Guide in Yemen

A friend and I traveled to Yemen, once known as the Land of the Queen of Sheba, Nov. 3-17, ’08. It is a country of vast physical diversity, with deserts, mountains, volcanic wastelands and beautiful beaches, and it maintains a strong sense of its rich past.

We hired a local driver with a car, Mohammed Ghanem (phone 733206983 or e-mail mghanim2004@yahoo.com), who had come highly recommended by other tourists, for a 2-week trip around Yemen. He made every effort to meet our requests.

An enthusiastic presenter of his country, Ghanem speaks excellent English and is an excellent driver. Most importantly, he is one of the few men in Yemen who does not chew qat, a leafy stimulant popular all over the country. (Most Yemeni men stuff qat into their cheeks until it looks as if they are harboring a tennis ball there.)

At the time of our trip, he charged €55 (near $79) a day for the car, gas and his services, adding a bit more on the two days he drove extensive distances.

Yemen is a fascinating and beguiling country. I could well have spent another two weeks exploring it. Feel free to contact me if you would like more information; phone 585/381-7420 or e-mail lynhowl@yahoo.com.

LYNDA HOWLAND
Pittsford, NY