Eritrea May 27 2016 - The various grave yards and Haz Haz

 

I check the Oasis Travel agency for any tours in the coming days. Here I meet Hendrik from Berlin. His tour was literally washed away by yesterdays rains (Filfil road is closed due to a landslide). He planned to visit the tank graveyard instead. Adiam, the Oasis manager suggests we go together, as I am familiar with Asmara. Daniel, the Oasis driver will give us a ride to the site, so we only have to walk back. At the grave yard we study the scrap for USSR, US and Ethiopian logo's and other curiosities.

On our way back to the center we visit the Patriot's cemetery with its white marble graves, the Italian cemetery with its well tended graves, The nearby Saint Michael Church, and the chicken and egg market in the center, close to the Kidane Mehret church. After our lunch break (fruit juices in Salim Fast Food Restaurant) I have to think of another interesting destination. I suggest to take a random bus to make it a surprise trip. Just to see what it brings us. Of course the random choice is mine, and I know the destination. We wait for the #6 bus to Haz Haz. We have to be patient and there is a lot of people waiting, but I promise Hendrik it will be worth to wait. When we are close to Haz Haz it starts to rain.

When we reach Haz Haz there is no other option than to take shelter in the small Haz Haz bus stop. Just when I am wondering if it was a good idea to travel out of Asmara in this weather condition, the rain stops, and we start our walk through Haz Haz. When we reach the first traditional Haz Haz houses its starts to rain again. One of the Haz Haz families invites us to come in to take shelter. We are treated as special guests. The family serves tea with hembesha. And we are invited to join the coffee ceremony. Again the sky opens and heavy rains challenge the conical roof of the house. The water is collected in baskets to use it for washing.

The family tells us that they have family members in Germany, but they lost contact. Hendrik takes the most recent contact data and promises he will try to restore the contact. I make some pictures after asking permission from the family. After the coffee ceremony, and when the rain stops, we leave the family, who tell us they are very happy with our visit. And so are we with the typical Eritrean hospitality. The 'random' #6 bus again proved that a visit to Eritrea will always exceed your expectations.

 We walk the alleys of Haz Haz and enjoy the views from upper Haz Haz before we return on foot to the center of Asmara. The road is going downhill so the walk is a piece of cake.

In the center of Asmara Hendrik will return to his hotel to prepare for tonight's flight, leaving Eritrea. I will have a simple meal before I have a 6 PM meeting in Albergo Italia with Demoz and his girlfriend Selam.

 

Tank Graveyard - Asmara Eritrea.

Tank Graveyard - Asmara Eritrea.

Tank Graveyard - Asmara Eritrea.

Tank Graveyard - Asmara Eritrea.

Asmara Martyrs Cemetery - Asmara Eritrea.

Asmara Martyrs Cemetery - Asmara Eritrea.

Italian Cemetery - Asmara Eritrea.

Italian War Cemetery - Asmara Eritrea.

Saint Michael Orthodox Church - Senita Area Asmara Eritrea.

University of Asmara - Mai Bela Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Former A.A. e F.Cicero - Abahani Street Asmara Eritrea.

Chicken and egg market - Adi Quala Street Street Asmara Eritrea.

Chicken and egg market - Adi Quala Street Street Asmara Eritrea.

Salem Restaurant - Eritrea Square Asmara Eritrea.

PTZM bus to Haz Haz - Afabet Street Asmara Eritrea.

Traditional houses - Haz Haz Asmara Eritrea.

Coffee ceremony with a Haz Haz family - Haz Haz Asmara Eritrea.

Salem Restaurant - Eritrea Square Asmara Eritrea.

Coptic Church - Haz Haz Asmara Eritrea.

Road to Haz Haz - Haz Haz Asmara Eritrea.