? Yes! Taxis around the city are very cheap. Cheaper still are the little minibuses called " debabs ." You can ride just about anywhere for less than a dollar. Figuring out the routes requires some patience and some Arabic, though.

Do you have any recommendations regarding cell phones? Yes, get one. Then program in all of your friends who speak Arabic. Comes in handy when you are in a taxi and can't communicate with the driver. We have MTN for local service, and it's fine.

How do you get and send your letters and package mail? Well, we don't send anyone much of anything, so I have no idea. We receive mail through the school. Other people we know who are not connected to the embassy have PO boxes. There isn't house delivery service of your mail. I will say that it takes about 1 week to get packages from Amazon.UK, and they almost always arrive in good shape.

Items you would ship to this post if you could do it again? Ziploc bags. Good quality sunscreen. A repair kit for my cello!

Availability and cost of domestic help: We have a full time guard and maid that live on our compound. They do just about everything, including the cooking. That kind of help runs between $400 and $500 a month. You can get away with paying less, and we know people that do. It's up to you, though. The Ethiopians that are here are in a terrible situation, and jobs here for them are scarce.

How much of the local language do you need to know for daily living? I don't know much Arabic, and I do okay, although I wish I knew more. English is spoken, but not widely. You will find your social life will have more opportunities if you take the time to learn Arabic. There are several very good language schools here.

English-language religious services available? Denominations? They are available, but you will need to ask around. There are no churches here.

English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost? There are a few, but they are seriously awful. I read them to get some idea of what is going on, but then I just go to Google news and Al Jazeera. It is very difficult to get a clear picture of what is going on in this country. Journalists are having a hard time, and there isn't much of a free press.

Is high-speed internet access available? Cost? Yes, it is available. Our internet is included in our house package, so, both of our cell phones, our electricity, and our internet costs about $100 a month. We pay in one lump fee, so I am not exactly sure how it is broken down.

Size of expat community: Bigger than you might think, but you have to go looking for them.

Morale among expats: Tough one. I think it depends a great deal on why you came here in the first place. I know several expats who have lived here for many years- through the civil war, the US invasion of Iraq, and other disturbances and they wouldn't leave Yemen on a bet. They love it here, and truthfully, the place grows on you. We have certainly been very happy. However, I think I have only met one US Gov't employee that likes it here. In fact, I met one US Marine who told me that he liked Baghdad better than Sana'a. As school employees, we are fairly free to move around and do what we want. I think it must also be tough working in the Embassy here---there is no doubt it is a target. That can't possibly boost anyone's morale.

Are there decent job opportunities for expats on the local economy? If you are interested in teaching, I think you can find jobs easily enough.

Entertaining/social life: We spend most of our time with other teachers from the school, but, again there are other places to hang out in Sana'a.

Dress code at work and in public: Fairly casual at work, and it really is a good idea to dress modestly in public. I do go out with short sleeves, but never expose my legs (shorts and skirts are out of the question). However, some of the men I work with think nothing of running to the store in short pants.

Any health concerns? What is the quality of medical care available? The Saudi-German hospital is supposed to be very nice. A

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fellow teacher used it extensively when her son got sick. There is an excellent doctor who runs a women's health clinic, too. If you have anything really exotic wrong with you or require surgery, you will probably need to go to Dubai. We had a few cases of H1N1 at our school this year, and we all survived ok with local medical help.

Do incoming pets need to be quarantined? I don't think so. A friend brought in two cats last year, and I think they came straight home with her.

You can leave behind your: tank tops, mini-skirts, roller blades and bad attitudes.

But don't forget your: sense of adventure and waterproof sunscreen.

Can you save money? Absolutely!

What unique local items can you spend it on? Rugs and other crafts. Rugs can set you back- make sure they are actually Yemeni, though. Many are made in Pakistan and Iran.

Knowing what you now know, would you still go there? Absolutely. This has been the greatest adventure of our lives. We are in fact transferring out this summer, mostly because we are inveterate gypsies, but I wouldn't trade the time we had here for anything. Yemen is an amazing country with a serious PR problem.

Recommended books related to this city: Motoring with Mohamed , by Eric Hansen; Salmon Fishing in the Yemen , by Paul Torday.

Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city: A New Day in Old Sana'a.

Any other comments: Don't believe everything you read in the press about this country. Al Qaeda may in fact be here, but for all we know, Al Qaeda is everywhere. My experience is that the Yemeni people are for the most part, very friendly and are glad to have westerners here. Come see it for yourself!

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December 2007

(The contributor is affiliated with the U.S. Embassy and has lived in Sana'a for eight months, a second expat expreience.)

Travel time and best route from Europe or the US (check flight schedules with Expedia ): About 20 hours to DC. Lufthansa flies twice a week to Frankfurt. Yemenia flies to London, Rome, and Paris, although it doesn't always land on the runway or take off anywhere near the published times.

Pollution index? Good. I have never noticed pollution to be a problem.

Security concerns? Security concerns control every aspect of life here. When I first arrived, travel within city boundaries was completely open, and travel within the country took some planning but was available. Since then, however, I have spent almost 5 months total with differing degrees of security restrictions—including almost 3 months where USG employees were only allowed to go to their homes and to work. Al Qaeda is alive and well in Yemen. On a personal security note, I have frequently had rocks thrown at my car.

Housing: Apartments on the oil-company-run compound are smaller than most European apartments (less than 100 sq meters). However, there is a gym and a restaurant which have proven very important to me when security restricted all movement. The houses are, for the most part, huge and beautiful with nice, but small, yards.

International schools: No school-age children are currently allowed.

Preschool/daycare available: Expats with babies and toddlers have nannies and seem to be happy with them.

Is this a good city for families/singles/couples? Tandem working couples seem to be the most happy here. There are absolutely no bars, no clubs, no theatre, no cinemas, no dating outside the expat community, and for spouses who don't want to work at the embassy, there is nothing to do.

Is it a good city for gay/lesbian expats? No. Public displays of affection between heterosexual partners would draw unwanted attention, and I can't imagine how an openly gay couple would be treated.

Are there problems with racial, religious or gender prejudices? Yes, there is an amazingly high level of racism here, and if you are not Muslim your religion is not tolerated.

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What difficulties would someone with physical disabilities have living in this city? Every possible difficulty.

Interesting/fun things to do: Sana'a's Old City is beautiful but tiring. Wadi Dahar is within city limits and very interesting. However, the Old City has been off limits for a large portion of my time here, and we are still unable to go to Wadi Dahar, which is within the city boundaries. Traveling outside of Sana'a has been incredibly interesting but is very restricted, and I don't have high hopes that things will change much. The British Club has proven to be invaluable.

What fast food and decent restaurants are available? KFC (without the biscuits or mashed potatoes) and Pizza Hut are here. There are a few okay restaurants, including one very good Chinese place. I eat out a lot, more for something to do with friends than for the quality of the food.

What is the availability (and the relative cost) of groceries and household supplies? I was very surprised at the availability of Western products - although they are expensive (a small bag of Doritos runs about $5). Produce is dirt cheap. Butchers have zero sense of sanitation.

What comments can you make about using credit cards and ATMs? There are ATMs here, but I have never used them. I have not once used a credit card.

What type of automobile is suitable to bring (or not to bring) because of rugged terrain, lack of parts and service, local restrictions, carjackings, etc? Four-wheel-drive is a must. The streets in Sana'a are not well maintained, and during the rainy season they flood instantly and smaller vehicles are left abandoned in the middle of the rushing waters.

Do you drive on the right hand side of the road or the left? Both. There are no road rules at all.

Are local trains, buses, and taxis safe? Affordable? No trains and the buses are off limits to USG employees. Taxis are hit or miss, safety-wise, but always dirt cheap.

What is the best way to make phone calls back home? Skype if you are lucky enough to have internet at home.

Do you have any recommendations regarding cell phones? The embassy issues one to everyone. Radios don't really work here, so cell phones are a safety precaution.

If you don't have access to APO or pouch, how do you get and send your letters and package mail? Yemeni officials often hold up the dip pouch and open almost all incoming packages.

Items you would ship if you could do it again? BBQ and patio furniture.

Availability and cost of domestic help: My housekeeper is amazing and comes twice a week for $100/month. I've never met a women who works harder.

How much of the local language do you need to know for daily living? Arabic is essential, as almost no one speaks English.

English-language religious services available? Denominations? Yes, but they are held in unmarked buildings or in private homes.

English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost? There are two horrible weekly English newspapers. Orbit satellite television has about 10 English channels. AFN is available if you live in a house.

Size of expat community: Tiny. All other missions are a fraction of the size of the US.

Morale among expats: Very low. Even other Arabs seem to hate it here.

Are there decent job opportunities for expats on the local economy? No.

Entertaining/social life: All entertaining is done in homes.

Dress code at work and in public: Very conservative in public. Business to business casual at the embassy.

Any health concerns? What is the quality of medical care available? My biggest fear is having to have some sort of medical treatment. Folks are medevac'd for most things. Be sure that your medical plan has easy repayments for medevacs. I've heard nightmares about paying up to $30,000 out of pocket for medevacs.

Quality pet care available? No pet care is available.

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You can leave behind your: Short sleeves, tank tops, nightlife.

But don't forget your: 4-wheel-drive vehicle and booze.

Weather patterns? Weather is great here - very similiar to Southern California, although with even less humidity in the air.

Can you save money? Yes!

What unique local items can you spend it on? Jambiyas and scarves.

Knowing what you now know, would you still go there? No. The extra money is nice, but the general consensus among our associates is that tours should be one year and unaccompanied. The security restrictions make life miserable for all.

Recommended nonfiction related to this city: Yemen Chronicle: An Anthropology of War and Mediation by Steven Canton

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November 2007

(The contributor is affiliated with the U.S. Embassy and has lived in Sana'a for a year and a half, a fourth expat experience.)

Travel time and best route from Europe or the US (check flight schedules with Expedia ): Around 20 hours. Lufthansa flies here through Riyadh and Frankfurt. Yemenia flies to Europe, or not, as it pleases.

Pollution index? Moderate - some dust and agricultural burning, but not much industry.

Security concerns? Many. The only positive side is that there is basically no crime, at least none that affects expats. However, terrorism is a significant concern both inside and outside of Sana'a. Much of Yemen is basically a no-go area. Within Sana'a, there is a feeling that a major attack targeting expats is bound to happen.

Housing: Embassy and oil folks live in a combination of houses and apartments on a compound, all in the Hadda area. The houses can be huge and sometimes beautiful. The apartments are relatively small but adequate, and the compound has a gym and a restaurant.

International schools: There are a few. Right now, though, embassy employees cannot bring school-aged children.

Preschool/daycare available: I doubt that there's any quality English-speaking daycare. Maids help out parents of young children here, though.

Is this a good city for families/singles/couples? Maybe/no/no. For families with young children, it's cheap, and you may well have a large house. Also, as mentioned, househeld help may help with the kids (there are no qualified nannies). However, there is no place to play. or even walk. outside. For singles it is simply boring. For couples it is only slightly less boring, and if there is an accompanying spouse, they will probably grow to hate the employed spouse.

Is it a good city for gay/lesbian expats? No. Open displays of homosexuality would probably get you killed.

Are there problems with racial, religious or gender prejudices? Aside from non-Muslims generally being viewed as infidels, these problems don't affect expats much. Non-white expats get treated worse, though. African-Americans are looked down on, and Asian- Americans are mocked openly.

What difficulties would someone with physical disabilities have living in this city? Every difficulty imaginable.

Interesting/fun things to do: The old city is truly beautiful, but it gets 'old' pretty quickly. Wadi Dhahr—a local heritage site—is gorgeous and fun; but again, you can only go there so often—and sometimes not at all, depending on the security situation. Yemen is a beautiful country, but for security reasons, it can be hard to get out to do things; and facilities outside Sanaà and Aden are poor. In Sana'a, there are a few okay Asian restaurants, but that's about it. There's really nothing to do here.

What fast food and decent restaurants are available? KFC and Pizza Hut are here. Also, mediocre Thai, good but very authentic Chinese, a few good Yemeni places, and okay Lebanese and Korean.

What is the availability of groceries and household supplies? Groceries here are more expensive than we expected —significantly more expensive than Cairo, for example; especially imported goods. You can often get some version of most things, but stocks run out quickly and are not replaced.

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What comments can you make about using credit cards and ATMs? You can use your credit card at the Movenpick and Sheraton, but cash is easier. ATM machines exist, but I've never trusted one enough to use it.

What type of automobile is suitable to bring (or not to bring) because of rugged terrain, lack of parts and service, local restrictions, carjackings, etc? A Toyota SUV would be perfect. Toyota dominates the market, so parts are easy to come by. An SUV is necessary for the awful roads and even worse driving. There are lots of mechanics and replacement parts, but it is all of dubious quality. Cheap, though.

Do you drive on the right hand side of the road or the left? Whatever suits your fancy.

Are local trains, buses, and taxis safe? Affordable? No trains. Minibuses are hellish but almost free. Taxis vary widely in quality but are all affordable. There are some metered cabs that can be ordered, but don't count on one coming when they say it will.

What is the best way to make phone calls back home? Through your computer with Skype or Vonage.

Do you have any recommendations regarding cell phones? Get one while you're here. Some companies bill irregularly, so you may not get a bill for a year and a half, and then you will be asked to pay hundreds of dollars.

If you don't have access to APO or pouch, how do you get and send your letters and package mail? Make friends with someone who has access to APO or pouch. Oil companies have their own methods, I'm sure.

Items you would ship if you could do it again? A barbeque.

Availability and cost of domestic help: Easily available, and relatively cheap—around $10-15 per visit, maybe less if they come often. Most are Ethiopian and are generally trustworthy, but get one who has letters of recommendation.

How much of the local language do you need to know for daily living? English is very rarely spoken, although simple transactions—taxi, restaurants, shopping—can generally be done with some combination of broken English and body language. The more you speak Arabic, the more you can negotiate things. And negotiation is key here.

English-language religious services available? Denominations? In homes and Ethiopian churches.

English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost? We have two hilarious local weekly English newspapers. Satellite TV is available, but I don't know how much it costs - the Embassy pays for our subscription.

Is high speed internet access available? Cost? Kind of. As in: it's kind of fast and it's kind of available. Honestly, this is a major point of frustration, as you are forced to come in to the YemenNet office once every two months to renew your subscription. Usually, they've lost your information or it's closed, or the fax machine isn't working—there is no actual computer at the office. Then, when you pay (about $30 per month, I think), you go home and find that, instead of your subscription being renewed, it's been shut off. Yhen you have to start the two-week negotiation to get it turned on again.

Size of expat community: Relatively small. Probably a few hundred in Sanaa.

Morale among expats: Low. Like anywhere, it depends on your attitude. But this place is tough, and most people who are here didn't exactly search it out.

Are there decent job opportunities for expats on the local economy? No. Some teach at international schools, some find work with NGOs, but it's slim pickings.

Entertaining/social life: At home and at a few restaurants. There are a few parties at houses or embassies, but mainly it's just hanging out with your friends. People actually get pretty tight here, since there is nothing else to do. The embassy community is very clique-y, and you'll find people to both love and hate.

Dress code at work and in public: At the embassy it's not that formal, although most men wear ties. In public, modest dress is key, both for men and women. It keeps down the stares somewhat.

Any health concerns? What is the quality of medical care available? Everyone gets a little sick from time to time, but few people get very sick (i.e., from food poisoning). The altitude takes a while to adjust to, especially if you have heart or breathing problems. Medical care is actually better than might be expected, but I would get out ASAP if you need anything serious done.

Quality pet care available? Vet resources are minimal and definitely not trustworthy. No kennels.

You can leave behind your: revealing clothing, prissiness, and desire to have fun.

But don't forget your: umbrella for the rainy season, SUV, and nerve.

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Weather patterns? One definite bright spot. Other than two short rainy seasons (April-May and August-September), which are themselves pretty refreshing, it is about 80 and sunny everyday and 50-65 every night. A little colder in the winter, but it's basically perfect. Very, very dry, though.

Can you save money? It depends how often you need to escape to Dubai.

What unique local items can you spend it on? Crafts, antiques (very nice but very expensive). Lots of woodworking.

Knowing what you now know, would you still go there? No, not unless I had to—like I did.

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June 2006

(The contributor is affiliated with the U.S. Consulate and has lived in Sana'a for five months.)

Travel time and best route from Europe or the US (check flight schedules with Expedia ): About 21 hours is average, including all the transit time and stopovers. Best route is Lufthansa through Frankfurt. Be warned: Sana'a's airport lacks Western-style toilets and signage is deplorable.

Pollution index? Moderate to unhealthy. The climate is nice, but noxious emissions from old and badly maintained vehicles often ruin it. The air is very dusty at times.

Security concerns? Always in back of your mind are fears of terrorist attacks and kidnappings, although none have happened so far. There is very little street crime. It's a very conservative Islamic country, so native women are veiled and foreign women walking alone are stared at, may feel uncomfortable and overhear some comments. But I haven't known anyone who was threatened.

Housing: A mix of apartments and houses. There is some beautiful acrchitecture, even in private homes: stained glass windows and intricately patterned facades. Very nice. Commute time is 20-40 minutes; you must cross the entire city to get from most embassy housing to the embassy. The lawless traffic makes the commute stressful and dangerous. There have been many motor vehicle accidents in our community involving pickups, pedestrians, livestock, etc.

International schools: No kids of school age are posted here.

Preschool/daycare available: Private nannies, mostly.

What accommodations do schools at post make for special-needs kids? None. Post does not allow school-aged children at this time.

Is this a good city for families/singles/couples? For families with kids: it's dangerous for little kids play outside. For singles: it's lonely. Traditional arranged marriages are the norm in locaal society. Local women do not date expats -- it would dishonor her family. For couples: best of the three.

Is it a good city for gay/lesbian expats? I'd guess it isn't. Homosexuality is not accepted in this traditional soiety.

Are there problems with racial, religious or gender prejudices? There are few to no Christian activities, and those that exist operate with a very low profile. Local women seem very restricted, cannot eat with men in many restaurants or even at private social gatherings. Wives (even of your male colleagues) will not come to dinner with their spouses, even if specifically invited. Yemeni women on the street are covered and veiled with black abaya and hijab. (But often with jeans, cell phones and great clothes underneath). Western dress is tolerated---for Westerners only.

What difficulties would someone with physical disabilities have living in this city? Don't even try it. It's hard enough to avoid injury walking here if you are not disabled.

Interesting/fun things to do: Not much. Lots of private entertaining. No malls or theaters. There are beautiful ancient archeological sites, but you need a security guard (army guys in a jeep with a very big gun, arranged three days in advance) to visit them at this point in time.

What fast food and decent restaurants are available? No MacDonald's. One Pizza Hut and one KFC, and they are usually crowded with locals. Broiled chicken at street vendors is popular, cheap, and really good.

What is the availability (and the relative cost) of groceries and household supplies? Everything is remarkably inexpensive due to the poverty of the country as a whole.

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What comments can you make about using credit cards and ATMs? There aren't any. It's a cash society.

What type of automobile is suitable to bring (or not to bring) because of rugged terrain, lack of parts and service, local restrictions, carjackings, etc? The majority of cars seem to be Toyotas -- especially 4WD but lots of sedans too -- Carollas and Cressidas. It is allegedly easier to get parts for them than for other brands. Your car WILL get dinged and dented, count on it; so leave the shiny Lexus in your garage in Virginia .

Do you drive on the right hand side of the road or the left? Right, in theory, but some Yemeni drivers drive wherever they want, including the wrong way on divided highways.

Are local trains, buses, and taxis safe? Affordable? Minibuses and cabs are the only public transportation. They are in terrible repair and ride with the side door wide open. You'll find no seat belts in cabs. Most vehicles are old (and appear to be a in a remarkable state of disrepair) but amazingly keep on going. Yemenis must be excellent mechanics.

What is the best way to make phone calls back home? Callback service. International calls are quite expensive.

Do you have any recommendations regarding cell phones? They work quite well here. Yemenis are addicted to them, and with the poor land line service they are indispensable.

Items you would ship if you could do it again? Not much, you can get everything here. And evacuation has happened many times, so don't bring your dearest treasures.

Availability and cost of domestic help: Cheap and very good. I pay $150/month for three days per week. Due to poverty and unemployment, human labor for any task is very available.

How much of the local language do you need to know for daily living? This is the only country on the Arabian Penninsula where you really need Arabic to have any clue what is going on around you.

English-language religious services available? Denominations? Very few Christian services of any sort. I'm not aware of Jewish services either.

English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost? Cable has lots of English channels including CNN.

Internet access cost and quality: I use dial-up, which is really slow but very cheap. DSL is available, too, but it is so hard to get anything set up I just didnt bother with it.

Size of expat community: Quite small and insular at this point in time. Due to terrorist fears (justified or not) there is not a lot of elective travel here at present.

Morale among expats: Mixed. It's a fascinating culture to experience. The Yemenis are wonderful, and the country and architecture are striking. But there is so litle to do, and women are restricted -- they cannot take a walk without dredging up a partner. It just feels strange. It gets to you after a while.

Are there decent job opportunities for expats on the local economy? No.

Entertaining/social life: We are a close community and we pretty much entertain each other.

Dress code at work and in public: Business casual except for significant meetings when you need a suit. Women usually wear pants or long skirts out of respect for the local preference that women be fully covered.

Any health concerns? What is the quality of medical care available? Local medical care is not up to Western standards. Expect emergency care only, then get out of Yemen for the real fix.

Quality pet care available? Don't know of any. There are lots of stray dogs and cats which many people adopt.

You can leave behind your: short dresses.

But don't forget your: DVD player (actually you can buy it here) and lots of movies you like.

Weather patterns? Think of Santa Fe. The weather is the best feature of Sanaa.

Can you save money? Yes, the second best feature. There is a high post differential and 25% danger pay---and very little to spend it on.

What unique local items can you spend it on? Beautiful scarves at the awesome Suq. And the Yemeni Jambiya of course (a

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curved daggar that men wear at the waist, tucked into neat cumberbund).

Knowing what you now know, would you still go there? Not sure. On the one hand, it is hard, as a single woman to feel relaxed and walk around town and shop and just enjoy hanging out, which after all is why you like to go to foreign countries in the first place, right? On the other hand, it is a fascinating place and the people are just great---honest, natural, and sincerely devout.

Any other comments: This country has wonderful scenery, history and people. I hasn't gotten the publicity it deserves as a great destination. You should definitely see it.

Return to top

August 2002

By Michael Kolodner (Michael lived in Sana'a about six months and was affiliated with the US Embassy. He suggests that readers visit his website (http://www.kolodner.com ), "since that gives some of the story of why I might feel the way I do.")

Travel time to post from Europe or the US (check flight schedules with Expedia ): More than 14 hours of flying time. Usually people transit Frankfurt in order to fly United/Lufthansa, though flights on Yemenia can go via Rome, London, or Paris as well.

Average daily commute: 25-35 minutes each way, driving. An armored Embassy shuttle with armed escort is available. The trip is treacherous, in theory (due to threats of kidnappings and terrorism) and in practice (because Yemeni driving is incredibly dangerous). There are no rules on Yemeni roads -- NONE. Driving in Sana'a is more like dance -- you go where you are moved to go, taking into account the other people doing the same thing.

Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)? Unhealthy, but not horribly so. Sana'a's high altitude gives it a pleasant climate, but the cars and trucks spew enormous clouds of choking smoke.

Security concerns? First and foremost is the danger on Sana'a's roads. Then there are the traditional Yemeni kidnappings, which have declined in the last couple years. Finally, al-Qa'ida elements in the country. Petty crime, however, is virtually nonexistent.

Is housing predominantly apartments or houses with yards? About 40/60 apartments to houses. Few of the houses have true yards. They are built in the Arab style, with a wall around the house, creating a compound. It's the Yemeni preference to pave as much of the compound as possible. There are small (often lush) gardens or patches of grass, but not large yards. Embassy families with children are usually happier in the Hadda apartment complex, because it has a playground.

Despite a floor plan that is usually quite strange to non-Yemenis, the houses are all quite beautiful inside and quite large. Above all windows and most doorways are beautiful colored glass and plaster "qamaria" that truly are stunning. Many rooms also have hand-carved plasterwork

decorating the walls and cieling. Though each house is different, the rooms are spacious, the bathrooms modern, and you can get up to the flat roof to enjoy the view. The apartments in the Hadda complex are large by Washington standards, though they are a little dark and institutional-feeling. Most people who opt for Hadda prefer the feeling of security in numbers, the closeness to other expats, and the better facilities for children.

International schools used by community: Sanaá International School. British School. French School. As I don't have kids, and few of the officers there with me did, I don't know much about the relative merits of each. There were some problems with the Sana'a International School, which seems to have catered to the children of high Yemeni government officials at the expense of security concerns for American children subject to bullying. Campaign signs from the local elections Good post for families/singles/couples? At the moment it's only good for singles. of February 2001. Because of the high Families definitely should not consider Yemen at the moment (as of this writing, adult illiteracy, each party had a symbol that dependents were allowed to return, but no children). Couples with no kids can consider Yemen, but the risk of evacuation (which would primarily affect the trailing was used on the ballot. The horse is the spouse) is constant. The evacuation after September 11th went for the full six months, ruling General People's Congress, the and children still can't return after nearly a year. Tandem couples have little problem party of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The (as long as they have no kids), but it's a very high stress post. sun is Islah, the tribal and religious alliance whose name means "Reform." Good post for gay/lesbian expatriates? Probably not, but no worse than anywhere Photo by Michael Kolodner from else in the Middle East. www.kolodner.com .

Interesting/fun things to do: There isn't too much to "do" in Sana'a. I loved going to the suq (bazaar), but that was often curtailed by security threats. There are a couple of adequate Western-style restaurants. The main thing to do is get together with friends, but

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while I was there, most people were working all the time. The main reason to go to Yemen is to travel the country, but this is not as easy as it once was, again, due to security. Yemen is incredibly beautiful and varied. Embassy trips were of moderate frequency, but the security escort (soldiers and trucks with 50mm guns) takes a lot of spontanity away. Travel without an organized group is possible, but takes some advance planning (and a diplomatic note to the government), and usually the government will still send an armed security escort.

What is there to do after-hours? Just about nothing. There is dancing at a couple of clubs (populated mainly by prostitutes, according to "common wisdom"). Other than that, you are limited to cocktail and dinner parties or the few restaurants. There is one movie theater (men only), but it doesn't show Hollywood fare -- I don't know of anyone who ever went there.

Price of a Big Mac Meal (or similar)? Fast food (not officially brand name, yet) is available at Funny Bunny that closely approximates a Big Mac (they're trying to get approval to actually be a Burger King). It's around $2.50.

Fast food available? Yes, but not American brand name outlets. However, it's possible to "grab a quick bite" with options from fried chicken, to burgers, to Middle Eastern specialties like shwarma or falafel.

Decent restaurants available? Only a handful, and they're not cheap.

Food and groceries? Basically everything that you could want is available, though you won't necessarily find the American brand you might want. Prices are generally quite low, though you'll pay a premium for certain familiar brands.

Items you would ship if you could do it again? I wouldn't ship anything.

Availability and cost of domestic help ? Domestic help is available, but finding someone who cooks is apparently a challenge (I didn't bother to try). I paid $80 a month for two full days per week of cleaning. You can find people for less, but the pay is inflated for people working for Westerners, so not much less.

Realistic language needs: Arabic is essential, at least the basics. You can get by in Sanaá with English, as most shopkeepers know at least the numbers. But if you don't have some grasp of Arabic, you're not going to feel comfortable going very far on The suq in Tawila. The raisIns are good. your own. You're bound to come in contact with police or curious people on the street And the bullets? Photo by Michael who know virtually no English. Before you even get to the street, you'll see your Kolodner from www.kolodner.com . Embassy-provided guard, who speaks only a little English. Outside of Sana'a, Arabic is absolutely required.

English-language newspaper/TV: Two English-language newspapers. The Yemen Observer and The Yemen Times .

Cable/Satellite TV Available? All Embassy housing has hookups for satellite. You need a multi-system TV, or better yet one of the VCR's that can do digital conversion.

Internet access available (cost & quality)? TeleYemen has a monopoly on Internet access, costing about $40-$50 per month.. It's easy to set up an account and have access at home, if you can get through to TeleYemen. Their dial-up service is unreliable, often drops connections or has busy signals, and is incredibly slow. You can e-mail (but I highly recommend an off-line mail client, rather than any form of Webmail), but surfing the Web is painful.

Wages and job opportunities for Expats on the local economy? Very few opportunities on the local economy, and they pay next to nothing.

Entertaining/social life? As I said above, entertaining and going to other peoples' houses is the main thing to do. But while I was there, most people worked all the time, so they didn't entertain much. Social life was thus very limited. It's particularly bad for singles. The best way to meet Yemenis is to go to qat chews . You will meet dozens of people this way and will never want for an invitation to go to another chew and meet more people. If you go and don't chew qat, you'll still be welcomed. However, if you chew at least a little, you'll be a hit.

English-language religious services attended by expatriates? I know that there are a couple of church options. There is no synagogue, as far as I know (I'm Jewish, but not practicing). Yemen is an overwhelmingly Muslim country, the small Jewish community has almost disappeared, despite the amount the tour guides point out evidence of the Jews.

Size of Expat community? Small, insular.

Dress code at work and in public? Dress at the Embassy is business casual, tending towards casual as long as you don't have a meeting with government officials. In public, dress is conservative, but casual. Women must cover their arms and legs, but will still get stares because most Yemeni women wear head to toe black coverings. Men can wear short sleeves, but usually will feel more comfortable with long sleeves, which can be rolled up. You might as well leave your shorts at home.

Health concerns (healthy, unhealthy, and how)? It's not unhealthy to be there, though the lack of medical facilities (see below) can be a worry. Altitude can be a problem for people at first, but most acclimatize relatively well. Due to the dryness, kidney stones

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are a worry (drink lots of water to combat this). Malaria is not considered a fear in Sanaa due to the altitude (though this is debated), but it does exist on the coast. People do not take malaria prophylaxis.

Quality medical care available? The short answer: No. The Embassy has a well-stocked and well-staffed medical unit (though they were having trouble getting a permanent RMO when I was there, relying on a series of TDYers). There are a couple of hospitals in Sanaa that the medical unit says are of good quality, but you wouldn't want to go to them if you could avoid it. Getting injured in a vehicle accident is particularly worrisome because of the lack of emergency services. Outside of Sanaa, medical care basically doesn't exist. Medevacs and Dentevacs to the Gulf or London are the norm. Routine care is usually put off until a trip abroad.

Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)? Truthfully, I don't know. I doubt it.

Morale among Expats? When I was there, morale was terrible among Americans, due to the stress of evacuation and security concerns. Other Expats seemed much more comfortable and happy.

You can leave behind your: Bicycle (even going for a walk draws stares, biking would be pretty uncomfortable, not to mention dangerous the way Yemenis drive). Consumables (almost everything is available locally). Credit cards (utterly useless in Yemen's all-cash economy).

But don't forget your: Computer: Though TeleYemen is terrible, e-mail is a wonderful thing -- particularly since the time difference and different Yemeni weekend (Thursday-Friday) makes phone calls difficult. Also, bring lots of things to do at home: books, games, CD's, videos, etc. Rain Coat/Umbrella: See below. This is controversial, but women may want to consider bringing their nice jewelry. Obviously, this is risky due to concerns about security, but Yemen is one of the few places where you could wear expensive jewelry and never fear that you would be mugged. Diamond rings and other daily wear jewelry is probably quite safe. Things you would leave at home (and thus might get left behind in an evacuation) are a much more personal choice.

Weather patterns: Sana'a, contrary to what people would think, gets a fair amount of rain. The winter is warm but gorgeous in Sana'a, usually in the 70's and 80's, with low humidity. There are occasional showers, sometimes quite hard, flooding streets and turning dirt roads to mud. The summer is hot and dry, but not unbearable. Because of the altitude, the heat is never oppressive, though in the sun it can be strong. (Other regions of the country have very different weather, generally hotter and more oppressive, from desert regions in the north to humidity that impresses Louisianans in the south.)

Can you save money? Yes and no. Living is cheap, between inexpensive food and the fact that there is nothing to do. But international phone calls and plane flights to anywhere are expensive. In addition, most of the souvenirs that interest Westerners are no bargain and often reach quickly into the hundreds of dollars. It is these terraces--and the rainfall that Knowing what you now know, would you still go there? My story is too unique to makes them worthwhile--that make answer that question. Yemen so unique in the Arab world. Here on the Arabian Penninsula, one of the Any other comments: For photos and the full story of my experience, see my Web most arid places on Earth, there are site: http://www.kolodner.com . hundreds of acres of cultivated land. Photo by Michael Kolodner from Return to top www.kolodner.com .

Disclaimer : Some of the information in Real Post Reports written by Americans assigned to U.S. Embassies and Consulates may not apply to other expatriates and military personnel, and vice versa. The views and opinions of authors expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Tales from a Small Planet and may not be used for advertising or product endorsements. Real Post Reports are personal opinions, not official facts, and we do not guarantee that the information therein is complete, accurate or relevant. The reports make great reading, but keep in mind that your experiences may differ from those presented here. Neither Tales nor those who have volunteered their comments for Real Post Reports can be held liable for any injury that may result from the reliance on information contained in the reports or your personal happiness at post! If something offends you, take a big breath, step back for a moment, then contribute your own Real Post Report . Thank you.

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