Just to let you know that i had an abortive trip to Shibam Kowkaban on Friday 23rd November. Reason – not enough paperwork about my work in Yemen or a tourist permit from the tourist police. Usually this checkpoint just needs a passport but not at the moment.
My advice…when travelling by road using taxi or bus, you need to have the right permits.

Brian Barron has a segment within the latest FOOC program on 24/11/07. You can read it / download it here
For anyone who just reads or downloads it here’s my smackdown to a story that does nothing but enhance the ’failed state’ image that has plagued Yemen.