Asmara June 2nd 2001

 

Solomon, the brother of Mebrat has asked me to come to his school. He will try to get a permit to visit the former Kagnew Station, which is now called the Den Den Camp. I have been told they use the camp as residence and offices for the Eritrean military. You need a permit to get in and even then it is not allowed to make pictures. We wait for some time at the gate of the Den Den Camp. They cannot find the right person at this moment. We will have to come back later.

I ask one of the very old taxi's to bring me back to my apartment. The engine breaks down in front of the apartment and the door has to be opened with some tools. Next time I will take one of the modern taxi's again.

After collecting the new made pictures at the photo shop, I walk back to Medeber market to bring the copy's of the pictures as promised. Not knowing exactly where I took the pictures, I show them to some people. Their fingers point to one and the same workshop. The girls are enthusiast. I have to make more pictures.

Just outside Medeber I witness the pursuit of a young boy by one of the saleswoman. The boy has stolen a pair of shoes. He is stopped by bystanders and gets a beating with the same shoes he has just stolen. It looks as if the boy knows he deserved it. He just waits until the lady is finished with him, without making any attempt to escape.

Very thirsty I enter the first bar I see after leaving the Medeber market. It looks as if the lady bar tender (Alem) has been waiting for me. She is alone and making coffee the Eritrean way. Later when other guests enter the bar, I feel more at ease. Alem hardly speaks any English, which made it difficult to communicate.

"Your Fanta is paid by that man over there", Alem said to me. I changed places to thank him and to have a little chat. "Alem wants you to take her to Holland with you". I tried to explain my situation and promised to do my best for her.

 

Foto Zubier - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Children selling sweeties to earn some extra income for their family.

Woman selling vegetables at the Asmara market.

Colorful Eritrean handicraft at the Asmara market.

Female worker in a Medeber workshop.

If you have no toys, you just make them yourself.
Little boy just outside Medeber market Asmara.

Waiting for customers - Medeber markers Asmara.

Lady bartender Alghanesh Alem making coffee
 the Eritrean way - Medeber Asmara Eritrea.