I am in Keren. Sandy, dusty streets, camels and donkeys carrying loads on the main, paved road going from Asmara to the border of Sudan… But the border is closed. The border with Ethiopia is also closed, the only entry by land to Eritrea is from Djibouti… Bad news for the overlanders!… Maybe this is the reason why very few tourists come here now…
Keren market is fantastic! Tailors, blacksmiths, food stalls but the most interesting for me are the workshops of goldsmiths.
They usualy work on the floor level producing golden earrings and other jewellery – also made of silver… Local women wear them – often putting them in their noses… From the distance Keren ladies look like bright flowers in their colorful zurias…
Paradise for the photographer – but you must be smart because thy are very shy…
Can you imagine? In the distant and exotic Keren they have two internet cafes. One hour of slow connection cost only 50 US cents! You can send your messages from outback Africa without any problem…
