Asmara Eritrea - May 20th 2007

 

I haven't heart of any program on this Sunday, so I decide to visit hotels and other tourism service providers, to update my web pages. I am lucky to start in the northern part of town, where I run into a bicycle race. I watch the sportsmen rounding their laps on Afabet Street for a short time. I guess the only excitement is for those who know them.

There is a lot of activity in Harnet Avenue in the afternoon. Stages are being built and the street is closed for all traffic.

After finishing my work in the early evening the street is crowded with Asmarino's and various artists are performing on three stages. The police and military is keeping an eye on the public around the stages to guarantee some order and safety for both the artists and the public.

The main street is illuminated with strings of light forming various short messages in Tigrinya and Arabic, colorful braches with leaves, stars, sixteen, and the Eritrean emblem: a camel surrounded by a wreath.

Every once and a while I slip through the cordon, indicating I am moving forward to make a picture. It is okay. The police is happy to see a tourist showing so much interest in their Independence Party, and satisfied when I show them the resulting picture on the LED display of my camera.

I mix with the crowd to dance and celebrate for two hours. At 21:00 the party is finished. Time to have some Asmara beers before going home.

 

Bicycle race - Afabet Street Asmara Eritrea.

Bicycle race - Afabet Street Asmara Eritrea.

Workshops, offices and apartments - Eritrea Square Asmara Eritrea.

Ibrahim Sultan Secondary School - Beleza Street Asmara Eritrea.

Aster - City Center Snackbar - Asmara Eritrea.

Asmarino''s strolling the main street - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Performances and dance - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Performances and dance - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

City Park by night - Semaetat Avenue Asmara Eritrea.