http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/yemen-info-sought An entire Lightstalkers thread via RSS/XML. en-us Howdy, I'm planning a trip to Yemen beacause it looks absolutely freakin' awesome!! :)) Who's been what can you tell me? Mike Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:37:58 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/yemen-info-sought Hi Michael, Yemen is indeed an amazing place. i've been twice this year. PM me with any specific questions you may have and i'll be happy to answer. best bryan Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:06:48 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/yemen-info-sought#128774 Hi Mike, I was there in 2004. Yemen was and is one of the most incredible meetings of rugged mountains and people in the world period. Sanaa sits at 2700m. There was an armed kidnapping attempt on our vehicle returning from Sadah. So, heed advice about military escorts. Ours abandoned us or set us up but we escaped. Also travel on local transport whenever possible like those Peuguot 505 bush taxis. Being in a Japanese SUV is like putting a neon sign "foreigner" on the roof. When I was there, you could walk around Sanaa without any problems after dark. The food is good, and people friendly. With preparation, it is like nowhere else in the world. The Hadramis down in Hadramout are less friendly but do not carry weapons. It is completely safe down there, but keep an eye out for the camel spiders at night. (They will put the fear of the gods in you.) Cheers, James. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:27:18 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/yemen-info-sought#128795 Hi guys thanks for the input. I've been told that the north of the country, Sadah, is closed. I'm not sure exactly what's up there though. Where is the qat grown and produced? Is that something accessible in general? What about agriculture, specifically the women in black in the unusual hats where are they found? The currency I see is about 200 local rial to the dollar. How much do things cost? What's the average cost of a meal? taxi ride? night in a hotel? Where's a good place to stay? Is it true that I can get a visa for $20 upon arrival at the airport? I'm aAmerican and will be travelling with a Russian. European electric outlets for cell phone etc? Did you guys work with a fixer/guide? Mike Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:22:01 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/yemen-info-sought#128823 There is a separatist insurgency that started shortly after I left and that was dutifully ignored in the western media. That is probably why you have not heard about it. It was buried on teh bottom left corner of page 52, of most papers. There is a weapons bazaar up there where you can get your very own AK-47 to wear with your Burberry scarf. Seriously, though, Sadah was a very interesting place to vist, though don't be put off. Thre is plenty else to see. Qat (I don't remember the spelling) is readily available in the mountainous north and in Sanaa. It is as ubiquitous as espresso in Milano. Every afternoon men grow Dizzy Gallespie pouches. I remember that the hotels were cheap. There is a tower house, not the touristic one on the main wadi in the old town but a couple of blocks back that was in the range of US$5 - 10 with a fantasy view of minarets from the upper floors and the roof. I would not risk arriving without a visa. I am a Yank and I need to obtain one beforehand. I followed my nose and asked around. I do not remember about electricity. By a Lonely Planet guide for the basics: electricity, visas, hotels in the main cities. It will pay for itself in the BS and the money it will save you. I wish I could get back there too. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:17:41 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/yemen-info-sought#128843 well i'm back and it was awesome -- hopefeully i can get some pics online somewhere.... Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:13:49 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/yemen-info-sought#131423