Country 1 - Capital Asmara

Trip Start Jan 22, 2008
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Trip End Aug 22, 2008


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Where I stayed
Central Asmara hotel and Concord Pension
(Asmara hotels)

Flag of Eritrea  ,
Wednesday, January 23, 2008

The beginning of our journey around Africa stated in Eritrea in East Africa. We started with a few days in the capital Asmara - which seems like it should be in Rome rather than Africa. We are enjoying the coffees and cakes and pizzas as well as the weather and friendly, helpful people. There seem relatively few people anywhere in the country and unlike everyone presumes due to the war with Ethiopia it feels very safe and welcoming here and there seem no food shortages (although we have spoken to a couple of people here who talk about the wealth being a show and that there is a lot of poverty and people are trying any way they can to flee the country).

In general the hotels are of a good quality and so we are very comfortable here. We have tried the local dish ( 6 out of 9 nights) of Ingera, shiro and mixed vege. Ingero is a large pancake made of maize? and Shiro is a sauce that is placed on it and you eat with your right hand. so it is all a little messy karl after a big night out
karl after a big night out
 . The bonus is that there are vegetarian and meat varieties. The local Asmara beer is nice too - one reason we have come back to the Capital since you can't really get it outside. The bonus is it only costs 14 nfa / 45 pence.

At dusk people prominade down the prominade in their best clothes - western or local (dresses with shawls)

Can't believe after a short time in the sun I am now taking up my brownie name and walking around with Panda eyes!!!

Travellers Tips

There are no ATM's here and using visa costs 5% commission - bring US Dollars.
Make sure you get a currency form on the way in and keep all money change reciepts and complete all paper work before you leave the country.
Do not change money on the black market as you will end up in prision.
Make sure you change your money back to US Dollars before going through passport control on the way out as otherwise you will be stuck with it well everyone wants to know what my new job is
well everyone wants to know what my new job is
 .
Go to the travel office before going outside Asmara for a permit- it takes a day, otherwise you will not get past the check points.
Very safe here
Terrible, terrible, terrible internet connection. Yahoo takes nearly an hour to connect. Googlemail is much faster


Where we stayed

Hotel Asmara Central - smelly toilets in ensuite rooms. Was ok (365 nfa)
Concord Pension - Lovely place with courtyard. Very clean and they spoke good English
Top Five Hotel - Very boring looking place, but the restaurant and bar area were nice. (350 nfa)
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