Asmara May 31st 2001

 

Now that the celebrations of independence are finished I will first try to book a trip with Eri-tours. They did spread leaflets when we arrived at the airport of Asmara ten days ago. The description of their location is typical Eritrean. Street names and numbers are often left away in Eritrea. Just: "National Union of Eritrean Woman (NUEW) near to Eritro-Germeny Building" or a P.O. Box. Where is this building? I miss a small map. When I call them a friendly woman asks me if I can find the Sunshine Hotel. She will pick me up if I wait there. That's another typical Eritrean gesture. It's an honor to help you. They tell me that they have just started. Not all the trips are operational yet. I will do the two day trip Asmara - Ghinda - Massawa - Dahlak on the 6th and 7th of June.

Trying to find more information about possible trips, I first visit Eritrean Tour Services (ETS). They tell me there are ending their operations and closing their office. That's sad because they are on a good spot: easy to find for tourists. I visit the Ministry of Tourism in Harnet Avenue. Their office is on the second and third floor. I knock on their door. The woman answer my questions with the friendliness of a tour operator. There are only a few leaflets available.

In the afternoon I visit the markets and try to make some nice pictures. Only a few people want to be pictured. The girl selling vegetables asks me if she can have a copy of the picture. That's a nice idea. If it's going to be her picture as well it must be a good picture. I gave her the picture a few days later. She is very happy and tells me I am her brother now. The biggest tomato she can find is my reward.

While I am taking some rest at the textiles- and shoe market the rain starts to come down again (and no umbrella). This gives me some time and a good reason to familiarize with the men who are making shoes at this market. When the rain stops for a few minutes I run to the photo-shop. From there I ask a guy who is walking in the right direction if I can share his umbrella for a few hundred meters to our apartment. Of course I can.

 

Young Eritrean woman selling vegetables at the market.

Shoemaker at the Asmara market.

Little shops and workshops at the Asmara grain market.

Processing the grain in a little workshop at the Asmara grain markets.

Women selling eggs and chicken at the Asmara market.

Entrance of the Medeber markets.

Making household utensils at the Medeber market.

Unprocessed chili peppers at the Medeber market.

Girls grinding chili in a workshop at the Medeber market in Asmara.