The Coat of Arms of the Islamic republic of Iran seen through barbed wire
at the bordercrossing between Iran and Turkey.
It's also featured at the Iranian flag and is a Perso-Arabic script of the word "Allah".
It was with mixed feelings I crossed the border to Turkey. In one way it felt sad to leave the country just when I started to get a grip of it.
Before Going I knew a fair bit about the politics and history but I didn't have a good perception of the people, and their attitude towards the regime and past and current events. I cant say I know what the average Muhammed thinks about it now either but at least I've got a perception of the complexity of the situation and how the reasoning goes on both side of the coin: the way many young and educated people feel choked and trapped, and in the same time how people, especially from the countryside, thinks the regime is doing a good job enforcing Sharia laws and distributing the oil income in a top down manner.
I also just started to get an idea of the unique culture and traditions. By spending some time with locals - both young and old, urban and rural - I had the privilege to experience it close up; which was probably the best and most fascinating part of my visit. Even though I guess I just got a glimpse.
Lastly it was a remorseful crossing because I know that all the Farsi I've managed to pick up will be hopelessly gone as soon as I get back - before I can say "Kheyli Mamnun". I'm not saying that my Farsi, in any way, is good. But after being forced to consult my English-Farsi phrasebook numerous times a day for a month, I've managed to get some sort of grip of the language, and my vocabulary contains a fair few words and phrases.
In another way (refering back to the first paragraph), 28 day was enough time, especially considering how I was traveling: the number of cities I visited, the type of activities I devoted my time to etc. Thinking back, there isn't really anything I can say I didn't have time to do, or regret I didn't do (except for not visiting the holy city of Qom). I reckon to get to know the country and the culture even better you have to spend much more time there, preferably living and working to get a feel for how people act and behave in everyday life and situations. Unfortunately this is hard - and economically unwise - for western people at the moment. However I'm sure a revolution is coming, maybe not this year, or the next but you cant suppress a people forever. Say within 10 years I hope and think that the regime is overthrown, giving space for a more liberal, democratic and western friendly government.
And if it happens, be certain that there will be a huge surge in demand for goods, services and know-how from all over the world - I'm holding out for that day.
It's also featured at the Iranian flag and is a Perso-Arabic script of the word "Allah".
It was with mixed feelings I crossed the border to Turkey. In one way it felt sad to leave the country just when I started to get a grip of it.
Before Going I knew a fair bit about the politics and history but I didn't have a good perception of the people, and their attitude towards the regime and past and current events. I cant say I know what the average Muhammed thinks about it now either but at least I've got a perception of the complexity of the situation and how the reasoning goes on both side of the coin: the way many young and educated people feel choked and trapped, and in the same time how people, especially from the countryside, thinks the regime is doing a good job enforcing Sharia laws and distributing the oil income in a top down manner.
I also just started to get an idea of the unique culture and traditions. By spending some time with locals - both young and old, urban and rural - I had the privilege to experience it close up; which was probably the best and most fascinating part of my visit. Even though I guess I just got a glimpse.
Lastly it was a remorseful crossing because I know that all the Farsi I've managed to pick up will be hopelessly gone as soon as I get back - before I can say "Kheyli Mamnun". I'm not saying that my Farsi, in any way, is good. But after being forced to consult my English-Farsi phrasebook numerous times a day for a month, I've managed to get some sort of grip of the language, and my vocabulary contains a fair few words and phrases.
In another way (refering back to the first paragraph), 28 day was enough time, especially considering how I was traveling: the number of cities I visited, the type of activities I devoted my time to etc. Thinking back, there isn't really anything I can say I didn't have time to do, or regret I didn't do (except for not visiting the holy city of Qom). I reckon to get to know the country and the culture even better you have to spend much more time there, preferably living and working to get a feel for how people act and behave in everyday life and situations. Unfortunately this is hard - and economically unwise - for western people at the moment. However I'm sure a revolution is coming, maybe not this year, or the next but you cant suppress a people forever. Say within 10 years I hope and think that the regime is overthrown, giving space for a more liberal, democratic and western friendly government.
And if it happens, be certain that there will be a huge surge in demand for goods, services and know-how from all over the world - I'm holding out for that day.
