Day 2.

Outside the Keren Hotel just after 6am on the morning of day 2.


And enjoying an early morning run to work off all the tasty food from the day before.


Looking across Keren from the hotel. Keren was important to both the Italian and the British forces during World War II as the road and railway through the city were the main route to the capital Asmara and to the Red Sea port of Massawa. Keren is also surrounded by steep granite mountains and sharp ridges which also enhanced its defensive strategic importance.


After a quick shower back at the hotel, I met up with Mehritab at 7:30am and we went to a local café for a traditional Eritrean breakfast of fuul (sauteed and mashed fava beans) served with onions, tomatoes, jalapeños, cumin, bread and olive oil. Quite tasty and was a good start to the day.


After the filling breakfast we went for a walk through the local markets.


Traditional/ceremonial Eritrean canes for sale.


Monday is the main market day and the best time to witness the visit the bustling markets, but today (Saturday) was a little quieter.


We then walked to the Italian War cemetery. From February 5th to April 1st, 1941, both Italian and British forces fought during the Battle of Keren.


A gravestone of an Italian soldier on the left side of the cemetery. The Italians were supported by the Eritrean Ascari, the indigenous soldiers from Eritrea.


On the right side of the cemetery were the graves of Eritrean soldiers who fought with the Italians. During the Battle of Keren an estimated 3,000 Italian soldiers and 9,000 Eritrean Ascari were killed. The Eritrean soldiers were not issued with identification however and were buried in graves all eerily marked 'Ignato' (unknown)..