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POSTCARDS FROM IRAN

POSTCARDS FROM IRAN

During the nine days of traveling in Iran, we have been impressed by one highlight after another in the form of ancient mosques in every city we’ve visited,  the opulent Golestan Palace, the dazzling Crown Jewels housed in a giant bank vault, the Carpet Museum to whet our purchasing appetites, Tehran’s congested Grand Bazaar,  the illustrated manuscripts and miniature paintings in the Islamic Museum, the Zoroastrian community of Yazd,  and the highest wind-catching tower  in Iran, just to name a few.  And then there is the food, which has definitely exceeded my expectations with exotic flavors using unusual herbs like barberry blossoms, and probably the best plain yoghurt I have ever tasted in my life.  Even better than the delicious yoghurt my mother used to make.  And the flat breads from crispy to puffy, served  warm.   I continue to be amazed at how outgoing and friendly the Iranian people are, especially when they find out we are from America.  The drivers on the other hand are wild, impulsive, erratic and sometimes crazy, except for our van driver, who is conscientious, courteous and safe .

Our excursion days are long and our nights are short, which means there isn’t sufficient time to sort through my many images of the day and write detailed posts, although there is so much to tell you.  In the meantime,  here are a few photographs from the last few days —  a  brief sample of what we are seeing.  The adventure continues……….

 

THE BAZAAR IN KERMAN

 

 

HAND STITCHING IN THE BAZAAR

 

 

PRAYING AT THE LOCAL MOSQUE IN KERMAN

 

ENJOYING A HOOKAH AFTER LUNCH

 

mm

Pam Perkins

pamperk@pacbell.net
23 Comments
  • carla newton

    October 19, 2017 at 12:50 pm Reply

    You are bringing back wonderful memories of my time in Iran. Thank you! Carla

  • carla newton

    October 19, 2017 at 12:51 pm Reply

    Thank you so much for bringing back so many wonderful memories of my travels in Iran. Knowing you, I can imagine what fabulous conversations you are having with the fabulously
    friendly Iranians. Carla

    • mm

      Pam Perkins

      October 21, 2017 at 10:24 am Reply

      You are right, Carla. We are meeting so many wonderful people. The trip has been amazing! We are now in Shiraz where we will be for three nights. I’m posting photos on Instagram as are Lois and Linda. xoxo

  • Bill Ardis

    October 19, 2017 at 12:56 pm Reply

    U R Dauntless. Amazing photos. As ever, thank you, thank you, thank you.

    Love you!

    Bill

    • mm

      Pam Perkins

      October 21, 2017 at 10:25 am Reply

      And you are so loyal. Thank you back to you! xoxoxo Pam

  • Don Christie

    October 19, 2017 at 4:09 pm Reply

    Great progress report, Pam. Be safe.

    • mm

      Pam Perkins

      October 21, 2017 at 10:25 am Reply

      Thanks, Don. This has been quite an eye-opening experience.

  • Mindy Wilcox

    October 19, 2017 at 5:12 pm Reply

    Gorgeous and exciting!! Thanks, my friend!

    • mm

      Pam Perkins

      October 21, 2017 at 10:26 am Reply

      So glad you are enjoying it. It’s hard to find time to write.

  • Brooks Goddard

    October 19, 2017 at 6:51 pm Reply

    Kerman is a lovely place as is Yazd. People are great. Why can’t govts be so too?

    • mm

      Pam Perkins

      October 21, 2017 at 10:27 am Reply

      Brooks, I reread your lovely ITN piece today as we were driving from Kerman to Shirz. Such an eye-opening
      experience.

  • Peggye

    October 19, 2017 at 9:16 pm Reply

    Thanks for taking time to share. ENJOY! Hugs to you both/Peggye

    • mm

      Pam Perkins

      October 21, 2017 at 10:28 am Reply

      Peggye, Iran has been quite an eye-opening experience.

  • Karen Naman

    October 19, 2017 at 10:45 pm Reply

    Beautiful. Can’t wait to see the rest of the photos. Glad you are enjoying yourself.

    • mm

      Pam Perkins

      October 21, 2017 at 10:29 am Reply

      Thank you! This has been quite a trip. Our day begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m. Have taken a ton of pictures.

  • Sybil Burgess

    October 19, 2017 at 10:54 pm Reply

    I am so happy you are having such a good experience there! I can hardly wait for the book! And the poem, of course.
    Sybil

  • Barbara

    October 19, 2017 at 11:08 pm Reply

    Traveling along with you is fabulous. Thank you Pam!

    • mm

      Pam Perkins

      October 21, 2017 at 10:30 am Reply

      Thank you, Barbara. This has been quite a trip. Can’t wait to tell you about it in person.

  • Zoya

    January 2, 2018 at 11:39 am Reply

    Thank you for sharing. I love the moments you have captured.

    • mm

      Pam Perkins

      January 2, 2018 at 9:19 pm Reply

      Thanks, Zoya. I hope you were able to read my major piece entitled “How do I tell my Friends about my Amazing Trip to Iran”

  • Kristen Pendleton

    February 8, 2019 at 7:53 am Reply

    Hello Pam, I would be interested to know more about how you get such wonderful photos of people, especially faces. For instance the couple enjoying hookah after lunch. Do you ask people? Do you use a telephoto lens? Any stories you’d like to share? I remember my mom saying she was spit on at a market in Oaxaca because she took a photo without asking. Usually I don’t have the nerve to take the photos that I wish to take. Thank you for sharing yours.

    • mm

      Pam Perkins

      February 8, 2019 at 6:44 pm Reply

      Hi Kristen, Thanks for asking. I actually have a reputation as someone who can get herself into people’s houses or at least in their face. If you look through my gallery you will see that I take a lot of pictures of people and in my last blog piece entitled People of Cuba, you will have a better idea of what I do. You have to be sensitive to the country and to the people where you are traveling. In Morocco it was clear that people do not want their pictures taken so I have lots of pictures of buildings, camels and spice markets. But in most of the countries where I travel, I don’t have a problem. it’s all about the approach. In Iran the people wanted their picture taken and yes, I always try and ask if I can take their picture and generally because of my approach, I’m pretty successful. Check out my gallery. I also travel with little gifts in my backpack which is a friendly gesture and gets me photos. I always try and speak a few words in their language and then laugh at myself and point at my camera. Markets, especially in Mexico can be touchy places because so many tourists go there. I often talk with the people in markets well before I ask if I can take their photo. When they so no, I smile and walk away, but I know how your Mom must have felt. Looks like you are getting settled in your new home. I hope it’s going well.

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