Asmara Eritrea May 18 2011

 

Buses are usually crowded in Asmara. And if you like to live as an Eritrean, and make the ride from Sembel to the center for a Nakfa, it may happen that you just catch the bus, but your rucksack doesn't. Fortunately the the "hanzap, hanzap" (stop the bus!) of the passengers around me alarm the driver. The back door re-opens, and my rucksack is in as well.

One of the straps however does not survive the adventure, so first thing to do is to have it repaired in one of the many tailor shops in the Shuq district, not far from the bus terminal. I don't need many words to explain the tailor what I want. With a few efficient stitches, he re-unites the strap with the rucksack.

When I ask him the price, he makes a gesture that it is free of charge. Isn't that a miracle in on of the poorest nations on earth dealing with a rich tourist?

In a nearby bar I order four tea for myself and the three workers in the tailors workshop. We drink tea, and I am asked if I enjoy the celebrations. It is enough to leave my 20th Independence Day business card. The tailor reads the text in Tigrinya and proudly pins the card on the wall behind him.

Next is a visit to the Housing and Commerce Bank. Isak, who is working for the IT Department updates me from the Tigrinya newspaper for the entire Independence Day program up to May 24, and the manager of the HCB joins us, asking if I need any further assistance.

They make some phone calls to the PFDJ office. My invitation for the main event on May 24 in Asmara Stadium must be waiting for me somewhere (this time I am on the list of guests) but still I have no idea where it is. I get the details on time & place to collect my invitation.

I spend the rest of the day checking the data on our Eritrean information pages, by visiting the various hotels, restaurants and other service providers in Asmara. In most hotels the receptionists kindly checks the 2010 data, and in some I am invited into the managers office to drink some tea or coffee with hembesha or pastry.

By walking from hotel to hotel, I hope to meet people, and walking is an excellent way to breath the independence day atmosphere, and have a good look at the various banners and decorations.

Workers and trucks of the municipality of Asmara maintain the main roads, the palms, and illumination in the center of Asmara, to assure a perfect background during next days celebrations. More stages are aded on the pavements of Harnet Avenue.

In Terhas Pizzeria Eritrea, a few streets behind the fish market, I have the usual number 10 pizza for dinner.

I have an invitation for the evening show in Cinema Odeon. Like last year, it is not allowed to bring in camera's for the regular visitors. I enjoy the colorful show of singers, dancers, and drama.

After the show, I join the Asmarino's gathering on Harnet Avenue, the bouncing heart of Asmara, where musicians play on several stages, surrounded by dancing youngsters, celebrating Independence Day until midnight.

 

Independence Day banner - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Harnet Avenue counting down to Independence Day - Asmara Eritrea.

Karaoke stage - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Decorated PTZM bus - Mede Ertra bus station Asmara Eritrea.

Independence Day banners - Public Transport Zoba Maakel.

Decorated gate - Warsay Street Asmara Eritrea.

Independence Day decortions - Blue Bird Restaurant - Shida Squarea Asmara Eritrea.

Decorated Eritel Office - Semaetat Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Decorated Moderna Bar & Pastry - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Waitresses - Spaghetti House - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Waitress - Spaghetti House - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Decorated Bar Royal - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Souvenir stall - Shuq District Asmara Eritrea

Ministries offices - Airport Road Asmara Eritrea.

Massawa Pizzeria and Fast Food Restaurant - Gejeret Asmara Eritrea.

Midian Hotel - Nyala area Asmara Eritrea.

Independence Day illumination - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Independence Day decorations - Blue Bird Restaurant - Shida Squarea Asmara Eritrea.