A Visit to Yemen

Filed in archive A World Away on January 5, 2008

Dubai is definitely The star of the Gulf States when it comes to tourism. But, you have to wonder, with all the 5-star hotels and glitzy shopping malls, if you are seeing the real Arabia. But where else can you go?

The New York Times' Tom Downey recently went to Yemeni capital of Sana'a. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Sana';a oozes history. Downey claims that sightseeing can take place anywhere; while drinking coffee at his hotel, while wandering the city's aged souks, or just standing on the corner.

Yemen, for all its beautiful buildings, mystery, and history, does not receive many tourists. Fears of terrorism (the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole took place off the coast of Yemen) and an unpredictable political situation is enough to keep most visitors away. Whether these dangers are real or not is up to the individual tourist, though the US State Department warns travelers of the security situation on its web site.

But, for the adventurous wanderer, Yemen has a lot to offer. Exploring Sana'a endless streets and market stalls is guaranteed to be a unique experience.

You can read Downey's article here.