The shock came unexpectedly and right at breakfast. I had arrived in my  Djibouti hotel just the night before, coming from Nairobi. Now, I was about to take my breakfast. Entering the breakfast room and I could not believe my eyes: More or less all tables were occupied by a company of camouflaged German Army soldiers. Communication was easy and I quickly learned that wide-spread stomach problems had forced my compatriots to move from their previous accommodation into this fancier one. At least today!s breakfast was great: salmon bagel with cream cheese, Eggs Benedict. To combat piracy and to secure the world’s most important shipping lane through Suez Canal the US, Great  Britain, France and a new kid on the block, China, were keeping naval bases in Djibouti, too. However, their troops were not around in my hotel. Obviously they entertained better chefs. Travelling around tiny Djibouti I did not meet any other tourist. It’s easy to understand Djibouti’s prime gepolitical location. Why try to attract tourists to the beautiful salt lakes and coastal mountains when you can make a fortune by just renting out naval bases?