Pictures
Introduction
I left San Francisco on December 5, and spent three and a half weeks in Yemen living with a Yemeni family in the old city of Sana’a. Besides touring the country, I also took a short Arabic course at the Sana’a Institute for the Arabic Language. Three weeks of classes and I learned to say "oureed (I want) askreem." Not bad huh.
Yemen
Prior to my trip, I was warned by people who genuinely cared about me that going there on my own and living with a Yemeni family was perhaps not a good idea. On the other hand, I was given encouragement from many of my more open-minded friends and friends who had actually traveled to Yemen. In the end I took the advice from people who had been to Yemen rather than those who couldn’t even find Yemen (or Oman, or UAE) on a map. It was the right decision and my experience in Yemen turned out to be wonderful.
Continue reading "Yemen"Dubai
It was not on my itinerary, but everywhere I went in the region, I ended up transiting in Dubai.
Continue reading "Dubai"Oman
Party Like It's 1424
I flew to Muscat on December 30 to meet up with Nabila, her daughter Bisan, and her friend Muna from Abu Dhabi. We spent four fun days touring Muscat and the surrounding areas.
Continue reading "Oman"Herat, Afghanistan
My Iranian friends Hamed (husband) and Parastoo (wife) and I took an early bus from Mashhad to the Afghan border. After getting our passports stamped, we simply walked across the border.
Continue reading "Herat, Afghanistan"Iran - the Second Visit
When I visited Iran a year ago, I thought it was very conservative. Second time around, I had a very different perspective. I never thought I'd describe Iran as liberal, but it really is when compared to Yemen or Afghanistan.
Continue reading "Iran - the Second Visit"