From Asmara to Keren - November 24 2007

 

At 8:00 we are at the bus station. A queue of more then 60 people is waiting for the bus to Keren, some from 6:00 in the morning. We join them by putting our bags at the end of the virtual line, formed by anything that will represent the position of the traveler in the queue: the bag, a piece of cardboard, or a stone. By this anyone can walk around, without losing her or her position to the newcomers

I walk around the buses, hoping a miracle will happen, someone will help me, so I will be on the first bus to leave. Nothing happens. After an hour a man in charge is handing out tags to the first travelers waiting in the line, that serve as a boarding card. I guess the number of tags corresponds to the number of seats in the Mitsubishi Coaster and will prevent people to push themselves ahead.

At 9:30 it is our turn to enter the bus. The tags are exchanged for tickets in the bus. 23 Nakfa (1.53 dollar) for a 90 kilometers ride. How can this transport company survive on such small gains? At 10:00 we leave to Keren.

As usual there is a tea and breakfast break in Adi Teklezan, some 40 kilometers from Asmara. 30 minutes to drink tea, and eat an egg burger or ful (a vegetarian stew of beans, onion, pepper, and tomato).

At 13:00 we arrive in Keren. At the bus terminal we enjoy lemon juice and Zeitun, a local fruit juice. After having our rest, we walk the last kilometer to Ciuf Ciufit, where Hansu and Afworki have their house, and will be waiting for us.

We eat some bread and Hansu makes us coffee in the garden in front of the house. Some chickens, two goats en two cats try to find some leftovers from our lunch.

The last hours before dark, I make a short walk, and have my daily ration of mineral water in Bar Stuttgart, where I greet Elen, her daughters Rahel and Hidat, and niece Woyni.

Hansu cooks us rice with spiced a tomato stew, and before going to bed I finish the day with two double arakies, the local aniseed flavored liquor, for good night's sleep.

 

The road to Keren (just outside Keren).

Keren bus terminal and former railway station.

Traditional mode of transport - Keren Eritrea.

New hotel under construction - Keren Eritrea.

Commercial Bank of Eritrea - Giro Fiori Keren Eritrea.

Snack Bar - Giro Fiori Keren Eritrea.

Ghenet's tea and coffee shop - Keren Lalay Eritrea.

Children - Keren Eritrea.

Mosque - Keren Eritrea.

New Dighe Hotel - Keren Lalay Eritrea.