Okay so I finally updated!
So I finally updated with some day-to-day information of my life here in Sana'a. I've been writing every couple days the things I do/see/hear/etc, but just on my laptop in my room. I've just been to lazy/busy to take it to the internet cafe and post it all. There is info from September 12, up until almost now, with the exception of one day (I hadn't written anything all week, and couldn't remember do anything exceptional or note-worthy, so just left it out). So if you are interested in, you can scroll back to the beginning to read the whole thing.
Sorry for any typos, or strange things. I typically type at night, in the dark, and nearly asleep, and haven't bothered to proofread. Besides I'm here in Yemen to be spending as much time with Arabic as I can (maybe I'm forgetting how to write in English).
Ma'a Salama
(I'll try to update more than once every three weeks from now on)
posted by Ryan at Wednesday, October 04, 2006
5 Comments:
Nice updates! You weren't kidding when you titled this thing "Sleepless in Sana'a:-) It sounds like things are pretty inexpensive there, that's good news. What is the internet situation like? How much dies it cost to use the internet cafes? Do they have pretty god speed? I'll be staying there for an extended period of time so I'm wondering if I should get an internet account of my own using dial up. Keep up the posting, I've got less than a month before I'm over there!
Isaac
Hey... Yeah, sorry about the lack of updates. I remember how often I would check people's blogs before I left too... Looking for any bit of useful info I could find. There are actually a lot of internet cafes around, and they are all pretty expensive. I know one that's about a riyal a minute, or so. But I'd say maybe 50 cents an hour on the average? Not bad really... And the speed is generally pretty good. Much better than you'd get with dial up I'm sure. Gary said he paid $150 dollars to have it in his room, not sure how much it was a month, or exactly how it worked.
When exactly do you arrive? I just ran into Luca from CALES again tonight, he should still be here along with the others when you arrive.
I'll be there on Nov.1. I'm a little bummed that I'll miss the festival, but I figure I'll see it next year:-) If it's only about 50 cents an hour, I will probably just use them. Was the $150 for dial up? We should hook up when I get there, not least of all because I know no Arabic at all and you do:-)
Isaac
Nov 1st... Cool. And you'll be staying for quite a loong time, right? That is cool that you will be staying for such a long time... I do recommend that you learn as much as you possibly can before you come here, because there really isn't a lot of English spoken here. Not to mention that it's difficult to understand the spoken Arabic, despite studying fusha.
Yeah, we can definitely meet up when you come, that'd be great. Nice to meet another American student here. When it gets closer to that time of your arrival I can email you my phone number here. It is easy to walk into any Itisalaat store and make a call for cheap. Can you read arabic script? Or you can just email me after you arrive, which ever you prefer.
The $150 was to hook up a dial up internet connection in his room. But yeah, you should ask him for more details about it... I think CALES is a little far from Maydan Tahrir and the internet cafes, but I'm not sure where exactly it is. I've looke around but it's nearly impossible for me to find anything in the old city! With the exception of Souq al-Milh and the nice place I've ate at a few times. Yeah you have next year to look forward to in terms of late late nights, and nothing to eat or do whatsoever during the day! :)
If you have more specifics that you'd like to know about, just ask... I'll try to be prompt.
As for the internet... Uploading pictures is pretty slow, I'm trying right now, with much frustration... Grr.
I hardly know anything in Arabic, and I can't read a lick. But you know it wouldn't be an immersion experience without the fear of drowning:-) One of the reasons I wanted to go to Yemen is because so few people speak English, with a good, long stay I think that I'll pick it up better that way. I'll def. get in touch when I get there. I've got a local contact over there right now, I get to practice my Arabic and he gets to practice his American English. Should work out just fine...
Isaac
Post a Comment
<< Home