Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it. George Bernard Shaw

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Tehran in a glance

I left Tashkent without having booked an hotel, bought a guide or city map, and without being able to get in touch with anyone of the people I was introduced to by email. Before landing, I already had two offers for a ride in town, and one offer for accommodation as a guest. Before leaving the airport, the latter raised up to three. This is just to give you a practical example of how much a government can differ from the population it rules on. I visited many countries, I know friends - very good friends - from a number of different states, but I never met such a hearty felt sense of hospitality for unknown foreigners. If I am able to consider Tehran as one of the best experiences in my life, this is all because of Mr. Soudi, Reza, and Azadeh. These three people, among many others, dedicated a lot of their time driving me around to see the city and meet their friends, acted as translators and offered me shelter. They introduced me to some secrets of Tehran, ad it's my pleasure to share some sparkles of its beauty with all of you. From now on, don't trust the media when it comes to Iran. Ask Iranian people instead.




A mosque on the main road



The Old Bazar - Detail oth the Portal



The Old Bazar - Main gallery



The Old Bazar - A bridge



The Old Bazar -Detail of the shops



The Old Bazar -Detail



The Old Bazar - Detail



The Old Bazar -The cashier of the crowded subterranean restaurant



Berries seller



Berries shop right next to a chaixona



Ovenbaking the bread



The typical asiatic oven



Tehran graffiti



Sellers of the best Kalle Pocce (stewed mutton) in Tehran - Kalle pocce is traditionally eaten at breakfast, as I did.



Long porch before the main Mosque



In front of the main Mosque



The courtyard of the main Mosque



The Mosque



The fountain of the main Mosque



The dark side of the Mosque



Ogle - The mid-day prayer



Ritual ablutions



A minaret



Rendez vous in the dark aisle

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