So I've finally made it to Sana'a . . .
I arrived about 10 days ago, and it's been non-stop so far. In the first week we've had two VIP visits (and many more in the works), three drivers with medical emergencies, several field trips, and, oh, of course, the departure of the president of the country. So it's been interesting so far. My job consists of many small and large projects to keep the embassy running. It's fun, frustrating, and always surprising and different. It's also really busy. I got off the plane and went straight to an official function, and since have just kept going.
So a bit about Yemen these days. Things are calming down as parties get realistic about what they can and cannot have in the new Yemen. But many are optimistic. With a little safety and effort the country would be overrun with tourists, as everything here is 1000 years old and fantastic in every way. The country is pulled straight from the illustrations of 1001 Arabian Nights. The people are unbelievably open and friendly. I've already heard many stories of opposing faction's soldiers stopping fighting in the afternoons to eat and chew qat together . . . everyone's a relative or a friend here.
One other note . . . it's the wild west here in some respects. Like driving. On most roads there are literally no rules. People drive in any lane, direction, speed, or fashion that they please. So a few days ago, when I saw a traffic cop try to direct traffic through an intersection in which everyone went when they saw an opening, I understood his frustrated look. But that's Yemen: no one quite knows how things actually work here, but somehow they do.
I arrived about 10 days ago, and it's been non-stop so far. In the first week we've had two VIP visits (and many more in the works), three drivers with medical emergencies, several field trips, and, oh, of course, the departure of the president of the country. So it's been interesting so far. My job consists of many small and large projects to keep the embassy running. It's fun, frustrating, and always surprising and different. It's also really busy. I got off the plane and went straight to an official function, and since have just kept going.
So a bit about Yemen these days. Things are calming down as parties get realistic about what they can and cannot have in the new Yemen. But many are optimistic. With a little safety and effort the country would be overrun with tourists, as everything here is 1000 years old and fantastic in every way. The country is pulled straight from the illustrations of 1001 Arabian Nights. The people are unbelievably open and friendly. I've already heard many stories of opposing faction's soldiers stopping fighting in the afternoons to eat and chew qat together . . . everyone's a relative or a friend here.
One other note . . . it's the wild west here in some respects. Like driving. On most roads there are literally no rules. People drive in any lane, direction, speed, or fashion that they please. So a few days ago, when I saw a traffic cop try to direct traffic through an intersection in which everyone went when they saw an opening, I understood his frustrated look. But that's Yemen: no one quite knows how things actually work here, but somehow they do.
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