Hidden on the Southern end of the Arabian Peninsula lies a place filled with legends. Shem (son of Noha) found his ideal settlement in Yemen, whereas Queen Sheba looked upon Yemen as her homeland. One of the oldest civilizations in the Middle East, is defined by its mountainous landscape and its natural attractions, it is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west and Oman to the east. Yemen treasures more than 200 islands, the largest being Soccotra. Bounded by mountains and sandy plains, reminds one of being back in time.
Sana’a is one of the oldest cities on earth, and also the capital of Yemen. Your trip should commence by visiting one of the oldest cities on earth and also the capital of Yemen. This city is situated 3800 meters above the sea level making the climate chilled, as compared to the rest of the areas in Yemen, which is usually warm. As you tour the land, you’ll find small settlements with stone tower houses which look like toy blocks that are white and brown. To make the look more spectacular, these houses have palm trees growing around them and roads connecting these settlements. It is amazing to look at settlements even on mountain tops, at times you would wonder “how did they reach up there?” The whole sight is stunning to watch!
Here is a city formed from an extinct volcanic eruption and falls on the eastern side of the Red Sea. Your next stop to visit is Aden, also the commercial capital of Yemen which consists of the finest sea ports in the country. It takes about six to seven hours by road and 30 minutes by flight to reach here. Do not be surprised to find yourself like being on another planet. Aden constitutes of large mountains, surrounding the city like a shield. There are peculiar graffiti’s of the ‘sun’ on these mountains, with small settlements resting on them. ‘Crater’ as they call it, is an extraordinary shopping hub of the city, divided into several lanes that all look alike, so in case you are lost, don’t hesitate to ask your way out. On the other hand, Aden has a sub city called “Little Aden” which is the residing place of the British Petroleum oil refinery. The settlement sites for the refinery employees were known as Bureika and Ghadi. Bureika are wooden houses and consists of family housings. Whereas, Ghadir consists of stone built housing made from granite, presently they are occupied by wealthier locals.
Yemen is a country which is rich in heritage. It has the oldest yet advanced irrigation system, although there have been water shortage issues, people are good at conservation. People here speak Arabic. Houses here are unique in their infrastructure, traditional tower houses are a unique feature of Yemen. It is is divided into two halves by a staircase for men and women. The heart of the house is called as ‘masfraj.’ The room has oriental carpets with cushions placed along the walls, which are also known as ‘majlese’ and this is accompanied bya smoking equipment called as ‘hookha’. In the afternoon, men gather here to chew ‘quat’ (a stimulant leaf) for pleasure, producing ‘quat’ is a vital part of the country’s economy. Another feature of these houses are the half- moon shaped window decorated with mosaic glass pieces. And it is a startling view to see the colours it casts on the white walls, as the sun shifts.
The locals are often called ‘Yemenis’. They are tolerant and hospitable people, who earn their livelihood by fishing. Men wear long white robes with white or green turbans. They always carry a small dagger called ‘jambiya’ which is used for traditional dances as a prop and also in case of extreme conflicts. Women dress conservatively by wearing an ‘Abaya’ (black robe). Although, women here have the freedom of unveiling their face and are quite free.
Yemenie cuisine generally consists of porridge prepared from fenugreek, with meat, eggs, vegetables, herbs and spices. Lentils and peas are traditional staples. People consume more of fish, poultry and dairy products. Alcohol and pork are prohibited in this country. Cuisines one must relish are ‘Sahavaq and Kupus’. It is a dipping made from cheese, tomato and chilies with Kupus which is a type of bread, combine them and you have titillating flavours in your mouth. From the variety of sweets available, ‘bint- as- sahn’ is a puff pastry consisting of light flaky dough topped with sesame seeds and honey, it has a light and crispy texture that melts in your mouth with every bite. One cannot leave without savoring their dishes and carrying with them dates and honey as souvenirs.
Other visits to stop by are the Socotra Island, the historic town of Zabid and the beaches of Aden and Little Aden. Yemen is worth exploring, as one feels like being back in sands of time and unlocking the mysteries of the country.
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