Here is more on my Trip back home, I hope I am not boring anyone.
As dusk settles on this pastel,Italianete city that I was born in
It's tiled, cafe-lined sidewalks fill with a happy promenade. Having
travelled to many cities around the world and the U.S I can proudly say
that I have never witnessed a cleaner and safer city. Yes! the Cathedral
overlooking combishtato can some times be aggrivating with young kids who
have nothing better to do, but we must realize that they all have no choice
but to behave. If they do not, the good ole! STICK of the police is always
on a standby.
Ambassador Hotel was defintley a place of meeting and many long
lost friends have reconciled and many new friendships have been created.
The best part of going home during the summer months is the fact that you
meet Eritreans from many different parts of the world. Just to give you
an example, Sweden,Austria,Saudi,Holland,France,England,Germany,Israel,
Greece,Zambia,Kenya,Swaziland,obviously U.S.A & Canada, I can go on and
on. Everyone has a great quality about them and I believe that is what
brings us together as Eritreans. Even those who live in Eritrea fit in
well with us.
How many places in the world do you see a Mosque next to a Church?
To be honest with you it is a rare situation but in Eritrea it has always
been the strenghtning factor in mixing both religions peacfully, and
it seems to be going stronger than ever.
I know most of you know proffesor Kibreab and his wife Eleni, they
are a very unique and outstanding individuals. As you all know they have
moved back to Eritrea and are involved in the building process. I am
mentioning them because I want evryone to know of their dedication. All
day they are both working hard as he teaches at the U of Asmara while she
is busy with her publishing firm. Each day at 5:00 p.m they head to Embaisora
hotel where they have appointments after appointments in accomdating people
that come from out of town or people that need help in making the right
connections with government officials. Now! You tell me that is not
DEDICATION! Now! to top that here is what they did for us Dehaiers. As you
all know we are all involved in the Martyrs project and thanks to Ammanuel
Meles, Mike Tewolde and the Eritrean community of Canada we were able to
raise a substantial amount of money for this important project. While in
Asmara I run into my friend and fellow DEHAIER Mike Tewolde who was having
a minor problem in meeting the right people so that he can donate the gift.
After explaining the situation to me and other people, I immidiatley sent
him to Proffesor Kiberab and Eleni. Guess what folks! The problem was solved
and Mike was happy.
There are many others who should also be commended and are trying
to make life just as normal for everyone so that the moving process in the
future can begin. It is just a matter of time. I attended so many private
partys where I met so many interesting people of all walks. Some Geologists
who are working effortlessley to discover our wealth, some business people
who are improving the standard of life, some who are working for
international organizations, ON & ON.....
One other person I found I would like to mention is from the bay area
I am sure many of you know especially in the west coast know him. His name
is Yonatan and this young man just graduated from UC Berekley and has been
in Asmara now for over 6 months. Yonatan, who is planning to attend Law
school is currently working with the law firm that is representing Eritrea
in the Hanish case as part of his national service. He might not be getting
paid but he is getting experience and it will look good on the resume. Folks
if there is a way you can go back to do internships or national service I
urge you to go back and experience it. It is unlike anything you will ever
do. I am using Yonatan as an example because I am so proud of him. When
you listen to his english you would think he was an American but folks if
you also listen to his tigrinia you would never think he lived anywhere else
other than Asmara.
There is a lot more to tell so stay tuned as I try to dissect my thought
and fill you in on the GREAT EXPERIENCE OF A LIFE TIME!
Again thank you to all of you!
God bless!
Your friend Mike Seium