“BUY ERITREAN” AND SHOP THE MAJESTIC ASMARA; IF ASMARA IS
YOUR DESTINATION THIS SUMMER!
By Dr. Michael Fessehaye
It has
become a “pilgrimage” where, every summer (May through August), tens of
thousands of Eritreans from all over the world head home to Eritrea to be with
family members and to taste the hospitality and generosity of this grateful
nation once again. Yes, it is the time when we go back home to rekindle our
“Eritreanism” and it is a fulfilling and gratifying experience; especially to
the young Eritreans.
Oh yes;
the sworn enemy of Eritrea, the Weyane, have squandered their meager resources
to hire “mercenaries” to crush Eritrea militarily. They believed they can
“economically strangulate” Eritrea into submission within a month. They
thought, by deporting over 70,000 Eritreans from Ethiopia within three months,
they could wreck social and economic havoc in Eritrea; But to the contrary, the
evil scheme turned up to be a “blessing in disguise”, as Wedi Afom put it.
After they give it all the got, they brought the architects of “no war no peace” type of war to tie the
hands and feet of Eritrea to starvation and anarchy. Thus, every conceivable
evil scheme to destroy Eritrea as a nation and people was tried, to their shock
and dismay, every evil scheme they designed against Eritrea has backfired;
leaving them paralyzed from neck down. “Boomeranged” by their evil schemes; at
this very hour, they are being read their last rite and the only thing left for
them is for the HIGH PRIEST OF DEBRE DAMO to say “ashes to ashes”. Thus, with the "Warsai-YekeAlo”, the
defender and the builder of Eritrea at the border, this nation of yours and
mine is standing tall and proud and is marching to complete a third historic
mission-a mission to teach Africa how to build a nation one brick at time. But
today; the topic of my writing is not to talk about the state of the Eritrean
State; for that will be the assignment for you to find out on your own on your
trip home. Today, my topic is about your trip, if your destination is
Eritrea.
So, you
are heading home this summer? Lucky you!
Go home and meet a nation that is marching forward. Go home and meet the ever-defiant, the
steadfast, and the eternally optimistic people. Despite their evil schemes to
undo Eritrea as a country and people during the last eight years; this nation
of yours and mine is standing tall and proud “against all odds”. Hardened like
steel and polished like gold with fire, Eritrea is standing defiantly. And the
ambiance and the facts on the ground show a steadfast nation ready to take the
next challenge. But before I let you go packing to witness the facts on the
ground your self, let me give you a brotherly advice.
To the
Eritrean brothers and sisters heading home this summer; here is a brotherly
advice. Trust me, this is from an Eritrean who has been there, done that, and
who learned the hard way. If you are heading home this summer; then do not buy
any thing from the West but head home and plan to “BUY ETIRTEAN AND SHOP THE
MAJESTIC ASMARA" for all you travel needs. “Buying Eritrean and shopping
the Majestic Asmara” on your trip home this summer is not a question of
personal taste but a matter of making Eritrea politically, economically, and
militarily strong. Let me repeat it, “Buying
Eritrean and shopping the Majestic Asmara” on your trip home this summer is not
matter of personal taste but a matter of making Eritrean standing tall and
proud.” To make you see or appreciate what I mean, allow me to put some
numbers to it. Assume, 100,000
Eritreans went home this summer and they are to spend a minimum of $3,000 each
in Eritrea. With without including Eritrean Airlines airfare, that translates to pumping $300,000,000 (300
million dollars) into the Eritrean economy within 3 months directly. Shall I say more what these numbers mean to
the Eritrean economy; in the months of June, July, and August at that? You got the big picture!
Undoubtedly,
all of us like to make such pilgrimage every year, had we had the means and the
time. Such pilgrimage has positive impact to us as individuals, as well as to
the socio-economic benefits to the nation as a whole. That is not all. By being
there in person in Eritrea, Eritreans in Diaspora are telling our people that
we are with them and we are ready to share and to be part of their ups and
down. We the Eritreans in Diaspora perfectly know our participation, be it
small or big, does go a long way in helping the people in their nation building
quest. Truly, in all the trips we make to see the country and family members,
all Eritreans inside and outside are the winners and Eritrea is the winner by
all accounts.
It is a
proven fact that our trip home does not only strengthen our determination and
commitment to help Eritrea in every which way we can and know; but it does also
reinforce and strengthen the will of our people to strive to exist as viable
and vibrant nation. To hear what they have to say, to listen to their dreams
and aspiration, and to witness what they have done in building their home is
indeed gratifying and overwhelming. To listening to the common man/women from
the streets of Asmara, Dekamare, Mendefera, Massawa, Barentu, Tessenai and all
the villages talking about their experience, handwork, dedication and
sacrifices, and above all, to witness their “optimism” about what the future
holds is indeed a moving and liberating experience. In short, there are no
words that could define the determination, the “can-do” attitude, and the
“optimism” of the common Eritrean; and that is “infectious”.
Folks, I have had the privilege to taste and to witness all the noble things of
Eritrea last summer. Arriving at Asmara International Airport, the first word
you hear from the grateful nation and people is "MERHABA”; with a smile
written all over their faces! Here is a
grateful people who took your small contribution as if it was big. Wherever you
go; be it in Asmara, Meanderer, Massawa, Barentu, Tessenai, Agordat, Keren,
Massawa, Ti'O, or Shieb; they will come straight to you and thank you from the
bottom of their heart and the one word that summaries it is "MERHABA”. You can feel it and you could read it
written all over the face of these grateful nation and people. What is more
fulfilling is here is a grateful people who accept you for what you are with no
questioned asked because your are “flesh and blood”.
But before
I let you go packing here is an advice from a brother. It has been my experience and the experience
of others that we waste a lot of time and a lot of money in preparation to go
home. Quite a number of us go on a shopping spree believing that we cannot find
the items we like to take home in Eritrea. Believe you me, take my advice,
there is no need to spend your valuable resources (time and money) here in the
West. Take only the basic necessity you have in your closet. With the
prevailing travel and airport security restrictions; travel as light as
possible. There is no need to waste your time at shopping malls in the West.
Take your money for Asmara has every thing you need and more. My advice is: "BUY
ETIRTEAN AND SHOP IN THE MAJESTIC ASMARA". There is nothing Asmara
cannot deliver where New York, or Paris, or Rome can. Every thing and any thing
you need is in Asmara. Believe me, you name it; from Paris fashion clothing, to
Wrangler and Arizona gleans, to Nike shoes, to Made-In-Eritrea shoes, sweaters,
and suit; you will have it at dirt-cheap prices in Eritrea.
Pardon me
if I am to be blunt and hard on her; but let me address the Eritrean sister who
is heading home this summer. Sister, I know you are generous and you never stop
giving more and more. But here is an advice for you. There is no need to waste
your time shopping for clothing, makeup and beauty items in the West. After you
have seen the “fashion” of the Eritrean girls; I will be shocked if you did not
decide to shop Asmara for your needs. Trust me and take my advice. DO NOT BUY A
SINGLE ITEM FROM HERE. There is every thing and any thing you need in Asmara. There
is nothing Paris, or Rome, or New York or Hollywood could deliver in which
Asmara City cannot. There is nothing Massawa cannot deliver where the free
ports of Singapore or Dubai could deliver. Take your "dollars" and
"Buy Eritrean and Shop Asmara and Massawa".
To the Eritrean brothers who are heading home; go home with your dollars
and shop all you want. I am not talking shopping for family remembers. I am
talking about shopping for your wardrobe in Asmara at dirty cheap prices. For
less than $100 dollars you will by a suit that will cost you over $350 in
Washington DC or Rome. Made-In-Eritrea shoes, sweaters, and suits? I do not
think I need to say a word about it. Asmara and all small towns of Eritrea are
ready with shops and stores to deliver your needs.
Time
permitting, although it highly recommended to make the
Asmara-Mendefera-Berntu-Tesenai-Sawa-Argordat-Keren-Asmara road loop to see the
achievements of Eritrea thus far; at the very least you got plan to drive some
evenings to the suburbs of Asmara and enjoy the shops, restaurants and coffee
shops. With modern highways and roads; have I told you Dekamare, Mendefera, and
Nefasit are now suburbs of Asmara? You heard me! Gone are the days when you
used to take Dekamare and Mendefera as if they were "far away" towns
requiring two day trips. Elsa Kidane, in her song, has told you the
truth: “Zigeyish Yelbon Sinqu Quatsiru, Megedi Hatsiru”. In short, Dekamare,
Mendefera and Nefasit have become a 40 minutes drive suburbs of Asmara; not to
mention Emba Dereho, Bar Dirfo, May Nef'Hi, May Hutsa, and other places of
entertainment around Asmara. Go home have a taste of the hospitality and the
generosity of your roots. Go and enjoy your people and country-thanks to the
gallants who paid and who are still paying the price to make all these a
realty.
While you
are at it, plan to drive along the “Eritrean Engineering Masterpiece”
(Semienawi Bahri Road) on your way to the "Pearl of the Red Sea",
Massawa, to enjoy the "Red Sea". In Massawa, Gorgusum, and Hamassien
Hotel beaches with a boat trip to Dahlak Islands. Trust me, for just $10 to $20
a day; you will be pampered by the hospitality of the “Massawinos” in air
conditioned “Five Star” hotels. By the way, Massawa is no hotter than Dallas
Texas, or Phoenix Arizona or any Midwestern city in these months. Incidentally,
After visiting Massawa and the Red Sea, you will come to understand as to why
Ethiopia was obsessed with the Red Sea and you will come back more determined
to defend you country and your people from any future aggressor and/or internal
enemies. Incidentally, Massawa has been built by leaps and bounds to live up to
here name: “THE PEARL OF THE RED SEA”.
Do not be
afraid to take the "little people" with you. With the modern
facilities and services available at your fingertips; gone are the days when
you have to worry about the food and drinking water for the "little
tigers". Every thing and any thing to meet the needs of your child are
available. For less than $1.00; you have a 5-gallons Eritrean purified drinking
water at every shop or "Dukan". For less than $1.00, you have one
litter of milk. For less than $10.00 you have a dinner for four in the clean
Eritrean restaurants. As for the fruits; stroll at the "Markato" and
you will come to realize that Eritrea consumes tons and tons of oranges,
bananas, mango, and papaya; all Eritrean produce. Incidentally, if you take the
"little people" with you; their favorite food such as hamburgers,
"French fries", hotdogs, pizza (US style), and ice cream are aplenty.
In addition, with multiple playing grounds at Expo, City Park, Godena Harinet,
Godena SemaEtat and of course Bet Giorghis; your child will fit in no time and
you will see him playing soccer next day in the hood. Since any fourth grade
Eritrean child knows enough English words to communicate with your child, you
will find your child is gone running in the “hood” with over "forty
cousins", as my little once put it.
Trust me, if the “little tigers” are to complain about Eritrea, it shall
only be they will be forced to “eat and drink” from a generous people who does
not know a “No” for an answer.
One last
reminder: You got to do this for me
just for once. You got to make the “Asmarinos Ritual”-strolling Godena
Harinet-just like the old days. Still
the “Asmarinos” are doing that “ritual”
ceremoniously; if you know what I mean.
However, make sure you take enough cold medicine such as Tylenol and
Motrin for your child and your self. Make sure to take you malaria pills
regularly if you are to venture outside Asmara, especially to the lowlands.
Massawa and Asmara, with modern buildings and divided highways and boulevards
is shining example of what this "can-do" people of yours and mine
have done and they can do. Trust me, you will witness the miracle performed by
your people and you will come back more proud of your roots.
P.S. Here
some exceptions to what I have preached above. On your trip home, it is highly
recommended to load the following items as a gift to family members and
friends: (1) “Off-The-Counter” cold and
flu medicine such as Tylenol, Motrin, and Aleve. To you any I, the
availability and cost such “off-the-counter medicine” is just like going to the
store and buying a candy; if you know what I mean. But to an Eritrean family 8
is “priceless”, if you know what I mean. (2) Bar soaps, Shampoo, and
lotion as much as you can (but check the airline for packaging procedures). (3)Take a
full box of “school supplies” such ballpoint pens, pencils, erasers,
protractors, compass. If possible, add
“paper-cover” English Dictionary to the list. I can assure, you will make many
Eritrean students smile. (4) If you want to make the young Eritrean girls
smile; simple beauty items will do the trick. These are to include basic female
necessities such are (a)fingernail polish, (b)lipstick, (c)eye lashes, (d)
ear-rings, (e) hair-do items, (f)underwear and bra. Trust me, it is not the big
thing but the small things is what you need to make the young smile. Bon Voyage
and Happy Trip Home!
Wetru Awet
N’Hafash!
Hiji Win
Hade Hizbi Hade Libi!
Eternal
Glory to the Dead and the Living Heroes/Heroines
It is a
Must "Wefri Warsai-YekeAlo" Should Succeed!
Dr.
Michael Fessehaye