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Praying Between The Lines (32)
ViktorVaughn Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 406 W: 56 N: 354] (1481)
I was taking photos of this beautiful mosque in the narrow streets of the old city of Ibb when one of the vendors asked if I wanted to go inside.

This doesn't always happen in Yemen (or elsewhere in the Middle East), where alot of mosques are off limits to non-muslims. So I said yes, quite excitedly...he closed his shop (i.e. shut the wooden doors of his little store) and walked me to the mosque. He showed me around the inside and other interesting things. He then pointed up to the minaret and asked if I wanted to go to the top.

I said sure, and he quickly ran off leaving me standing in the middle of the mosque, the only westerner. Five minutes later, he re-appeared with a young teenage boy who I guess was the key master. He took out this old fashioned key ring (with the huge brass rings) and unlocked the old door to the minaret. We climbed in and started walking up the spiral staircase. It was completely pitch-black, as we walked up the dark uneven stairs. We eventually got to the top of the minaret, and I could see right into the mosque.

It was an amazing view of the old city, and directly into the mosque where some people were praying. I spotted this man praying alone, and I liked the lines. Shortly after this, the call to prayer started blaring in my ear (as I was in the minaret right beside the loudspeaker). It was one of the coolest moments of my trip.

I will post more photos from this day, and this gorgeous mosque. Unfortunately I'm not sure the name of it, as there were probably 5 or 6 in the city.

I posted a workshop photo of the young teenage boy. Unfortunately it was bright mid-day lighting, so all kinds of shadows but wanted to show this friendly Yemeni.
Altered Image #1

ViktorVaughn Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 406 W: 56 N: 354] (1481)
My Yemeni Friend
Edited by:ViktorVaughn Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 406 W: 56 N: 354] (1481)
He got the keys and guided me up to the top of the minaret where I was able to take the posted photo.

As I said, the lighting was tough, and I couldn't get a more natural shot, but he went out of his way to show me the minaret, I thought I'd post this.