Semera

Whereas the previous post, called the Highway to Hell, focused on the long journey to Semera, this post focuses entirely on Semera itself. Um, so yes, Semera, not much to say about it really. It’s rather hot, rather sandy and there’s not much vegetation. That’s it really. I think the rest can best be described in pictures. This will give you a more accurate idea of the town. Even though there is nothing there and it’s too hot to even walk during the day, Semera does has something unique that makes you want to find out more about it. Trouble is, it’s very difficult, because it’s so hot! I’m very happy to have had the opportunity to visit Semera though, because I can tell you for a fact, not many tourists have. Which makes me, one of only a few tourists that have actually stayed over in this remote dusty little town.

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  Some local children ask to have their picture taken at dawn, I am happy to oblige
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  Small boy posing for the camera (after initially being terrified of me)
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  Some local children waiting with the maid-servant at the stand pipe
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  The only source of water at the Health College compound. There is a long line of yellow jerry cans there every morning, waiting to be filled.
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  Inside a volunteers house in Semera. The temperature in the houses is relatively cool 35 Celsius compared to scorching sun outside
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  One of the classrooms at the Health College. Some of the windows are smashed and the chairs piled in one corner
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  The town of Semera is very new, so new that most people don’t live here and commute 30 minutes from the nearest town
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  A small business hugs the side of the road
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  Semera, lots and lots of nothing.
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  Some local houses litter the side of the road. Life is very simple here, hand-to-mouth, everyday is a new day.
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  Stones scattered around town indicate upcoming building works. When the work will start is anyone’s guess.
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  The silhouette of a local business in town.
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  Another sunset photo, the sunsets here are truly magnificent.
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  This pink building is the local ‘dancing’ establishment. This is where you go at night for entertainment. Rooms are rented by the hour.
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  These are the only shops in town. They sell very basic provisions and some locally made bread.
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  The sun sets over the dunes of Semera. The skyline is broken up by telephone and power cables arching across the landscape
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  This is the newly built Afar museum. Once Lucy (oldest skeleton in the world) finishes her round the world trip, she’ll be housed here.
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  As the sun sets in Semera, the sky turns a beautiful purple colour. In this photo you can see the only mosque in town
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  A donkey wandering the dunes outside the college compound. It’s amazing how animals manage to survive in this harsh climate
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  Burning your garbage is common practice in Ethiopia. Most houses and compounds will have piece of charred land outside on the street where they burn their rubbish