Asmara Eritrea - October 1st 2004

 

Today is reserved for private activities that will last until 12:00. I take a bus to the center of Asmara. Halfway the bus has to make an emergency stop for a pedestrian or a cyclist crossing in front of it. Some Eritrean women bounce against my back. I am launched into a group of women in front of me.

One of them, standing behind me, continues to hug my body. And when we leave the bus on Harnet Avenue, she invites me to have a lunch in the Ambassador Hotel. A bit suspicious, I ask her why she wants me to lunch with her. "You don't like me?" I tell her that I like her, but I am not supposed to bring women as souvenirs. My wife will not allow that. The message is clear.

The rest of the afternoon I walk in the center of Asmara, trying to find the places of interest in my travel guide. With a perfect climate, friendly people, remarkable architecture and spotless, safe streets, Asmara is a pleasant place for long walks.

Palazzo Falletta, the name suggests a palace, but it is the building with the Alitalia banner on the roof. I must have passed it more then 100 times, not knowing its name. Bar Zilli opposite to the Shida Monument, not only a building of archaeological interest, but also a nice place to have a drink and have some rest.

From there in a big circle back to the markets behind the bus station. There I buy some oranges in a stall. I use a wooden crate as a chair and, eating the oranges, I observe the people doing their shopping.

I visit the compound of the Enda Mariam Coptic church. People are praying in front of it. Others, so handicapped that they are unable to stand, are asking for some change. Here I keep my promise to Rick Fortney. I sit down under a tree in one of the corners of the compound, just watching the people.

In Pizzeria and fast food restaurant The Sun I have a lasagna for diner. And when it gets dark I visit Bar Selas to have some dark beers and tease Freweini with my camera. I peel the Asmara Stout beer labels from the bottles for Hendrik Thomann. 

Children are selling roasted peanuts for a Nakfa. Others have cigarettes as merchandize. I share the peanuts with the men at my table, making pictures and fun. Many people know me here now, and are greeting me when I am walking on the streets of Asmara.

 

Pizza and spaghetti house - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Coffee ceremony (painting) - Telecommunications office Asmara Eritrea.

Bar Zilli - Shida Square Asmara Eritrea.

Palazzo Falletta - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Bus station at Eritrea Square - Asmara Eritrea.

Nda Mariam Orthodox Cathedral - Asmara Eritrea.

Nda Mariam Orthodox Cathedral - Asmara Eritrea.

Pizzeria and fast food restaurant The Sun - Asmara Eritrea.

  

Friends, Bar Selas - Asmara Eritrea.

Boy selling cigarettes and chewing gum, Bar Selas - Asmara Eritrea.