torsdag 5 juli 2012

Nyala Hotel...

I am sitting at Nyala hotel and using my laptope there. The internet connection is quite alright and I am making my participant observations as usual. A lot of sudanese men and women live in this particular hotel for some reasons. The men have painted their hands and feet with hinna:-). It looks abnormal but they seem not to care that much about it. They are probably having their honeymoon here in beautiful Asmara. The rainy season is pretty interesting. It usually rains cats and dogs in the afternoons and the sunshines in the mornings.

People say that Money is not everything and it can not buy you  all you want in life. That is actually what money does. No funny without money is in fact the melody in every corner of the world. Eritrea is not an exception, unfortunately. Money has become the alpha and omega of a modern man. Human values rotate around it and you are judged by what you have in your pockets.

Wealth or knowledge was the thema of our arguement in 8th grade english lesson back in the days.  I argued that knowledge was more important than wealth as wealth without the knowledge and wisdom of how to handle it would be to no avail.Futile. We are not always the masters of our destiny but we decide often how to relate to different issues and which standinpoints to have about them.

I am still in the very start of my long journey in Eritrea and prefer to take just a day at a time.

Martyrs day in Asmara, Eritrea,,,

We got up at 06.00 A.M. on the 20th of june and headed to the martyrs cemetry in Tsetserat where thousands of people had already gathered. The last time I attended this kind of event was in 2005. This is the most emotional moment for all Eritreans as it is a day when all Eritrean martyrs are commemorated and honoured.


Mothers, sisters, wives, husbands, daughters, sons and other relatives burst in tears and remember their fallen heroes and heroines. Eritrea owes a lot of gratitude to these martyrs forever. Our mere existence as a nation and a country has cost so many lives and we shall never forget that.

I have been in Eritrea several times and I am intending to stay a longer period this time around. Two and a half weeks have gone since my lates arrival. Have had a lot of ups and downs and my impressions are of mixed natures. Questioning and doubting my courageous decsion to settle down in my native land, continues.

Having lived almost 23 years in Sweden and used to a different sort of life there, I did not anticipate an easy integration. It is going to be a long process that will demand patience and subservience. My determination to remain focused and see the positive aspects of my life in Eritrea, is being questioned at times.

I have not started working as yet but hoping to be able to work as a teacher in Mai Nefih College from September. I am open for all options and shall try my utmost to give this journey an effort that it derserves.

I have left the life in security in Sweden for a more adventurious and rewarding challenge in Eritrea. The wisdom and rightfullness of this bold move, remains to be seen.