Asmara Eritrea May 14 2011

 

The touch down of the Egyptair Airbus at Asmara International Airport at 3:00 in the morning is approved by the passengers with applause.

Check, check, double check, triple check by strict and friendly immigration officers.

At 4:00 I take a very expensive taxi to my apartment in the Corea Housing Complex. If it wasn't for my luggage, I could just as well walk the two kilometers to the house.

I try to have some sleep, but I am to excited

 On my way from the Sembel Residence to the Center of Asmara, my attention is drawn by an unusual lively Expo area. A lot of people and music usually means there is something to celebrate. Good reason to enter the compound, to find out what's going on in there.

I am happy to be invited into and witness an exhibition, that is part of a symposium organized by the Eritrean Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare, under the theme ´Eritrea 20 years of Dignity´. The exhibition highlights the activities of the ministry over the past 20 years.

Once invited, I am treated as a special guest. Several organizations proudly show me their presentation, explaining what they are doing to educate, train, take care of those who are blind, deaf, handicapped, old, or ill.

The last presentation looks a bit simple on first sight, but to my surprise it is Obey with a delegation of the Mai Habar elder care center I visited in 2006. They still remember me, and it is like a family reunion. No need to say that I have to share their coffee ceremony.

When I get out to find myself a drink in one of the many bars and restaurants in the Expo area, I encounter several wedding photo shoots. Marrying couples and their families have chosen the photogenic Expo park to make a set of nice pictures.

Back in the exhibition hall, I am invited to witness the seminar and closing event that will start at 14:30 after the lunch break.

I find my lunch in one of the small restaurants on the Expo compound, and patiently wait until it's time for the seminar to start.

I do not understand much of the presentations and resulting discussion in Tigrynia, but I enjoy the musical shows of the students, and I am touched by the mere fact that I am invited by the ministry representatives to join their happy event on the occasion of 20th Independence Day.

It reminds me why I am here in Eritrea: hospitality is one of Eritrea's best characteristics, it will always exceed your expectations, and it makes you feel at home from day one.

 

Medeber Textile - Exhibition of the Eritrean Ministry
 of Labor and Human Welfare - Asmara Expo.

Disabled Workshop Denden - Exhibition of the Eritrean
Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare - Asmara Expo.

Eritrean National Association of the Blind - Exhibition of the
 Eritrean Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare - Asmara Expo.

Abraha Bahta School for the Blind - Exhibition of the Eritrean
 Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare - Asmara Expo.

School books & educational materials - Exhibition of the Eritrean
Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare - Asmara Expo.

Melete (bride) & (brides maid) Semhar - Expo compound Asmara.

Photo session of Dawit & Bisrat wedding - Expo compound Asmara.

Asmara Orphanage Toy Factory - Exhibition of the Eritrean
Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare - Asmara Expo.

Natsenet Selemun Textile Embroidery - Exhibition of the Eritrean
 Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare - Asmara Expo.

Eritrean National War Disabled Veteran Association - Exhibition of
 the Eritrean Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare - Asmara Expo.

Eritrean National Association of the Deaf - Exhibition of the Eritrean
 Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare - Asmara Expo.

Kebede Tedeses contemporary handicraft at the exhibition of
the Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare in the Asmara Expo.

Meles Zenawi (Prime Minister of Ethiopia) crowned
for his role in the African Union and UN.
Wood carving by an Eritrean Meles Zenawi worshipper.

´Salena!´ (picture us!) Luwam and Selam - Asmara Expo.

Information session & discussion - Symposium of the Eritrean
Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare- Asmara Expo.

Students performances - Symposium of the Eritrean
Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare - Asmara Expo.