Last week, fuel at the pump nearly dubbled in price. A liter of petrol now costs nearly $1, and that in a country where 40% of the population has less than $2 a day to spend! Many people already had a hard time surviving before this happened, so how about now? Because when fuel goes up, all prices go up, including food, water, and public transportation fares.
The price increase happened during the Eid holidays, when lots of people are out of the city. But people are angry, of course, and it might be that they won't quietly accept this.
Friday, 8 August 2014
Thursday, 27 February 2014
Electricity - or Living Without it
The other day I came across a couple of websites of Americans who have chosen to live without electricity. Apart from the question how they can post blogposts without electricity, I think this is great! These people grew up with fridges, washing machines, and TVs, and are now convinced that life without them is more relaxing.
In Yemen, many people live (partly) without electricity, but they don't do this out of conviction. They wish there were no power-cuts, and whoever can afford it uses a generator. Some people even convert their fridges to be used with a gas-cylinder to keep them going.
I don't mean to say that one way of life is better than the other - there is absolutely nothing wrong with sensible use of electricity - but it should make us think about things that are truly important. Like one of the websites stated: Mankind was able to survive without electricity for thousands of years, so why are we so dependent upon it now? Independence means to be able to survive without electricity and to have the knowledge to do this - even if you happen to live in a place where you don't have to worry about the power-supply.
Isn't that inspiring?
In Yemen, many people live (partly) without electricity, but they don't do this out of conviction. They wish there were no power-cuts, and whoever can afford it uses a generator. Some people even convert their fridges to be used with a gas-cylinder to keep them going.
I don't mean to say that one way of life is better than the other - there is absolutely nothing wrong with sensible use of electricity - but it should make us think about things that are truly important. Like one of the websites stated: Mankind was able to survive without electricity for thousands of years, so why are we so dependent upon it now? Independence means to be able to survive without electricity and to have the knowledge to do this - even if you happen to live in a place where you don't have to worry about the power-supply.
Isn't that inspiring?
Saturday, 18 January 2014
Yemeni Women
Sometimes I am asked how women live in this country. This isn't an easy question because there are huge differences in lifestyle among Yemeni women. Women in the countryside (which is where the majority of people live) are usually uneducated but have a lot of knowledge that city-women lack. Think of agriculture and the keeping of goats, chickens, cows, sheep, or even bees (depending on the area). They often know about herbs and their medicinal qualities, can make ghee out of milk by hand, and can manage perfectly well without electricity. They work hard, these village-women, because there's always plenty to do.
City-women, on the other hand, depend greatly on electrical appliances in their housework, like washing-machines, water-heaters, or mixers in the kitchen. They don't have to bake bread every day since it's sold at the shop around the corner. They don't need to get water at the pump or firewood. Therefore, they have much more free time, which they spend watching TV, attending wedding-parties, or chewing qat. Rich families may have maids to do the housework, which gives the women even more spare time.
Some city-women, especially the younger generation, study or work - mainly in education and medicine. There are many female doctors, dentists, and nurses, for example. There are also some centers for adult-education, where women may learn how to read and write, memorize Quran, or learn how to sew.
In short, it is impossible to talk about 'the' Yemeni woman. The place of residence, level of education, and financial situation greatly influence their life-style.
City-women, on the other hand, depend greatly on electrical appliances in their housework, like washing-machines, water-heaters, or mixers in the kitchen. They don't have to bake bread every day since it's sold at the shop around the corner. They don't need to get water at the pump or firewood. Therefore, they have much more free time, which they spend watching TV, attending wedding-parties, or chewing qat. Rich families may have maids to do the housework, which gives the women even more spare time.
Some city-women, especially the younger generation, study or work - mainly in education and medicine. There are many female doctors, dentists, and nurses, for example. There are also some centers for adult-education, where women may learn how to read and write, memorize Quran, or learn how to sew.
In short, it is impossible to talk about 'the' Yemeni woman. The place of residence, level of education, and financial situation greatly influence their life-style.
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