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Asmara is a fairly modern cosmopolitan town with lots of cafes,
restaurants, cinemas, a swimming pool and even a bowling alley.
The town is small and you can walk to most parts without
difficulty. Since the altitude is over 7700 feet you
might tire easily or even suffer from slight altitude
sickness. There is a very modern part of town along
Independence but a few blocks over by the mosque is a more
picturesque older section.
Restaurants: Don't miss the Blue Nile
Restaurant for an Eritrean style meal. It is located across
from the Sandles Monument. An excellent restaurant for
international food is the restaurant at the Top Five Hotel.
Good Chinese food in a nice atmosphere is available at the Chinese
Garden. Casa Degli Italiani has gourmet Italian food Its
prices are a little bit higher, but it's worth it. Mai-Ja-Ja
Restaurant serves delicious, healthy Arabic food in a somewhat
exotic atmosphere. Spaghetti and Pizza House downtown is good as well
as the restaurant at the Ambassaor hotel. There are many, many
good restaurants.
Markets: There are several markets - one
for fruit, one for grains and others for handicrafts. They are
located near the bus statioyn. Beautiful leather
purses are available for under $20, as well as handmade gold and
silver jewelry, beads and traditional bedouin jewelry.
Zoo: The zoo is small but part of a larger
park. It is a pleasant walk. Take the number 1 bus to
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