Have you ever heard of
Hargeisa?
It is the capital of a
country that doesn’t exist in the eyes of many people in the world: Somaliland.
This country is
located in the South of Somalia. Althought the global community may doubt its
independence, Hargeisa always welcomes all citizens in the world to come there.
In this city with
800,000 residents, it is so easy to catch the colorful contrasts.
Donkey carts, goats
and sheeps jostle in the street with Somaliland woman in traditional colorful
kaftan dresses.
"There's a buzz
about Hargeisa that's unencumbered by the stigma of being 'Somalia' and 'an
unsafe place to visit' as preconceived by many people," said Mark Rowlatt,
a 56-year-old traveler passing through Somaliland.
Hargeisa is a city
that you can see many woman wearing veils and no alcohol allowed here. The
mishmash of chaotic on market and modern office building, wifi café ,..
The missing in the
picture of this young city is prominent historical architecture creating its
ambiance of exploration.
The central market is
a place that you can find everything from perfume, clothes and electronic goods
to tinned foods, fruits, vegetables and some souvenirs.
If you want to trade
camels, goats and sheep, you should go to a open- air livestock market on the
southestern outskirts of the city.
Looking at the
sihouette in the distance of two triangular moutains called breats of Shebe in
sunset is one of precious moments.
Away from Somaliland’s
850 km of coastline, Hargeisa’s restaurants is a place for every fish fan with
a great ample food natural resources.
A fish steak and rice
is served with the local spicy red powder- only for 3 $.
The delicious sweet
milky Smolia tea steamed in vats is one of characterized thing in every corner
of this city.
The cost for a hot tea
glass is only $1,5 and the street will be emptied after lunch due to the heat
of sunshine.
But the atmosphere of
this city will be waken up after 4 p.m. The street is full of traffic, people
voice,…
"It was totally
destroyed -- there was just rubble, waste,"Saeed Mohamoud who works with a
local organization named Horizon Institute helping communities develop this
city.
Photos of the old
building, the ruins during the civil war is kept on the walls of Oriental,
Hargeisa’s oldest hotel built in 1953.
On the contrary, there
are also a lot of new and beautiful posters of Somaliland’s beaches and
historic sites with a slogan "Wonderful Somaliland -- The Newest Tourist
Destination in Africa."
It is a place that a little
people know it but it is also one of safe destinations in the world.
Most of Hargeisa’s
constructions has been invested by the Somaliland diaspora. This is also one of
the reason that explain why locals are so welcoming to all foreign visitors.
"The people are
extremely welcoming, with a vibrancy and optimism about the state functioning
well enough to allow people do their business," Rowlatt said.
They are really
friendly and not shy. It is easy to encounter with a lot of questions about
you, your place,… when walking on Hargersa’s visitors.
Obviously, its economy
remains away from the international financial system and outside bailouts.
That will lead to
widespreading poverty in every corner of this city and increasing its rate of
unemployment.
People here are
affected by strict Islamic customs and influencing society. Many youung girls
has to marry soon with a guy that they never met.
But if you want to
come here to explore of their life, it is also a great place to visit with some
attractions as the world's oldest rock art, found in the Las Geel caves 50
kilometers from the city,….
Source BBC.com
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