Keren Eritrea (Keren Lalay) - November 27 2007

 

I start my hike, following the Keren - Agordat track of the railway at the path to Keren Lalay. The first two kilometers give plenty of hints: rails planted vertically, sleepers that are used as fences, even a signpost survived more then forty years of abandonment.

When leaving the town, the railway track is hidden under farmland, and I have to give up my original plan, after circling for half an hour to pick up the railway track again.

I choose the asphalt road instead, passing the British war cemetery and a statue of a Madonna on top of a Roman pillar. I follow the road for an hour, descending the Keren plateau, enjoying the rough landscape of the Dongolas Gorge with its rocky, gnarled mountainsides.

After following the road for an hour, I turn back, uphill. A truck driver offers me a ride, standing on the ladder behind the cabin. My feet have some rest, but to hold tight to the truck is more tiresome then walking uphill, so I resume my hike on foot.

At the checkpoint the military make a friendly inquiry about my walk, checking my travel permit. I guess they want to confirm that I am a true tourist. I share my chewing gum and today's travel story with them. When I point at my belly, they are convinced that I need this daily exercise.

In Ghenet's tea bar next to the Hollywood hotel I have some rest and a few cups of tea. I have lunch in the Kidane Asgedom Bar and Fast-food Restaurant. A spicy scrambled omelet with some bread.

In the afternoon, I visit the shrine of Mariam Dearit, with Mebrat, keeping a promise. Under the trees in front of the chapel, a woman invites to join her coffee ceremony and eat some injera.

 

Railway shed - Keren Eritrea.

Tank grave yard - Keren Lalay Eritrea.

Lonely signal post of former railway line - Keren Lalay Eritrea.

Scattered houses - Keren Lalay Eritrea..

Hollywood hotel - Keren Lalay Eritrea.

Minibus terminal - Keren Lalay Eritrea.

Traditional houses - Keren Lalay Eritrea.

Road to Agordat - Keren Lalay Eritrea

.

Keren war cemetery (British Army) - Keren Lalay Eritrea.

Maria statue - Road to Agordat Eritrea.

Rough landscape of the Dongolas Gorge - Road to Agordat Eritrea.