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Sana 'a Travel Guide
A geographic explorer is likely to marvel at the mystery of Sana'a. Pier Paolo Pasolini, director of Thousand and One Nights (also known as the Arabian Nights) was impressed with the city that he called it "Venice Built on Sand." Sana'a is one of the most visually striking travel destinations that even the most experienced globe-trotters and travelers will call it must-see destination. While legend asserts that Sana'a was founded by Shem (son of Prophet Noah), Jonathan Raban, author of Arabia, Through the Looking Glass remarked that the "Sana'a experience" is like stepping into the middle of a vast pop-up picture book.
Unlike in any other region in the Arabian Peninsula, the landscape that welcomes tourists bristle with greenery. Farms dot the mountains around Sana'a. The fields of wheat and barley sway back and forth along the slopes of Haddah Mountains. The gray, soft pink and green stone huts of farmers blend into the cliff faces.
A grand entrance through the old city gates of Sana'a (Bab Al Yemen) seems like an access to another land. Rebuilt by the Turks in the 19th century, this is the only remaining gate of the old city and the favorite haven of shutterbugs. Not far from the city gates are throngs of worshippers wearing a complete ensemble of scarves wrapped around their heads and scurrying towards the nearest minaret upon hearing the call to prayer.
As the orange hue of the sunset touches the rooftops of the characteristic brown and white buildings sprawling around the old city, the noise of the crowd pushing towards a stall selling raisin juice in metal cups, and the activity of the open-air spice bazaar staining the air with the scent of cinnamon, add a festive vibe to a dull afternoon. Indeed, as how Jonathan Raban puts it, Sana'a is like a maze, a labyrinth of sorts, waiting to be explored.
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