Asmara Eritrea - May 21 2009

 

I stroll the streets of Asmara in the daytime, enjoying the sun and the smiles, pausing every once and a while to buy a fruit juice at the Cathedral Snack Bar or a cappuccino with pastry at the Damera Bar.

I spend most of the time collecting and verifying data for our information pages. The manager of Africa Car Rent happily tells me, that the information resulted in reservations for his rental cars. I am invited to have lunch with him. I am free to choose the restaurant.

I meet friends, am invited for tea, or to visit their house.

Around 18:00 the trucks and trailers composing the carnival enter the center of Asmara from various directions and line up in the tree main streets that meet at the roundabout in front of Bar Zilli.

For the fourth time the most prominent companies of Asmara exhibit their products to the public, on vehicles decorated with their products, or banners advertising them. The Sembel Metal and Wood Works Company introduces their new product: bikes, made in Asmara Eritrea.

 This year more than 50 companies from Asmara and its surroundings participate in the carnival. One of them is the Saba Shoe Factory. Many of their 40 employees remember me from last years carnival. I receive a warm welcome, and an invitation to drink their suwa.

They tell me they are very happy with last years photos, and I am invited to make more pictures of their presentation, and of the happy employees dancing and feasting alongside their decorated truck.

The colorful parade of enterprises is accompanied by cultural groups from the various regions, bringing an impressive and happy show to the spectators watching from the pavements.

When the train of trucks starts to move, I choose my favorite one, to share the happiness of these proud people who have worked on their presentation from April this year, using their own materials and budget, hoping to be one of this years prize winners.

 

Decorated Concord Pension - 176-21 Street Asmara Eritrea.

"Salena, salena!" (picture me!) Young girl - Asmara Eritrea.

Contribution to the carnival of the Saba shoe factory - Asmara Eritrea.

Independence Day carnival - BDHO Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Saba (Saba shoe factory), Independence Day carnival
BDHO Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Contribution of the Asmara Brewery, Independence Day
carnival - BDHO Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Contribution of Rahwa Paints, Independence Day
carnival - BDHO Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Contribution of Gemel Public Transport, Independence Day
carnival - BDHO Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Contribution of Eritel, Independence Day
carnival - BDHO Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Young girl participating in the celebration if Eritrea's
 18th Independence Day - Asmara Eritrea.

Traditionally dressed woman, playing the kebero
Independence Day carnival - Asmara Eritrea.

Traditionally dressed girls, performing as dancers
Independence Day carnival - Asmara Eritrea.