Qat is a mild stimulant, chemically unlike any other drug. It will probably make you lively and chatty, although after a while you'll probably become mellow and contemplative. Yemeni architecture is unique. Buildings in the highlands are particularly striking - multistorey tower houses made from stone, brick or mud which wouldn't look out of place in a northern England housing development. Some of these houses are five or six stories high, with an extended family living in each house.
Lunch is the main meal of the day in Yemen.
Yemenis eat using their fingers or piece of bread - knives and forks are rare. The mainstay of most Yemeni kitchens is shurba , a cross between a soup and a stew which can have a base of lentils, lamb or fenugreek. The everyday drink is shay , or tea, which is drunk from small glasses and may be served with mint. Because Yemen is a strict Islamic country, alcohol is illegal. We encourage you to verify any critical information with the relevant authorities before you travel.