Keren Eritrea May 30 2011

 

 When I walk through the center of Keren, I walk into one of the may tea bars. I have tea with Abdul, who tells me that this bar is a historical place. In 1961 it was the HQ of the Muslim League.

In a pastry I buy two mini pizza's for lunch. I do not want to disturb Hansu, because besides her work, she also has to take care of her very old mother, her husband and Bereket. I love her shiro, but she should not hurry because I am hungry.

Because it is getting very hot in the afternoon, I stroll from one bar to another, drinking lots of mineral water.

As every day I pass the bar on the pavement in front of the Red Sea Hotel. The first day I received a smile from one of the waitresses, the second day a kiss, the third day three kisses.

Today she invites me to come in, and sit in a more quiet spot with her. Time to tell her with some diplomacy that I am already married to an Eritrean woman. Woyni does not speak any English, so I can never be sure what she wants from me, but just in case she is dreaming of a better future with a white man in Europe, I think it is better to discourage her now, so nobody is hurt.

I am in the happy circumstance that I am invited to join a group that will return to Asmara with a comfortable Toyota Land cruiser. I only feel sorry for the fact that I get the most comfortable front seat, where all the women have to sit in the back, even packed between the luggage.

I am well in time for the trip to Asmara. But we will first visit the Keren market, where the women do some shopping. One of them brings me a Coca Cola. For the fourth or the fifth time it reminds me that I should be smarter and offer them a drink, before they can pay mine.

On our way to Asmara, I have to share my business class seat with three chickens. I do my best not to hurt them. Around Elabered, Eritrea's plantation area, the Toyota Land cruiser is transformed into a vegetable truck: carrots, cabbage, lemons, water melons, and various other local agricultural products are stowed away in, and on the roof of the car.

When we make a stop not far from Asmara, to have a drink and something to eat, I have my lessons learned, and I do my best to pay well in advance for all the women and the driver.

  

Workshops - Keren Eritrea.

Telecommunications and Post office - Keren Eritrea.

Camel carrying building materials - Keren Eritrea.

 

San Antonio Catholic Church - Keren Eritrea.

Catholic Cathedral - Keren Eritrea.

Former HQ of the Muslim League - Keren Eritrea.

Albergo Cicilia - Keren Eritrea.

Asmara Hotel - Keren Eritrea.

Shops - Keren Erittrea.

Market - Keren Eritrea.

Bar & Restaurant Anna - Keren Eritrea.

Commercial Bank of Eritrea - Giro Fiori Keren Eritrea.

Giro Fiori - Keren Eritrea.

Red Sea Hotel - Giro Fiori Keren Eritrea.

Waitress - Red Sea Hotel Keren Eritrea.

 

Keren Hotel - Keren Eritrea.

Men selling sliced water melon - Keren Eritrea.

Vegetable market - Keren Eritrea.

Mosque - Keren Eritrea.

Taylor shops - Keren Eritrea.

Hidat and her girlfriend - Keren Eritrea.

Hidat and her girlfriend - Keren Eritrea.

Road to Asmara - Keren Eritrea.

Bus terminal - Keren Eritrea.