Looking from a distance, it was easy to miss the old town of Thulla. Many of these mountain towns were built entirely from rocks that were foraged from the mountain. The rocks look more like natural formations than a lively village [above].

When you enter this mountain town by one of its seven walled gates [left], you will be treated to a surprise. The random rock formations that were viewed at a distance turn out to be elaborately decorated and constructed homes [below left] . We noticed that many of these designs contained the Star-of-David, a reminder that this was once the home of Yemeni Jews.

Thulla has one of the most beautiful yet small suqs in the area. Narrow alleys and streets are lined with little shops [left]. Young girls sell beautiful silks and colorful weaves while less established vendors offer rare items dug up from the depths of Thulla's past.

We were offered an old alabaster window [left], inscribed with a rare and ornate form of Hebrew. We were unable to read it but we photographed the artifact in detail.

Thulla has the reputation of being the most well preserved of the ancient mountain towns. It was clean and the children in the suq spoke an amazing assortment of European languages. We were often amazed that young children all over Yemen would be able to converse with us in perfect English. This was true even in remote villages like Thulla.

Though still just a young woman, 12 year old Zum Zum is a card carrying tourguide. She spoke perfect English and Arabic, as well as other Euorpean dialects.

Thulla was a good way to spend the afternoon. There was a famous museum in the town but it was closed. This didn't bother us as the whole town was actually a living museum of mountain life as it was over the past millennia.