Poor People
Despite once being rich in natural resources like gold, crude oil and natural gas, now Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the world. In the region it ranks as the poorest country.
Poor People
Weddings And The Like
While we prepare tirelessly to prepare a wedding ceremony that will last all of a few hours, the Yemenis go all out. Weddings can last up to 21 days… and that’s only on average.
Weddings And The Like
Baby Boomers
With such long weddings, when do the citizens of Yemen have time for their many children? Yemen takes first place for the highest number of children born per year in the Middle East.
Baby Boomers
Carrying Daggers
If you ever visit Yemen, don’t be startled by the daggers men proudly display in public. The “jambiya” is worn as a sign of status, and is often beautifully designed to prove one’s salt. The decorative dagger also serves as a warning to possible opponents, telling them not to pick a fight.
Carrying Daggers
Pens For Yemen
As a tourist, there are certain items that locals will expect you to bring along for them. One example is pens for the schools there (which are highly underfunded), but giving candy is also gladly welcomed.
Pens For Yemen
No Tipping
How much do you tip in your country? 10%? 12%? 20%?! Well in Yemen, tipping is not actually a thing. So if you’re trying to tip someone for the service they provided, don’t jump when they don’t accept it.
No Tipping
Drug Leaves
Looking for a legal high? Yemen has what they call “khat” leaves, which they chew. The chewing gives a person a mild amphetamine-like effect. For anyone interested in buying a bundle, market vendors sell a day’s worth for something like $5!
Drug Leaves
Gay Is A ‘No Go’
Yemen is like some other Muslim countries. Because of its ultraconservative values, many things are banned. One of those things just happens to be homosexuality, which can bring on the death penalty.
Gay Is A No Go
Chewing, No Drinking
Chewing drugs is allowed, but alcohol is an absolute no in the Islamic country of Yemen. 95.1% of the population is made up of Muslims, so we can understand why they make the rules.
Chewing No Drinking
A Magic Carpet Ride
Between 1949 and 1950, Israeli authorities pulled off a daring immigration mission called, “Operation Magic Carpet”. The mission ensured that around 49,000 Yemenite Jews made it safely to the State of Israel, rescuing them from persecution by the Muslim majority. Currently there are fewer than 100 Jews living in Yemen.
A Magic Carpet Ride
City Of Coffee
Does the word “mocha” sound familiar to you? We all know that it’s related to coffee, but do you know why? Well, the Yemen’s city of Mokha once served as the center of the world’s coffee trade. It all makes sense now.
City Of Coffee
Bin Laden
What does the Bin Laden family and Yemen have in common? What most people don’t know is that before Osama Bin Laden’s family made their way to Saudi Arabia after living in Yemen.
Bin Laden
Kidnappings
A part of Yemen’s tourism fall can be partnered with the increase in kidnappings of Westerners. From the 90’s to the 2000’s, more than 100 Westerners were kidnapped by Yemeni tribesman, usually asking for a financial ransom. Later their tactics took on a political spin with kidnappers demanding prisoner exchanges for the release of the hostages.
Kidnappings
Sana’a, The Old City
The capital city of Sana’a is one of the oldest cities in the world. Additionally many people believe that the old city was built by the son of Noah, Shem.
Sanaa The Old City
Manhattan Of Arabia
In the United Arab Emirates, massive buildings brush the skyline, but Yemen’s city of Shibam (a UNESCO world heritage site) still claims the name of the “Manhattan of Arabia”. The city boasts more than 500 structures that were constructed of mud bricks. Here’s another fun fact – the towers that reached 11 stories are considered to be the first skyscrapers ever built.
Manhattan Of Arabia
