Asmara Eritrea May 19 2011

 

During the daytime I spend my time refining and checking the data on our Eritrean information pages. It is just a matter of hopping from one hotel to the other, evaluating the screen prints with the receptionist, or manager.

Every once and a while I meet familiar faces. Good reason to have coffee or tea to fresh up my network. Walking the streets of Asmara is a very good exercise, and a good opportunity to meet excitement and local celebrations.

When I pass the Tourism Service Center at Harnet Avenue, I decide to arrange a travel permit for Keren on May 25, so I can leave immediately after the final Independence Day ceremony on May 24. Unfortunately the procedure for those staying in a private house changed. They need a copy of my wife's Eritrean ID as well.

I carry a lot of papers with me, but I was not prepared for this new regulation. I express my astonishment, but rules is rules. So I have to return to our apartment in Denbe Sembel to collect my wife's ID.

When I am back in the center, the Tourism Service Center is closed because of the lunch break. I enter a random bar in the Shuq district and order a large bottle of mineral water.

I feel comfortable with the other guests, and I decide to add a double araki to feel free to dance with them, and participate in the joyful atmosphere. When it is time to return to the Tourism Service Center, I want to pay my bill. It is already paid, by the two men who challenged me to dance.

For the second time in a few hours I am astonished, but this time by a very positive experience.

I finish the paperwork for the travel permit. I will collect it tomorrow.

I have an invitation for Cinema Odeon. Just like yesterday evening I will enjoy the colorful show of Eritrean artists and their dancers, and drama.

 

Alana Fessehaye - Sembel Asmara Eritrea.

Asmara Palace Hotel - Airport Road Asmara Eritrea.

Public Transport Zoba Maakel - Asmara Eritrea.

Bus station - Eritrea Square Asmara Eritrea.

Eritrean - Ethiopian peace proces - Bahti Meskerem Square.

Decorated shop - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Selam,Nazret, and Tekie - Tsge Bar Akele Guzay Street Asmara Eritrea.

Customer Tsge Bar - Akele Guzay Street Asmara Eritrea.

Covered Markets - Shuq Asmara Eritrea.

Decorated shop - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Independence Day decorations - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Small scale transport - 174-21 Street Asmara Eritrea.

Pizzeria Eritrea - 174-21 Street Asmara Eritrea.

Total fuel station decorated bar - Cinema Roma area Asmara Eritrea.

Asmara English School - Cinema Roma area Asmara Eritrea.

Blue Bird Restaurant - Shida Square Asmara Eritrea.

Decorated fashion shop - Knowledge Street Asmara Eritrea.

Illuminated Asmara Palace Hotel - Airport Road Asmara Eritrea.