Asmara Eritrea - February 16 2017
When I visit the souk area early in the morning, it starts to rain again. Perfect for Eritrean agriculture, but not or my camera. I take shelter in the first shop I pass. It is a small tailor shop. I apologize to the tailor. "Sit down" is his hospitable answer, offering me a chair. I wait for the rain to stop, having a nice chat with him.
When the rain is over I try to find a stationary to make a copy of my passport and visa, for the application for the travel permit to Debarwa (the need a copy that shows the entry stamp). It isn't easy to find a facility, The shops are closed, or do not have a photo copier, or no electricity. I should have made some spare copies in advance. But I do not have a program for today anyway.
In the Tourism Service Center I meet two Italian tourists who are in Eritrea for a ten day visit. They have some difficulty to make a program, as they are relying on their Lonely Planet guide. We exchange some ideas and interesting destinations, both in Asmara, and to other towns that are a must see for the tourist. Just like me the Italians are told to return at 16:00 to check their permit. In the meantime they will have to spend their time in Asmara, checking the Lonely Planet guide for some entertainment and sights.
I find my lunch on the steets of Asmara: roasted maize, banana's, oranges. “He who eats alone, dies alone,” says a Tigrigna proverb, so I share the fruits with some kids who are involved in small scale trade near the Massawa busses. The kids go to school either in the morning or the afternoon so the class rooms and teachers receive two shifts per day. efficient utilisation of scarce educational resources, and the kids do not have to leave school to go to work. They can engage in education and small business, that will add to the family income.
In Edaga Arbi I meet one of the staff of the Mai Habar old people's home, I visited in December 2006. He introduces me to his wife who has a small stall selling shoes and clothes. We have a short chat about his brother who is now in Israel. His brother isn't happy there and wants to go to Europe. But how? I cannot help him with any suggestions. And I am not motivated to do so either. Many of the Eritreans who came to Europe recently that I know, did not find what they expected, as wealth does not come by itself and a trip to Europe, but success requires education and perseverance, and patience.
At 16:00 I am back at the Tourism Service Center. The permits did not arrive yet. I have to return at 18:00. Just enough time for a small diner in one of my favorite restaurants. And a chat with the locals. About Eritrea, and their plans to migrate to Europe. It is hot to migrate to Europe. A lot of friends that gave me hospitality during the previous visits, are now in Norway, Sweden, Italy, The Netherlands, and the USA, many of them without a job, surviving on a small government allowance, dreaming of Eritrea and the yearly festivals organized in the Diaspora, where they can enjoy their music and traditions for a moment.
At 18:00 there is no travel permit for Debarwa. Nor an explanation why it was not granted. I think the reason is the fact that the previous two destinations are on the Eagle Travel documents, and the private second application is not allowed, and I have to add Debarwa to the original application. It is to late to change my plans, as I am leaving February 18. So I have to rely on plan B to have some fun for the next two days.
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Small Scale trade - Aayget Street Abbashaul Asmara Eritrea.
Steetside roasted corn - Afabet Steet Abbashaul Asmara Eritrea.
Asmara Bus Company Oldtimer - Afabet Steet Abbashaul Asmara Eritrea.
Asmara Bus Company logo.
Small scale trade - Afabet Street Edaga Hamus Asmara Eritrea.
Salena! (picture me!) - Massawa busses Asmara Eritrea.
Salena! (picture me!) - Massawa busses Asmara Eritrea.
Salena! (picture me!) - Massawa busses Asmara Eritrea.
Harat public bus - Massawa busses Asmara Eritrea.
Small scale trade - Edaga Hamus Asmara Eritrea.
Harat public bus - Afabet Steet Abbashaul Asmara Eritrea.
Anewaem Pension - Afabet Street Edaga Hamus Asmara Eritrea.
Berhane Farm Store - Afabet Street Asmara Eritrea.
Chicken and eggs market - Afabet Street Edaga Hamus Asmara Eritrea.
Covered markets - Souk Asmara Eritrea.
Salena! (picture me!) - Souk Asmara Eritrea.
Souvenirs shop - Souk Asmara Eritrea.
Traditional men's cloths - Tailor shop Asmara Eritrea.
Cinema Impero - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.
Fish & Vegatable Market - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.
Municipality of Asmara - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.
Al Khulafa Al Rashiudin Mosque - Selam Street Asmara Eritrea.
Adi Keyh Pension - Nakfa Avenue Asmara Eritrea.
Rita Bar Gurgussum - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.
