Tree of Life

Today, I had the opportunity to participate in a cultural experience in a very unique place. I was invited along on a goodwill luncheon between some of out management team and the military commander whose unit is contracted to protect us. The luncheon was held about 15 minutes drive from camp at a place called the "Tree of Life". In the middle of the barren plains out here is a massive sinkhole that has produced some very vibrant trees. The hole is about 50 ft across and about 40 ft deep. The hole must collect immense amounts of water when it rains as water does not soak into the ground here; it runs to the lowest spot and collects. Swallowing these amounts of water on the rare occasion of rain is enough to sustain life in an otherwise very unwilling environment.

As for lunch, we feasted in the traditional Yemeni way (no utensils or napkins...or chairs in this instance) on fresh goat, rice and bread. The hygiene was a bit lacking, but the food turned out to be quite good. The goat was slaughtered this morning for the occasion.