Asmara Eritrea - June 7 2008

 

Today's early morning tourist tour is a walk through the Deposito and Ferrovia district of Northeast Asmara.

And the last chance to visit friends, family of my wife, to say goodbye, and collect the last packages.

Gebrehiwot gives me a ride to the airport, where I have to check in at 20:30. We say goodbye at the fence that surrounds the airport buildings.

The rest of the procedure is as always: Passport and ticket check at the fence, a scan of all luggage before entry of the airport building, a physical check for arms and explosives. All passengers fill an exit card (there is different cards for foreigners and Eritreans) and a currency declaration form. Check in at the Lufthansa desk. Payment of 20 US$ airport tax. Check of passport and exit form. Third check of passport for any omissions. Check of cabin luggage and currency declaration form ("please show the currency remaining") and a second physical check for arms and explosives. Fourth passport check.

After this check, double check, triple check the passengers will wait in the upstairs modern waiting room surrounded by duty free shops and a small bar, until they are guided to to the embarkation room around midnight. The 250 meter walk to the Lufthansa Airbus are the final 2008 steps on Eritrean soil.

Goodbye Eritrea! We will meet again in May 2009 to celebrate your 18th Independence Day.

 

Local children - Deposito Asmara Eritrea.

Street scenery - Deposito Asmara Eritrea.

View on Geza Kanisha - Deposito Asmara Eritrea.

Mosque - Deposito Asmara Eritrea.

Catholic cemetary - Arbaete Asmara Eritrea.

Apartments - Ferrovia Asmara Eritrea.

Loaded trucks - Ferrovia Asmara Eritrea.

Locomotive under maintainance - Asmara railway station.

Steam shed of the Asmara railway station - Asmara Eritrea.

Nda Mariam Primary School - Asmara Eritrea.

Nda Mariam Primary School - Asmara Eritrea.