It’s Independence Day on May 24th, a week today, Saturday. This year it’s the 17th anniversary of the end of the thirty-year struggle against the neighbours. This weekend marks the start of a week of celebrations – floats and parades building up to a firework display next weekend. It also means a big security presence, the number of police with sticks, and soldiers with AK47 submachine guns, walking the streets has increased dramatically in the last couple of weeks. Phil came out of our front gate as we left for work last week and found himself looking down the barrel of a machine gun casually slung over the shoulder of a soldier chatting to his mate. Lot of the soldiers are only just out of boyhood, when you say good morning you get a cheery greeting and a big smile back, however I’m under no illusions, they mean business. Young Eritreans are constantly being stopped on the streets and their papers checked, and no travel permits (needed by foreigners to travel outside Asmara) are being issued until after Independence Day.

However there is talk of beer being stockpiled for next weekend. Could be a great party.

The wife of Serebe (one of my work colleagues) has just had her first baby (a boy). Serebe is euphoric about it. In keeping with tradition his wife has gone with the baby to live with her mother for a month where she will be fed porridge (an Eritrean variety, not quite as we know it) for 40 days. For a girl, it’s 80 days. It’s supposed to buils up your strength.

C