Sanaa is the capital city of Yemen, and yet most of the buildings look shabby, or crassical, whatever you describe. Few high buildings. No modern design.
Cars honk around. It's rare to see a car which body is not damaged or dusty. Main streets are relatively clean. There are trashcans on pavements and cleaning men sweep around. But alleys are different.
Many people sit or lay on streets. Beggers, homeless, or just sitting... It's hard to tell at first sight. Some reach their hands. Some say hallo. Many men are busy chewing Khat.
It's mostly women who ask for money, or kids. I sometimes see a woman waiting outside of restaurants, probably for leftover. Women may shop some food quickly in a restaurant, but don't eat.
Many men wear trousers (long of course). Not only young. That's the significant difference from the other towns or villages I've been, although the percentage is less than half.
I sometimes see two men holding hands and walking. Both young and aged. I wondered if they were friends or couples. According to web search, homosexuality is illegal in Yemen. Potential maximum penalty is death. (Later I heard from a Yemeni that aged ones should be friends. Young ones were questionable.)
There are many street shops around the square I stay. Some sell gun equipments, like scopes, magazines, holsters and such. Not a gun itself nor bullets. I haven't seen any citizen carrying a gun. They say Jambeer, the traditional knife that Yemeni men often put on, is more symbolic object of their social status than a weapon.
Poverty is apparent. But the atmosphere is peaceful, people are easy going and friendly, as far as I see on the surface.
2 Apr 2009, Sanaa, Yemen
