fionachan's journal

A 'place' I have visited

IRAN | Thursday, 4 July 2013 | Views [991] | View Larger Image

Bread is a staple meal in Iran, particularly, freshly baked bread. I entered this bakery in Yazd with a local who wanted to show me the process. The baker made dough then placed each piece on the inside wall of the oven. After he took the bread out, it was shortly sold to customers. He gave one piece to us. Hot and crispy.

Tags: yazd, iran, bakery, bread

A number of people I meet in Iran are students, studying their first degree or subsequent degree in university.

I met two of them in Persepolis. While our conversation was limited to basic English, the feeling exchanged was one of warmth, fun and innocence. They suggested a photograph, which I happily obliged. From the LCD screen, I saw their solemn pose.

‘This is not them,’ I thought to myself. I showed them the photo, told them to smile. Before they could pose again, I clicked my camera. ‘Not ready,’ one of them exclaimed. ‘More natural,’ I responded and showed them the photo. A happy moment immortalized.

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Whenever I pass a group of schoolchildren, I greet them with a wave and say, ‘Salam’ (Persian for hello), which encourages them to return the greeting. Generally, I do not linger unless the occasion requires it.

Such an occasion arose when I met a large class of schoolgirls inside the Shaikh Safi Mausoleum in Ardabil. They had separated into smaller groups of friends who peeked at me with excited curiosity. I greeted the group nearest to me then paused. Their eyes full of anticipation.

‘My name is Fiona. I am from Australia.’ I held out my hand. After a few handshakes, the rest of the children approached, individually announced their names. We shook hands, gave each other high-fives.

I took this photo before the entire class of 30 children or more, gathered in front of me. It was a special moment not interrupted by an attempt to capture it. This was the future of Iran.

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fionachan's journal

A 'place' I have visited

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