In late May, The Guardian had an excellent report on a group of tourists visiting Yemen from the UK.

As with everything we are told, taught or preached to about, context is everything. Kevin Rushby’s article is one of the best i have read in that it sets western life – notably British life – in context with how many people miss-perceive countries such as Yemen. In particular i like the juxtaposition between knife crime in Britain, the Yemeni jambiya worn by most Yemenis in the north of Yemen, and the almost unheard of use of it in violence.

Moreover, Kevin quotes a Yemeni who lived in Scarborough during the 1980s :

I did visit England! I went in the late 1980s and stayed for
three months – one in Manchester, the rest in Scarborough. I did like the
countryside a lot, but … ” he shakes his head. “In the towns, with so much
drinking of alcohol, I think it is very dangerous – fighting and
everything.

As i have written in previous posts, Yemen has problems and indeed, violence can be of a different nature and is even hidden away in the tribal culture prevalent outside the main cities.

Head over here and read Kevin’s article, then book your tickets!