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Still in Iran and still having fun!
I've been working my way South with Alex (aussie guy who is popping up in some of the photos). We're having a lot of fun and have travelled from Tehran (the capital) to Qom (second holiest city in Iran after Mashhad) to Kashan (photos of beautiful houses) and are now in Esfahan - which is the real gem of Iran with many beautiful mosques and squares (second biggest square in world after Tianamen in China).
Tehran was fun! Mad but fun! The women dress very daringly! By that, i mean that their headscarves are almost constantly falling off, and their long dresses up sometimes above their knees (with jeans underneath of course)! They are really heavily made up and many have had nose -jobs, i saw three girls with noses all bandaged up!!!
I spent 2 mornings in Tehran running around like a headless chicken trying to organise visas for my next countries! This is still going on and pretty tricky! I wont bore you with the details, but I'm trying to get to Turkmenistan then Uzbekistan and then Kyrgyzstan then China. Turkmen one proving very difficult for no apparent reason so may have to fly over it unfortunately - will keep you posted!
A little bit of sightseeing in Tehran, but it is really just a big city- busy and polluted- a few beautiful parks though! US den of espionage was interesting (check the photos) this is where in 1978 the US embassy was overrun after the US had conspired against the current president of Iran. No one has anything nice to say about old George Bush here!
Down to Qom, a beatiful city. We arrived on Thursday night (everyone takes Friday the holy day off) so there were loads of people out and about and we managed to get into the shrine there - tourists not allowed and had a good look round. Then left that night for Koshan.
Koshan is famous for its beautiful old stately houses! Many layered, with 2 or 3 courtyards and stunning architecture - i hope my photos do it justice!!! Spent the day wondering around there and arrived late last night in Esfahan!
The landscape on the way down here was incredible. Very much like Mordor from the Lord of the Rings. For those who havent watched or read it, think red sky, jagged and sharp peaks, dusty dry desert and parched soil. Thats Mordor or the interior of Iran!
Havent seen too much of Esfahan yet. just the bridges over the river and the main street. But it has a load of amazing buildings and squares - so i will be putting some photos up soon!!!!
Managing to get the prices of taxis right now after many arguments and a few big fall outs with the local taxi touts!! The best way to travel is in a shared taxi, which means 5 people in a cab. Quite amusing, because women can not sit next to unrelated men - so there are constant seat changes throughout a ride! Similar in buses!!!
Time to reply to your emails now! please keep the messages and emails coming - its great to hear from you all!
johnie rocket
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