Sandy came by at about 9:30. He is working on constructing a power plant (diesel) there but was planning on going on vacation to England on Monday. He was busy but did orient us by taking us in his VW up the hill above Taiz and then left us at the bottom of the city in the old town.
It is a bustling market and Bryan bought a traditional wrap skirt since he had left his old one in Djibouti in error. Much brocade and velvet fabrics, spices and sounds. We weren't bothered by urchins or people wanting to guide us as in Addis Ababa. We saw several Americans – some Peace Corps – a surprising number. We walked up the hill to our hotel – about 20 minutes or so. We couldn't locate a tourist office but we did buy some nice apples.
After lunch a British business man and his Yemani agent were going out for a drive and invited us along. (We first met them both in Djibouti.)
He took us first to an old palace of the Imam above the city. It was falling apart and it was a shame to see the delicately carved shutters and stained glass windows broken and falling out. We paid a few reals to a guard who allowed us to look at several lions caged in the courtyard. They had just eaten goats and their coats looked very healthy considering their small and flimsy cages. There were two males and 4 females but only one in a couple. There were also 2 striped hyenas. The guard related the story how one lion had eaten his keeper and had to be shot.
After that we drove in the countryside around the mountain behind Taiz. At dusk they dropped us at the souk where I bought a scarf and we walked home.
Dinner at the hotel and bed, but not as exhausted as the previous night.
It is a bustling market and Bryan bought a traditional wrap skirt since he had left his old one in Djibouti in error. Much brocade and velvet fabrics, spices and sounds. We weren't bothered by urchins or people wanting to guide us as in Addis Ababa. We saw several Americans – some Peace Corps – a surprising number. We walked up the hill to our hotel – about 20 minutes or so. We couldn't locate a tourist office but we did buy some nice apples.
After lunch a British business man and his Yemani agent were going out for a drive and invited us along. (We first met them both in Djibouti.)
He took us first to an old palace of the Imam above the city. It was falling apart and it was a shame to see the delicately carved shutters and stained glass windows broken and falling out. We paid a few reals to a guard who allowed us to look at several lions caged in the courtyard. They had just eaten goats and their coats looked very healthy considering their small and flimsy cages. There were two males and 4 females but only one in a couple. There were also 2 striped hyenas. The guard related the story how one lion had eaten his keeper and had to be shot.
After that we drove in the countryside around the mountain behind Taiz. At dusk they dropped us at the souk where I bought a scarf and we walked home.
Dinner at the hotel and bed, but not as exhausted as the previous night.
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