Asmara Eritrea June 01 2011

 

Early in the morning I start the day with some shopping. At Classic Pastry, the Pasticciere next to the Berhe Aiba Hotel opposite to the Denbe Corea Housing Complex, I buy some fresh breads.

Next to the bakery shop, a woman is selling only one product: fresh tomatoes. I ask her the price of the tomatoes. However facing a rich tourist, she charges me the correct price. I watch the scale of the balance. The pointer of the balance just passed the 1kg. Nevertheless she adds an extra tomato, as a bonus.

I am touched. No cheating, no tourist surcharge. Even something extra, because she is proud and happy that I am her customer. Eritrea, simply magnificent.

Back home we have breakfast and I drink coffee with Mebrat, her mother, and her girlfriend. Mebrat tells me that there will be a small family reunion this afternoon in Edaga Arbi in the house of the bridegroom. A kind of extension of the wedding, for the close family only.

Therefore I concentrate today's walks in the the Edaga Hamus area (Nacfa Street and surroundings).

In the just renovated Tofik Bar & Pastry, I have my favorite food: mini pizza, a small flat bread, decorated with pepper, tomato, and onion. I don't forget to invite my two table mates, Bekita and Almaz.

they will be happy if I can invite them to the Netherlands, but paying the bills and teach them some tactics to catch a guy is all I can do for them.

Asmara is covered by a sand storm. The sky is filled by extremely fine particels of sand, creating a kind of fog. It irritates my eyes. I use mineral water of my drinks to clean and wetting my eyes.

The afternoon is for the follow-up of the May 20 - 21 marriage in the family house in Edaga Arbi. A lunch (pasta for me, they did not forget!) and traditional coffee. 

 

 

Traditional coffee - Corea Housing Complex Asmara Eritrea.

Modern apartments - Corea Housing Complex Asmara Eritrea.

Modern apartments - Corea Housing Complex Asmara Eritrea.

Modern offices - Corea Housing Complex Asmara Eritrea.

Sembel Hospital - Corea Housing Complex Asmara Eritrea.

 

Afabet Avenue - Asmara Eritrea.

View from the shops - Afabet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Tofic Cafe - Afabet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Family reunion - Edaga Arbi Asmara Eritrea.

Traditional coffee ceremony - Edaga Arbi Asmara Eritrea.

Modern Crystal Hotel - Cinema Roma area Asmara Eritrea.

Italian villas - Bihat Street / 175-2 Street Asmara Eritrea.

Antique movie equipment - Cinema Roma Asmara Eritrea.

 

Nyala Hotel - Sematat Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Bristol Pension - 175-4 Street Asmara Eritrea.

Islamic school - Beleza Street Asmara Eritrea.