...I felt really strange when visiting Babak's home, because as soon as we entered the house all women and kids went to the other room. Fortunately it eased a bit when he called his mother out and we had chance to introduce. With another friend of Babak we stayed up until late and discussed many life and culture related issues.
Next morning we went out for breakfast and had a walk around a local parks and streets, meeting many friends who would not hesitate to practise their English with a stranger. Later we also visited city and the museum of famous Iranian poet (name i cannot remember). After we spent few moments in crowdy park where many local people and crows have picnic together. Tasting local cakes and non-alcoholic fruity brew was essential to gain more energy for further explorations. The sightseeing and transportation was provided by another Babak's friend who drove us around and even offered me to sit behind his car's steering wheel which I did not feel like trying especially when seeing local trafic.
In the meantime, they dropped me at the center where I met Amir, who has saved me previous night when sending me a message with Babak's number who could host me that night. This guy Amir is so far the creaziest Iranien creature I have so far met, and I do not think I will meet many crazier if any. At this point I was trying to find a VisaCard friendly cashpoint, when I learned that Visa is not supported in Iran and therefore I can not really use my account. Fortunately I have little bit of cash and that will have to be enough for me to last my stay in Iran. I have changed few dollars for funny local money, where thay have two sorts, Rials and Tomans where 100 Tomans = 1000 Rials = approximately 1 USD. Also here we met another traveller from Slovakia Miso who was accommodated by Amir too. And so we made our way to my next host Daryosh(Amir is a guy who I have contacted via CouchSurfing, he was the only positively responding person(out of those 3 requests I managed to send;) but because he could not host at this times, he managed the couches at his friends' places, who have no problem with it). I left there my big rucksack and went with Amir and Miso towards another host for Miso(also managed by Amir the 'couch manager'). Uniting with guy called Hatef we made it to music institute, where they both (Amir and Hatef) have their qopus/komuz (Azerbaijani/Turkish traditional string instrument) teacher and listened to a local folk. Azerbaijani folk feels very strong, emotional, and most of all it gives a never-give-up attitude for people.
Being hungry we have tryed some local specialities - egg and potato wrapped in a bread with the yogurt and herbs(dill+mint) soup. Very vegetarian and tasty.
Next early morning we decided to hike to the top of local 'Red Montain', which is just above the city of Tabriz. Big crowds climbing up with us, red hills, valley chill-out, cooking ever present tea, playing qopus. Beautiful! After this we came back to Hatef place and straight have been called to the table for lunch. Again tasty local dish, I unfortunately do not recall its name. After this lunch me and Miso prepeared the snack for first Couchsurfing meeting in Tabriz - our traditional potato pancake, also called Harula:). With very curious mum of Hatef it went very quick, and so my dish was finalised by the touch of Iranian mother. It could have not been better. Little but happy gathering/picnic in park has given me another opportunity to meet more nice Iranians, who help me to understand this culture and habits. At night me and and Miso were invited by Hatef parents to a family dinner-meeting-birthday party, where we again had chance to experience something completely different from what we saw so far. Rich and specious interior all filled by posh furniture, silver cutlery, many courses to start and finish with, again very friendly and happy Iranians. Having traditional, or maybe also not so traditional fun until early morning hours has uncovered another face of Iranian culture, the culture behind the closed doors. I would never expect to find my hipster-punk-alternative-whatever being at such a family gathering.
Now again I write and there much more to write but my time in internet cafe is running out, I will bring more, also about the attempt to climb the 3rd highest hill in Iran, and also some fotos. I promise;)
Next morning we went out for breakfast and had a walk around a local parks and streets, meeting many friends who would not hesitate to practise their English with a stranger. Later we also visited city and the museum of famous Iranian poet (name i cannot remember). After we spent few moments in crowdy park where many local people and crows have picnic together. Tasting local cakes and non-alcoholic fruity brew was essential to gain more energy for further explorations. The sightseeing and transportation was provided by another Babak's friend who drove us around and even offered me to sit behind his car's steering wheel which I did not feel like trying especially when seeing local trafic.
In the meantime, they dropped me at the center where I met Amir, who has saved me previous night when sending me a message with Babak's number who could host me that night. This guy Amir is so far the creaziest Iranien creature I have so far met, and I do not think I will meet many crazier if any. At this point I was trying to find a VisaCard friendly cashpoint, when I learned that Visa is not supported in Iran and therefore I can not really use my account. Fortunately I have little bit of cash and that will have to be enough for me to last my stay in Iran. I have changed few dollars for funny local money, where thay have two sorts, Rials and Tomans where 100 Tomans = 1000 Rials = approximately 1 USD. Also here we met another traveller from Slovakia Miso who was accommodated by Amir too. And so we made our way to my next host Daryosh(Amir is a guy who I have contacted via CouchSurfing, he was the only positively responding person(out of those 3 requests I managed to send;) but because he could not host at this times, he managed the couches at his friends' places, who have no problem with it). I left there my big rucksack and went with Amir and Miso towards another host for Miso(also managed by Amir the 'couch manager'). Uniting with guy called Hatef we made it to music institute, where they both (Amir and Hatef) have their qopus/komuz (Azerbaijani/Turkish traditional string instrument) teacher and listened to a local folk. Azerbaijani folk feels very strong, emotional, and most of all it gives a never-give-up attitude for people.
Being hungry we have tryed some local specialities - egg and potato wrapped in a bread with the yogurt and herbs(dill+mint) soup. Very vegetarian and tasty.
Next early morning we decided to hike to the top of local 'Red Montain', which is just above the city of Tabriz. Big crowds climbing up with us, red hills, valley chill-out, cooking ever present tea, playing qopus. Beautiful! After this we came back to Hatef place and straight have been called to the table for lunch. Again tasty local dish, I unfortunately do not recall its name. After this lunch me and Miso prepeared the snack for first Couchsurfing meeting in Tabriz - our traditional potato pancake, also called Harula:). With very curious mum of Hatef it went very quick, and so my dish was finalised by the touch of Iranian mother. It could have not been better. Little but happy gathering/picnic in park has given me another opportunity to meet more nice Iranians, who help me to understand this culture and habits. At night me and and Miso were invited by Hatef parents to a family dinner-meeting-birthday party, where we again had chance to experience something completely different from what we saw so far. Rich and specious interior all filled by posh furniture, silver cutlery, many courses to start and finish with, again very friendly and happy Iranians. Having traditional, or maybe also not so traditional fun until early morning hours has uncovered another face of Iranian culture, the culture behind the closed doors. I would never expect to find my hipster-punk-alternative-whatever being at such a family gathering.
Now again I write and there much more to write but my time in internet cafe is running out, I will bring more, also about the attempt to climb the 3rd highest hill in Iran, and also some fotos. I promise;)
Ankara - East Turkey - Iran - Tabriz....It's t really strange.Also new idea I love lot but this is something very new for me but I enjoy more.Here I learn Some recent experience that's are more essential for me.
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