Asmara Eritrea - May 20th 2003

 

Problems with my health result in a boring day. I have to stay close to the house in Asmara, so I spend the day walking through the city, enjoying the sun, the cafe's, the people and do some family visits.

Old men try to sell me coins. Another one wants my old clothes. Children want some Nakfa's, or just some attention. "How are you, what do you think of Asmara". Asmara is ok. "Zubug", I answer them. They want to know if I know other words, so I count to ten and try to remember as much as possible animals in Tigrinya.

I also visit the Medeber markets as usual, and make fun with the girls. A woman on the market recognizes me. She must be related to the family of Mebrat. But she does not speak any English, I need someone to translate. One of the owners of the workshop explains her words. She used to be the wife of Mebrat's brother, who died in the war.

I feel sorry for her. She recognized me after all these year (saw her last time in 1999), I did not recognize her. I tell her I remember her daughter Eden, who was, a bit shy, dancing and singing on my 1999 video. She asks me to have lunch with her. I follow her to her house. We hardly speak. But she is happy. We're family.

 

Arab school - Asmara Eritrea.

Kidane Mehret Church - Asmara Eritrea.

Covered markets - Asmara Eritrea.

Medeber market and workshops - Asmara Eritrea.

Spices factory - Medeber market Asmara Eritrea.

Workshops - Medeber market Asmara Eritrea.

Medeber market - Asmara Eritrea.

United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea - HQ Asmara.

United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea - HQ Asmara.

United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea - HQ Asmara.