Unpleasant experience in Yemen [Archives:2003/667/Letters to the Editor]

Arhab Al-Agbari
arhab@aol.com
I lived in the USA for the last five years, and I couldn't wait to go back to my homeland Yemen. I was so glad that at last I got back to my country. But during my first week I was driving across Hadda Street trying to notice what has changed in the last five years. Well, honestly speaking, not much changed to the better. But perhaps some things did change to the worse.
I was stopped by a traffic policeman because I was wearing the seat belt! I was shocked when he asked me why I was wearing the seatbelt, and I was like 'what in world is he asking me?' Then he gradually asked me for money. When I refused, he got mad and wanted to take me to the traffic headquarters. I started laughing and I asked what would be the reason, he replied 'Man, why don't you just give me some money & I'll forget about it.”
I got mad and just took off when the green light went on. He didn't do a thing but yelling in the middle of the road. I asked myself “Will Yemen ever get better than one day?”
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