But…Why Iran?

I had decided in Feb to travel to Iran in early May. It was only for 8 days – a short trip – enough to see Iran as a first-timer though I have later learnt that the average time a traveller spends in Iran is 2 weeks. My sister was interested to join me on this trip. We did all the necessary research in March: organized a private tour through a travel agency in Iran, booked our flight tickets and applied for travel visa.

In all my travels, friends have always asked me about my next destination, and I’m usually happy to oblige. But for this trip, I was slightly reluctant to share because I knew the questions that I would get for the unusual choice of country. It’s the country which has a bad reputation in the West and there aren’t many news media releases which state the good stuff about Iran. As the departure date drew closer, I tried to avoid the inevitable question but I couldn’t. I knew I had to face it.

[BEFORE IRAN]

Friend: Hey, we are going to have a gathering on 1st May, will you be around? Oh wait a minute, it’s a long weekend..let me guess, you will be travelling during that time?

Me: Yeah, I will be travelling at that time. I can’t come for the gathering, sorry…

Friend: I’m so jealous! Where are you going this time?

Me: Iran.

Friend: What, Iran?!

Me: (with a big grin) Yep.

Friend: Is it safe??

Me: Oh yeah, absolutely. …I have read a lot of travel articles about Iran and there are no issues travelling there.

Friend: But…why Iran?

[AFTER IRAN]

Colleague: Hey, I heard you were away recently. Did you go for a holiday?

Me: Yeah, I did.

Colleague: Where did you go? Did you have a good time?

Me: Iran.

Colleague: Iran?!

Me: (with a smile) Yep

Friend: Is it safe??

Me: Oh yes, it is ABSOLUTELY safe. It’s a beautiful country. I had a great time.

Friend: But…why Iran?

The inevitable question was But, why Iran? The answer I gave to my friends before the trip was that the country is very rich in history, art, architecture, and incidentally I have a great interest in these topics. I might have wavered a bit in explaining to them..after all, I haven’t experienced the country yet and especially with the negative media publicity, one can only wonder.

However, after spending 8 wonderful days in Iran recently, soaking up rich Persian history, architecture, art, deliciously yummy food, and the generosity and hospitality of Iranians, I was able to reply to that question with greater conviction that Iran was a positive experience.

Friends and colleagues may or may not be convinced yet how Iran could be contrary to what they read or see on the news (my parents were pretty cool about our trip – thank God for having travel in the family genes!). Hopefully this upcoming series in my blog, will help to give the undecided travellers (or sceptics) a glimpse of what Iran is like.

*****

There was A LOT to experience throughout the 8-day trip. Rather than diving straight into details in this post, let me share with you first some highlights from the trip… 🙂

Palaces and Museums in Tehran

Mosques and Mausoleums in Shiraz

Ancient city ruins of Persepolis and Necropolis

Mosaics and Frescoes in Esfahan

Armenian Cathedral in Esfahan

Beautiful flowers and gardens of Iran 

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