Adi Sogdo Eritrea - December 07 2007

 

Adi Sogdo is a small village just behind Villagio andBiet Makae on the western edge of Asmara. Entering the village is like going back one hundred years back in Asmara's history: cattle, donkeys, chicken and goats dominate street life. Modest houses, informal streets, rural life.

I guess foreigners seldom visit this village, although so close to Asmara. For the children I am a welcome excitement. They follow me everywhere, asking my name and my age. When I turn around, and suddenly am behind them they spread in all directions.

I try to make a picture of the local super market, they all pose in front of it, waiting for me to make their picture. I wait patiently, until they are gone, but their patience wins. Then I point the camera in the opposite direction. The children hurry to the other side of the street. And I have my picture of the supermarket.

People are standing in the door opening and watch my attempts to redirect their children with the help of my camera, and share the fun of this simple game. I brought some gifts for the smallest children (some inflatable gadgets). They are happy with the small gift.

When strolling through the village, I meet an Eritrean boy from Frankfurt, Germany. He tells me his parents sent him to Eritrea because of his bad behavior. He is now staying with his family for a few months. He tells me about his life in Germany, and the lessons learned in Eritrea.

In a small and crowded public bus I return to the center of Asmara. An Eritrean lady sitting next to me looks at my camera bag. She is joking, and wants me to bring her to Europe, inside this bag. I promise I will bring her if she succeeds to make herself small enough.

After a short break in the Damera Bar, I make a long walk to the Asmara Expo, Corea Housing Complex, Godaif, and the Ring Road passing Mai Chehot and Bahti Meskerem, to complete today's exercise and to visit friends and family.

 

Abune Philippos Orthodox Church - Adi Sogdo Eritrea.

Water supply - Adi Sogdo Eritrea.

Donkey cart - Adi Sogdo Eritrea.

Local super market - Adi Sogdo Eritrea.

Shops - Adi Sogdo Eritrea.

Hadas and Selam (Damera Bar) - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Freweyni - Asmara Eritrea.

Sahel Street - The four lane Western Ring Road of Asmara is
one of the examples of the improvement of urban infrastructure.
.

Gorzit with her baby - Asmara Eritrea.

Vegetable market - Asmara Eritrea.