Sanaa, Yemen Report of what it's like to live there - 06/13/14
Personal Experiences from Sanaa, Yemen
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Thailand, Myanmar.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
US, 15hrs - connect through London.
3. How long have you lived here?
2 years.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Government - USAID.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Decent enough housing with walled compound. Traffic is horrible.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Expensive.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Good movie collections.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Qat gatherings maybe.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Few bugs that looks like tsetse flies.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Pouch.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
None.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Don't.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Churches aren't allowed.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Arabic is helpful with the staff.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Don't go in the first place.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
No.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
4x4 if you don't get blowned up or kidnapped in it.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Not really.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Not cheap.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
No pets!
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
None.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
None.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Conservative.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
It's all about security concerns...terrorism!
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Expensive and average.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Moderate.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Dry mostly with spasms of rain during the season.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
None that I know of, taking kids to Yemen is beyond absurd.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
No.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Dwindling.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Drink to death! Excessive binge drinking is common.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Not good for anyone, maybe in the past, but not anymore.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
It is a Muslim country!
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Yes, they don't respect women.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Nothing, maybe getting moved to an hotel.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
There used to be good jambiya, now it's all from China.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Chinese made jambiya.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Weather and saving money; there isn't anything to buy except jambiya.
10. Can you save money?
There is nothing to buy except booze, food, and Chinese jambiya.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
That it was far gone
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
NO.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Nice clothes, hiking shoes, and valuable stuffs.
4. But don't forget your:
DIY kit.
5. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
6. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0446619264/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0446619264&linkCode=as2&tag=thesunspousunder
7. Do you have any other comments?
Yemen as a whole is not nice but the locals are.
