Asmara - November 15 2009

 

After tea and breakfast I pack my rucksack to spend the Sunday for family visits.

I planned to take a bus, because they are not so crowded on Sundays, but if I hear the announcement "Tiravolo, Tiravolo" from one of the taxi windows, I cannot resist the temptation to choose the taxi for a few extra Nakfa's.

My fellow passenger will continue to Sembel as well. I give the taxi driver an extra five Nakfa to join them for the last three kilometers.

From the taxi stand in the Corea Housing Complex I walk to the building where my sister in law lives with her two children Tomas and Eden.

I have told Eden of the family in Afabet. She did her best to keep the Eritel scratch cards that will be sold in The Netherlands to contribute to the fund raising for the unhappy family.

I show her the leaflet in Tigrinya about the family. I carry it with me all the time, so I can explain that my trip is not just having fun and lots of sun, but also some other meaningful goals.

Eden and her mother are happy. The collectors of the telephone cards will be happy with the cards. The family in Afabet with their money.

Almaz will do some shopping for Mebrat. I can find the products myself, but Almaz is familiar with the quality and the prices.

Ten blocks further I visit Feshaye and Terhas. Just by coincidence I planned my visit on Elilta's birthday. Unfortunately I did not bring a present. I leave some Nakfa with Terhas to buy her one.

Terhas gives me some suggestions for my agenda. She confirms there will be a church feast tomorrow at Saint Georghis Orthodox Church in Gejeret. She will also witness the Saint Nicolas feast at the residence of the Dutch ambassador on December 5. We drink tea and eat some cake.

I take a taxi to Harnet Avenue and a walk to Edaga Arbi from there for more family visits. On my way I meet Zerai. Ten years ago he returned to Eritrea. Together we walk to Edaga Arbi. Zerai tells me about his life in Eritrea. Life is hard.

I drink tea with Tabotu, Gorzit and Lulia (diamond) Gorzit's two years old daughter. We eat minestrone soup.

Back in town I visit Rita's Bar Gurgusum. Rita is an Eritrean lady with an Italian temperament. If she is in, it is busy in her bar. If she is not in, it is quiet. Rita has a few seconds to chat with everyone. If the visitors make trouble, she will jump between them as a tiger.

After my visit to Rita's bar, I visit David Wand in his hotel. It is his first day in Eritrea as an NGO worker. I show him some of my favorite spots and we eat a pizza in Terhas pizzeria Eritrea.

 

Mede Ertra Bus terminal - Asmara Eritrea.

Coffee ceremony with Almaz and Eden - Asmara Eritrea.

Apartments - Corea Housing Complex Asmara Eritrea.

Terhas, Elilta, Fesehaye and Hiab - Asmara Eritrea.

Elilta's birthday banner.

Apartments - Corea Housing Complex Asmara Eritrea.

Firewood - Edaga Arbi Asmara Eritrea.

Post office - Edaga Arbi Asmara Eritrea.

Shop and workshops - Edaga Arbi Asmara Eritrea.

Shop - Edaga Arbi Asmara Eritrea.

Rita and her happy guests - Bar Gurgusum Asmara Eritrea.