| The first thing you will notice about Eritrea is
the people - they are good looking, healthly, helpful and they don't
pester the tourists. There is virtually no crime in Eritrea.
Food: The food is excellent. Local
food consists of a spongy bread with various stews which they
eat with their right hand. Since Eritrea was an Italian
colony for years there is an abundance of pizza and spaghetti.
Costs: Meals are $1 to $4
USD. Mid-range hotels are around $15. Taxis around
town are about $1.50.
Internet: There are many internet
cafes around Asmara and at least one in Massawa. The internet is
cheap - 50c an hour, but it can be impossibly slow. It's best
in the mornings.
Activities: Walks in the countryside,
bike riding, the market, movies, hanging out in tea shops and
traveling around the country.
Getting There: Several airlines fly into
Asmara - Lufthansa, Saudi Arabian Airlines and EgyptAir. Round
trip fairs are available from MISR travel in New York City for $950
round trip from JFK to Asmara. Visas are required prior to
entering the country.
Tourism: At this time, September 2003,
tourism is not highly developed in Eritrea. In fact there are
almost no foreign tourists at all. There is a fairly large UN
presense. Eritrea is safe, relatively clean and
healthy, cheap and interesting. The buses are crowded but
cheap and they get you there. The people are helpful and most
speak at least a little English so you should get by without too
much difficulty. |
