This week I actually got to leave the confines of Sana’a to venture to a neighboring governorate (that’s what the different regions, kind of like states, are called here). Granted, I was in a car and wasn’t exactly rollerskating down the open road feeling the wind flow through my hair. But it was a certainContinue reading “What a View”
Author Archives: The Next Dinner Party
My ‘Great’ Great Aunt
My great aunt Jean was truly my “great” Aunt Jean, was the joke we used to say. Not only was she literally my great aunt, being my grandpa’s sister and all, but she was a great lady. She died last year, but a dream I had recently has caused me to think of her aContinue reading “My ‘Great’ Great Aunt”
What to Pack
Packing to live in a country to which you’ve never even traveled is a stressful thing. Especially if you’re a bad packer, like myself. I once packed for a work trip to Vegas in the dead of a DC winter. When I arrived in 90-degree Sin City, I realized I had packed all wool andContinue reading “What to Pack”
A Love Story from Yemen
This is the most touching thing you’ll read this Valentine’s Day. No, not this blog. This. Seriously, if you have 10 minutes, read this amazing story about the love between two mentally disabled people. Their story is so beautiful. And here is the most hilarious thing you’ll read this Valentine’s Day. Again, not this blog.Continue reading “A Love Story from Yemen”
Gotta Run
I detest running. It’s probably my least favorite activity. I like it even less than doing dishes or watching football on TV or dancing in public before I’ve had three drinks. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how anyone can enjoy long distance running, because I find it tedious, painful, and self-flagellating. The only instanceContinue reading “Gotta Run”
The Language Barrier
Some people seem naturally adept at learning new languages. Like Mr.YemenEm who speaks French, Spanish, Arabic and a little Chinese. He’s always had a passion for languages, began learning Spanish in middle school, wanted to be a Foreign Service Officer since high school, and majored in Romance languages in college. He even lived in Spain,Continue reading “The Language Barrier”
House Beautiful
I read somewhere once that Tauruses (the Zodiac sign, not the car) are especially keen on material possessions, in particular luxuries like good food and wine, and having a cozy, comfortable house filled with things that he or she considers beautiful. While I may not possess all of the other qualities of a Taurus, (forContinue reading “House Beautiful”
Honeymoon Redux
Hello to my handful of readers, and sorry for the lack of blog posts. Mr.YemenEm and I were on our delayed honeymoon in SE Asia which didn’t leave much time for blogging. A summary of the highlights of the trip before I return to my regular Yemen-themed postings: Thailand: First stop on the vacay ofContinue reading “Honeymoon Redux”
On Vacation!
Happy New Year from Thailand, where Mr.YemenEm and I are are enjoying a delayed honeymoon. It’s been great to get out of Yemen for a bit and travel to a place where we can eat to our hearts’ content, where we are free to walk around wherever we wish (and you, know, to a placeContinue reading “On Vacation!”
Fall Traditions in America
I recently gave a talk to Yemeni teenagers who are learning English as part of a scholarship language program that Mr. YemenEm works closely with. To be a part of the program, students need to commit to coming to the language center every day after school. While most things in Yemen are gender segregated (school,Continue reading “Fall Traditions in America”