Al-Hodeidah is Yemen’s second most important port. The city itself was nothing but on a clear day you could look straight across the Red Sea to Eritrea and Ethiopia, less than 40 miles away. This area is coastal with a big African influence. The population of Al-Hodeidah is around 130,000 with a wide blend of nationalities: Ethiopians, Yemenis, Somalis, Sundanese and others.
A wadi is a watercourse, usually dry until the rainy season. Driving over the track of the wadi (this was dry season), palm trees began to appear as we got nearer to the Red Sea coast. The women here dressed differently. The mountain women wore black and full veils whereas these women wore flowered dresses and trousers with face veils and straw hats. There was always something happening along the road…an impromptu goat market…
…the rugged mountain scenery…and an occasional village….
…until we reached a small river running through the wadi that we crossed by just barreling through it…
..in celebration, Achmed, head guide, whipped our his djambia and did a little impromptu dance…
We visited the early morning Al-Hodeidah fish market (smelly) and then continued on to the Friday market …View image…at Bayt al-Faqih/Beit al-Faqih. Bayt al-Faqih is the country’s biggest and most famous Friday market. This market began in the 1700’s when Bayt al-Faqih was a coffee trading post. The market was huge with over 1,000 traders and a different area for each type of produce. Besides coffee there was pottery, camels, donkeys, etc.
Before leaving, our 4WD was surrounded with vendors selling hats and small curios.
One man with his children was so nice, and persistent, detailing how his wife made every one herself that we finally bought just to make him happy. The few dollars would certainly mean more to him in this extremely poor country than to us…
From Al-Hodeidah, we continued on to Zabid. a town known for its unusual white-painted architecture and walls. Took time walking along the narrow streets, and had to locate the keeper of the keys to let us in to see the views.
The day ended in the former Royal capital of Ta’izz, set in a mountain bowl. During either the long ride to Zabid or Ta’izz, I think we passed by this former royal palace in ruins now… ready for the one-night stay at the Royal Ta’izz Hotel….
