Expatriate Forums in Yemen

Get-together and Smoke-out @ Hawaii Club

stud — Sun Dec 03, 2006 3:34 am

Author: stud

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 3:34 am

Ye ole double post trick
STUD

Come to the Oktoberfest at Sheraton Sanaa 04 and 05 of Nov.

stefan — Sat Oct 28, 2006 6:50 pm

Author: stefan

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 6:50 pm

Come to the Oktoberfest at Sheraton Sanaa 04. - 05. 11. 06

At the 04. and 05. of November there is the Oktoberfest at Sheraton Sanaa.
This is a German Cultural Festival with Live Entertainment ( Band from Germany) and German food and Drinks ( Beer and Wine).
The price is 35$ per person and night for food and entertainment.
For further informations please call : 711107685 ( Stefan)

Bored in Yemen! Where is everyone?

Luckycat — Thu Aug 03, 2006 7:48 pm

Author: Luckycat

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 7:48 pm

Hi Salome!! Are you still in Yemen?

new Sanaa Expat Meetup Group

Salome — Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:36 am

Author: Salome

Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:36 am

There is a new meetup group in Sana'a for expats and people that would like to meet expats.

Our first meeting will be Wendsday, June 21, 8PM, at El Fanoos Restaurant on the corner of Djubuti and Hadda streets.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Thanks!

Kim

YEMEN LEISURE : Activities For Expats

Anonymous — Wed Jan 04, 2006 6:46 am

Author: Anonymous

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 6:46 am

YEMEN LEISURE : Activities For Expats

Language institutes:
Learning Arabic definitely has a lot of advantages. In many areas in Yemen you will not come across any English speakers so it is wise to learn the basics in order to get around and be able to explain what you want or need or to just exchange some greetings with the Yemenis. Besides that it enlarges your scope to get information on the county and its inhabitants. The Yemenis are usually happy if you can manage in some Arabic. Following a good course of Arabic will also get you in touch with other people.
Two language institutes are most used by foreigners: The British Yemeni Arabic Institute: (tel:417527, email: allardyce@y.net.ye. They are located on what is now Iran Street, but what used to be 24th street. Anyway it is the first big crossing on your left on Hadda Road after the Medina. They are close to the Koreana restaurant, follow the signs from there. They offer a good variety of courses for anyone.
Another good option in the old city is the Sana’a Institute for Arabic Language on the Al-Sailah street in the old city (tel:284330/284331, email: sial@y.net.ye). They seem to offer good language courses but they also attract the wrong kind of Americans with fundamental Islamic interests like the one caught in Afghanistan.

Birding/environmental organisations:
In Yemen there is the Yemen Ornithological Society who often go out on birdwatching expeditions (once a fortnight). In addition they have regular meetings on which invited experts lecture about specifics of Yemen Fauna. Contact David Stanton (tel:207059) or use the email address: davidstanton@qsi.org

Hash:
Once a week, every Monday, a group of expats and Yemenis go on a walk/run somewhere around Sana’a. This is a relaxing way of meeting other people. As everywhere in the world the hash has only volunteers. The big difference with most other countries is the absence of alcohol, since public consumption of alcohol is forbidden in Yemen. To get your name on the mailing list, so you know where to go, contact Randell Cameron on 275977. By email he can be reached under consultant@y.net.ye.

International Women’s Association:
The association is open to all expat women. They will meet every second Wednesday morning of the month in the Taj Sheba hotel. Usually a guest will talk on a subject of interest and announcements will be made. No need to become a member, you pay 500 YR every time you come for the meeting and leave your email address for further invitations. Every year they will organise a charity lunch and a charity bazaar and sometimes some other activities. If you are trying to settle in and you want to meet some other women the IWA offers the best opportunity.

Book-clubs:
A few book clubs are available in Sana’a The members will make up a list of books to read and to discuss. As people are invited to join with specific clubs, it is best to let others know that you are looking for a book club to join.

Source by: Rosan Aalbers

YEMEN SPORTS CLUBS : Sports Clubs in Yemen Guide

Anonymous — Wed Jan 04, 2006 6:39 am

Author: Anonymous

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 6:39 am

Yemen Sports Clubs : Sports Clubs in Yemen Guide

Clubs: The clubs in Sana’a all belong to groups of a certain nationality or are part of a hotel. They all have different facilities so know what you are looking for and what you are willing to pay.
British Club: A club with a small cold pool, a tennis-court, a few dart boards and a snooker billiard. With bar and basic restaurant facility. The club is meant for British Embassy staff and British nationals only but as not many British are left they currently need the other foreigners to save the club from having to close down. Other nationals can only become associate members. No membership for Yemenis. They charge 200 US$ for a family as one years membership fee.

The American Club: Currently closed due to the political situation and the threat of attacks. Unknown when they will open again.
The Russian Club is one of the few places apart from the Sheraton and Taj Sheba where alcohol is sold. It is a bit seedy and open till very late and sometimes has go-go-dancers. Entrance is free for every expatriate. The Club is in the tourist village opposite the American Embassy.

Taj Sheba Hotel: The Hotel has a swimming pool, a jacuzzi and some work out facilities. Their pool is well kept but the membership fee is high just like the next one:

Sheraton Hotel: Offers a large heated swimming pool (not always as a result of poor maintenance) two tennis court, a fitness room (men and women separate) a sauna and a whirlpool. The hotel also offers lunch and dinners but be ready to wait for at least 30 minutes before your order arrives. The cost is US$ 1.000 a year for a family. You can also get in on a daily basis for which you will pay YR 2.000 per person. There is a tennis coach who gives lessons.

Sports and activities for children

Karate classes: For those who want to join in fighting sports the Diplomatic Centre is a good choice. They offer karate classes and taekwondo or judo. Their school is in the Hadda/Attan area. To reach there you need to drive up Hadda road and take the first road on your right after the Medina (yes, just after the Bin Obeid furnishing shop). On this road you need to take the third road on your right again and then they are just after the corner on the left (white doors). Check on their fees as they seem to vary according to colour and nationality. Females will also join here. For the very young kids (6 or 8 year old ones) you may need to supervise a bit as the educational methods for big and small ones are the same. The young ones are easily left out. Join a few free lessons to see whether it is suitable for you or your children.

Judo classes: If above mentioned Diplomatic Centre does not offer what you want then check on the French Cultural Centre at the Circular Road. They also offer judo classes. Their teacher is a champion but he insists a lot on a discipline that might be asked a bit too much from young ones. As he shouts a lot young kids are easily put off. Join a few free lessons to see whether you or the young one can bear.

Ballet: A Russian lady gives ballet lessons in Sana’a. She has her studio on the Medina Sekenia in one of the first blocks on your right when entering the Medina from Hadda Road. The door that leads to the building is painted pink and is next to a whole sale sellers shop. He sometimes make problems if you park in front of his shop.

Tennis lessons: Neither tennis courts nor teachers are in abundance in Sana’a. There are two courts at the Sheraton Hotel and also a teacher is available upon request. Discuss the fee and court rent before you start your lessons. (YR 750 for 45 minutes)
A court is also available at the Hadda Hotel. Nabil is their tennis marker( tel: 71720027). He is also willing to come to the British Club in case you want your lessons there (currently charges 500YR per hour). He became tennis champion of Yemen for the fourth of fifth time this year. He is also good in teaching children but if the children are young it is wise to organise one hour for three or four children at once.

Source by: Rosan Aalbers