Eritrea May / June 2011

 

In 2010 I had to cancel my planned visit to Eritrea. I was really looking forward to visit the annual Festival Eritrea that took place from July 31 until August 8 2010 in the Asmara Expo Grounds. I visited the festival in 2006, and it was one of my nicest experiences in Eritrea.

We bought and moved to a new house instead, a few blocks from the old one. Had to spend all my private holidays and savings to finance, decorate, and furnish the apartment.

May 24 2011 the Eritreans celebrate their 20th Independence Day. Two decades of independence, after a 30 year struggle against Ethiopian colonialism. I have no doubts that this 20th birthday of a proud nation will be celebrated in a very special way, and it is a nice time for a visit.

Nice coincidence: It is my 20th visit to Eritrea as well. And I am still, maybe even more, excited to go there, because until now my experiences always surpassed my expectations.

This years travel diary will again prove that visiting Eritrea is safe, most enjoyable, never boring, and as the Eritreans promote their country: "simply magnificent".

The ten days preceding May 24 are without any doubt the most pleasant ones for a stay in Eritrea, as the Eritreans will celebrate their most important national holiday: their 20th Independence Day.

 

 

"The season of independence signifies the culmination of the long suffering of a people who had been subjected to perhaps arguably a systematic conspiracy of major regional and world superpowers and institutions. In being so, it gives meaning to the suffering endured by the Eritrean people that it was not in vain. But most importantly it confirms nothing is impossible as long as one gives one's heart to the cause. Because that is what the Eritrean people did in the long march towards independence. And that is also why, unlike many, Eritreans attach so high a value in their independence. It is no wonder therefore, trespassing their sovereignty is not as simple and easy as the culprits would find it elsewhere. It is also no wonder that independence holiday is jubilated with much fervor."

Eritrea Profile Saturday 28th of May 2011.

 

Egyptair Airbus - Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport.

Cairo International Airport.

Cairo International Airport.

Asmara International Airport. Warning: taking pictures is not allowed!
This picture is from a brochure of the Eritrean Electric Corporation.

Eritrea May 2011 Independence Day themes.