In the morning I was walking to the Saudi Embassy for the third time. They asked me to deposit my camera bag outside (little shop opposite will do that for 50 rials – they look honest).
Then I passed for the first time the solid embassy gate… 9.00 There were like 40 Yemenis waiting in the little courtyard – I was the only foreigner… Mr Consul came quarter past… They showed me the way to the window. The guy in the window operating PC computer do not speak english – so they wanted me to go to the translator – local Yemeni. He explained: if you want transit visa you must buy and bring here an air ticket! Why? I want to go by bus! I know that twice each week the bus to Jeddah is departing from the agency located just opposite to the embassy. It cost just 4500 rials!… Then I want to travel by ferry to Egypt…
-Sorry, a year ago it was possible to issue such a transit visa. Now we have new computer system and there is no “land-entry” option for transit… I tried to explain that the air ticket cost more then 200 USD… The staff in the white galabiyas did not care. No further discussion… Should I believe what Mr Consul said?
Internet is inexpensive in Sana – I pay 60-90 per hour of slow connection. In the afternoon I visited interestin National Museum located in the old palace – they charge 500 YER entry fee but it is worth to be there…
Is the visa game over? I do not think so… Tomorrow will be next challenge…
