Unveiling the Hidden Gem: Teseney, Eritrea

• Helloሰላም
  [selam]
• Goodbyeዋላ ዋላ
  [wala wala]
• Yesእወ
  [ew]
• Noየለ
  [yel]
• Please/You're welcomeእግዚኣብሄር
  [egzabihir]
• Thank youመልክአ
  [melka]
• Excuse me/Sorryኣብዚ
  [abzi]
• How are you?እንቛዕ ናይ?
  [enkae nai?]
• Fine. And you?እንቛዕ እዋ?
  [enkae ewa?]
• Do you speak English?እቶም ኣንጭዋተር?
  [etom anchwatir?]
• I don't understandብትግራይ ኣልበይ
  [btegray albay]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseንክሓል ኣንጽርሑ እትምህ
  [n'khel ansterhu etmh]
• I don't eat meatምንት ኣለዎ ካልእ ምምራ
  [mnt alewo kale mimra]
• Cheers!ሰላም
  [selam]
• I would like to pay, pleaseእቲ ናቕር ክሓል፡
  [eti nakr khel]

• Help!ኣብዚ!
  [abzi!]
• Go away!በዓል!
  [baal!]
• Call the Police!ኣብዚ ሓርበ!
  [abzi harb!]
• Call a doctor!ኣብዚ ሰዓት!
  [abzi saat!]
• I'm lostእትስምን፡
  [etsemn]
• I'm illእትስምን
  [etsemn]

• I'd like to buy...ንክሓል ኣለዎ ኣዝዩ...
  [n'khel alewo azu...]
• I'm just lookingኣብ ታሕቲ ኣዝዩ
  [ab t'hati azu]
• How much is it?ብሓስባር ኣብዚ?
  [bhasbar abzi?]
• That's too expensiveበይኒ ናብ ግምት
  [byni nab g'mt]
• Can you lower the price?መምርሒ ኸምዚ ኣብዚ?
  [mamri khmzi abzi?]

• What time is it?ብሓጎስ ሪሒዝ?
  [b'hagos rihiz?]
• It's one o'clockኣእሽኽሮም ሪሒዝ
  [aeshkrom rihiz]
• Half past (10)ኣእሽኽሮም ፈሳሕ
  [aeshkrom fesah]
• Morningመኸተኸት
  [meketet]
• Afternoonምዕራባል
  [me'arbal]
• Eveningርሑስ
  [rhus]
• Yesterdayእናታእስ
  [enataesh]
• Todayሓሙስ
  [hamus]
• Tomorrowማጽሓር
  [mats'har]
• 1ኣእሽኽሮም
  [aeshkrom]
• 2ላዕሊ
  [laili]
• 3ምልእግስ
  [mleghes]
• 4ኣራት
  [arat]
• 5ሕዝብ
  [hzb]
• 6ስምንታ
  [smnta]
• 7ሰምንታ
  [semnta]
• 8ራብዓ
  [rab'a]
• 9ትሕትና
  [th'thna]
• 10ሓምሳ
  [hamsa]

• Where's a/the...?ብዓል እዚ...
  [baal ezi...]
• What's the address?ብዓል ኣብዚ...
  [baal abzi...]
• Can you show me (on the map)?መምርሕ እምላ ኣብዚ?
  [mamri emla abzi?]
• When's the next (bus)?እምበባ ብዝሒ...
  [emba ba'zi...]
• A ticket (to ....)ትኽሕተ (...)
  [t'khte (...)]

Teseney, located in the western part of Eritrea, has a history that dates back to ancient times. Archaeological evidence suggests that the area was inhabited by various indigenous groups who engaged in farming, herding, and trade. The fertile lands along the Gash River made it an ideal location for early settlements.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Teseney, like much of Eritrea, fell under Italian colonial rule. The Italians invested in infrastructure, including roads and buildings, some of which still stand today. This period also saw the introduction of new agricultural techniques and crops, which influenced the local economy.

During the Eritrean War of Independence, Teseney was a significant battleground. The town was strategically important due to its proximity to the Sudanese border, which served as a supply route for Eritrean fighters. The Battle of Teseney in 1984 was a pivotal moment, leading to a temporary Eritrean victory and boosting the morale of the independence movement.

Following Eritrea's independence in 1991, Teseney experienced a period of reconstruction and development. The town became a hub for trade and commerce, benefiting from its location near the border with Sudan. Efforts were made to rebuild infrastructure and improve public services, contributing to the town's growth and modernization.

Teseney is a melting pot of different cultures and ethnic groups, including the Kunama, Nara, and Tigrinya peoples. This diversity is reflected in the town's festivals, music, and cuisine. Traditional crafts such as weaving and pottery are still practiced, preserving the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Teseney is located in the western part of Eritrea, near the Sudanese border. The nearest international airport is Asmara International Airport in Asmara, approximately 370 kilometers away. From Asmara, you can take a bus or hire a private taxi to Teseney. The journey by road typically takes between 7 to 9 hours, depending on road conditions. There are also occasional domestic flights from Asmara to Teseney, but these are less frequent and should be checked in advance.

Within Teseney, transportation options include minibuses, taxis, and bicycles. Minibuses are the most common mode of public transport and are relatively inexpensive. Taxis are also available and can be hired for short trips within the town or for day excursions to nearby attractions. Renting a bicycle is an excellent way to explore the town at your own pace, given its relatively small size.

The official currency in Eritrea is the Eritrean Nakfa (ERN). Cash is the most widely accepted form of payment in Teseney, and it is advisable to carry sufficient cash as credit cards are rarely accepted. There are a few ATMs in town, but they may not always be reliable, so it's wise to withdraw enough cash in Asmara before traveling to Teseney.

Teseney is generally a safe town for tourists, but standard precautions should be taken. Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas and keep your belongings secure in crowded places. While Teseney does not have specific high-crime areas targeting tourists, staying vigilant and aware of your surroundings is always recommended. Additionally, be cautious near the Sudanese border and avoid any restricted areas.

In case of emergency, dial 113 for police assistance and 114 for medical emergencies. Teseney has a local police station and a small hospital that can handle minor medical issues. For more serious conditions, it may be necessary to travel to larger medical facilities in Asmara. It is highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. Pharmacies in Teseney can provide over-the-counter medications for common ailments.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, covering your shoulders and knees, as Teseney is a conservative town. Avoid wearing revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. When visiting religious sites, dress modestly and remove your shoes before entering. Public Transport: Do be respectful and offer your seat to elderly passengers. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a handshake and a warm smile. It's customary to use the right hand for greetings. Eating & Drinking: Do try local delicacies and accept food offerings graciously. Don't refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Teseney like a local, visit the bustling markets where you can purchase fresh produce and traditional Eritrean goods. Engage with locals, who are often friendly and willing to share stories about the town's history and culture. Don't miss visiting the local mosques and churches, which provide insight into the town's diverse religious landscape. For a unique experience, attend a local festival or cultural event, where you can enjoy traditional music, dance, and cuisine.