Caravan-Serai Tours - Yemen - Handbook

Handbook

Yemen Overview

Yemen is situated on the southwestern end of the Arabian Peninsula. Bordered on the west by the Red Sea, on the south by the Gulf of Aden on the Arabian Sea, on the north by Saudi Arabia, and the east by Oman (formerly Muscat and Oman). It has often been described as the location of the original Garden of Eden and is known to be one of the oldest centers of civilisation in the Middle East. Yemen has always been a major link in the trade routes from India and the Spice Islands (now Indonesia), to Europe and Africa, including Egypt. Prior to the rise of Islam, Christian and Jewish societies lived in Yemen. In 640AD Islam spread south from Arabia (now Saudi Arabia) to Yemen. By the 16th century the Turks controlled the country until after WWI in 1918. Yemeni Imams (Kings) ruled until 1962 when a civil war broke out between republicans and royalists. Subsequently, Yemen was divided into two countries: North Yemen with its capitol at Sana'a, and the People's Republic of South Yemen with it's capitol at Aden, th e old British Protectorate. In 1990, the two countries were once again united. Today, Sana'a is the capitol, Aden is the commercial center, and Al Hodeidah is the major Red Sea port.

The geography of Yemen is divided into two principle regions: the Tihama - a hot, dry, sandy semi-desert strip along the Red Sea, and the Jebel, the mountainous interior rising to 12,000' which is noted for abundant rainfall and heavily terraced agriculture. The climate is tropical along the coastline with hot summers and high humidity. The higher altitudes are more temperate on the high plateau with short rainy seasons in March/April and July/September. Winters are cold in Sana'a.

Yemeni's are strict Islamic Arabs and live mainly in villages and towns. The Yemeni concept of time is based on morning, lunchtime and evenings. You probably will no see clocks in Yemen and you can expect that an appointment fo 2PM will be kept sometime between lunch and dinner.

The national past-time seems to be the consumption of Qat. Early in the morning, the local people cut leafy branches from this bush which grows throughout the country. It is taken to market and sold fresh daily in great quantities. After the noon meal, Yemeni men rest in the cool of the afternoon and chew the leaves which are mildly narcotic inducing a restful state. It is said that qat consumption determines the entire day.

Eating Manners: Eat only with the right hand. The left hand is used for sanitary purposes and is considered "unlean." One washes hands before AND after eating. Most restaurants in the Middle East have a wash basin somewhere in the main room, not associated with the toilet. Cutlery is used in international hotels. Showing the soles of one's feet is an insult, including sitting on the floor eating. By rising, praising God by saying, "al hamdulli'lah" and washing one's hands, you may "leave the table." This ends the meal.

Dress: Modest for men and women. Scanty dress, including shorts are not recommended! If entering a mosque, women should wear a scarf which covers the hair. Men and women must leave shoes withthe gatekeeper of the mosque. Some mosques do not permit non-believers to enter.

Photography: Taking photographs of women is forbidden! Please observe this.

Accomodations: Outside large towns which have good 3-5 star hotels, accommodation is in the Funduk, village inns made up of 2 or 3 communal rooms of 8-10 places each, on mattresses laid on the floor. Standards of comfort are very basic and there is no hot water. However, there is friendly hospitality and excellent food.

US Embassy in Sana'a: 26 September Road, Al-Halali Building, P.O. Box 1088
Telephone: (967) 1-238842/52

Currency - The monetary unit in Yemen is the Rial which is divided into 100 fils. There is no limit on the amount of American currency which can be brought into Yemen.

Credit Cards - Major cards are accepted in most tourist area hotels, restaurants and major stores. They are not as widely accepted in rural areas of Yemen.

Travelers Checks - can be cashed at any bank or currency exchange. Credit card transactions are often given a better exchange rate.

ATM cards - check with your bank. Some countries do not have ATMs

Electricity - Voltage varies between 100 and 200 of the 50 cycle. Plugs are usually of the two-round prong European style. Varieties of converter sets can be bought in local travel stores such as Wide World Books and Maps, 1911 45th St. Seattle WA 98103, (206) 634-3453.

Time - Yemen is 9 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time, three hours ahead of Greenwich (England) Mean Time.

Banks - Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 12:30PM and 1:30PM to 5:00PM. The bank closes for the luch hour. Please note that offices, banks, and most stores are closed during religious and secular holidays.

Weights and Measures - Metric system.

Language - Arabic is spoken throughout the country

Shopping - Shopping in Yemen is an adventure. It is expected that hard bargaining will occur in he shops and bazaars.

Passports and Visas - You will need a passport valid for six months after the date of return. Please check well in advance of traveling for expiration date and keep your passport current. Visas are required of US citizens and can be obtained from Yemeni consulates in the US, or at the port of entry. No Israeli stamps please.