Life in Iran

It is always difficult to get a handle on what it is like for ordinary people, especially on a tour.  But we saw some things.

Learner driver in Tehran.  The learner was a young lady learner - obviously we were not in Saudi Arabia!

Mobile phones and driving are quite compatible.  The congestion allows sms to be sent I suppose.

 School Children

And an ingenious way to not mix up backpacks!

At a shop, one young man struck up a conversation with me and another woman on our tour.  He said that he was glad to see tourists in Iran because it would open up the minds of Iranians. I commented that it was not only Iranians who needed their minds opened - but that's another story. Then he went into a bitter diatribe against the government - corrupt, doesn't care about the people, education, health etc etc.  Wow.  Just as well we were not recording it!

Lost in Translation - and loos.

In a historic house.

 We got the message. Do some of the squiggles look like "piss off"?

 Care for some air freshener?

Loos are a constant curiosity and source of mild anxiety in a foreign land.  But this one has all bases covered!

Lost in Translation - food

This from the cafe at Persepolis.  We bypassed these offerings and opted for coffee, without soil or distillates, here on earth.

This from some buffets.....
A health warning!

And if you can't have it all...

 No idea about ardur - hors d'oeuvres?  Despite the spelling, I always recognise dessert!

But the best of all was at breakfast one day, where "Espionage Crepe" was available.  A brave person took one and found it was spinach..  It was remembered for the whole trip!

Safely home

We had a good flight this morning from Singapore, helped enormously by the vacant seat between us and the fact that it was a day flight.

Now unpacking.  And I have lectures tomorrow - a third year Politics subject - Politics & Religion! How timely.