Asmara - November 17 2009

 

In the morning I deliver the last two packages. I received a vague address in the Bologna Hotel area, when I call the telephone number on the package.

With a lot of help of a boy on his way to school (he even uses his mobile phone to verify the address), I find the house of Zaid. Zaid helps me by calling the number on the second package. She will keep it in her house. They will collect it there, so it will not take my time.

The stage of  the Bahti Meskerem Square is covered by at least 100 yellow taxi vehicles. They have a meeting about new taxi regulations.

After lunch I visit the Medeber markets and workshops. Last times pictures cause a lot of hilarity. Girls are showing them to their colleagues. "Where are my pictures?" some of them ask. I tell them they were not okay, and therefore not printed. They are disappointed.

A male worker likes my interaction with the employees and invites me to a guided tour into the the workshops of his friends. More and easy pictures are the result, although some elderly people are a bit annoyed, pointing a warning finger to me, obviously meaning "don't do this to me."

I share some chewing gum (mastika) with the girls and 20  Nakfa with my guide so he can buy a drink.

Next destination is Bar Selas, next to the shuq, a souvenir and household utensils market. I know the owner for some years now, and I feel like returning to my family.

The other visitors ask me where I come from. When I tell them I'm from Holland, they respond with "wonderful country." I ask them what they think of Canada (the Dutch partners in the first UNMEE mission). "No good football players" is the answer. 

For the Dutch teams they quote some famous names: "Van Nistelrooy, Van Persie, Robben." The Eritreans love football.

  

Meeting of the Asmara taxi drivers - Asmara Eritrea.

Medeber markets - Medeber Asmara Eritrea.

Household utensils and grave ornaments - Medeber Asmara Eritrea.

Women refining grains - Medeber Asmara Eritrea.

Berbere store - Medeber Asmara Eritrea.

Spices mill - Medeber Asmara Eritrea.

Chili wholesale - Medeber Asmara Eritrea.

Akberet (Bar Selas) - Asmara Eritrea.

Souvenir market - Asmara Eritrea.

Spices and flour market - Asmara Eritrea.