Samane Ehsaninia: A brave Iranian artist
What if you lost all mobility? Iranian Samane Ehsaninia went from total hopelessness to becoming an author, painter and motivational speaker. Here’s the story in her own words.
Our Iran Road Trip > Meeting a shepherd The hard life of a shepherd in Iran
For the Iranian shepherd, wolves, bears and angry donkeys are never as bad as the bad economy. And now global warming threatens what’s left. Here’s an interview with someone we met on our Iran travels who experiences all this on daily basis.
Mobster turned Moslem servant “Mortician, wash my dead body calmly”
In the words of this former mobster: “I didn’t even have to ask for protection money. Shopkeepers just came out in the street and gave it to me because they knew what I would do to them if they didn’t. But I have asked forgiveness from everyone of them.”
North Iran Tour: Fantastic local food And avoiding Iranian hotels on our 4th day of escape from Tehran
Getting non-industrial food in Iran is as likely as running into Joe Biden at the supermarket – unless you specfically ask for farm-fresh food. And beware of Iranian hotels many fake stars.
Religious Holidays in Iran: Lots of Free Food! Tasty free food is bonus of religious holidays in Iran
Here’s a story on I ate fantastic Persian food (after insulting the host) thanks to the legendary Iranian tradition of feeding the masses with free food to honor the dead saints of Shia Islam.
Music Tourism in Iran: classic Persian Music This is why I live in Iran!
Don’t pass up the chance to attend a performance of classic Persian music during a trip to Iran. For me, it was an emotional experience tonight.
Iran’s Religious Holidays: When men cook I helped cook more than a ton of an 800-year-old recipe
I stay in Iran partly because ALWAYS there’s something going on. Today it is helping make more than a ton of “nazri” food – food that is considered holy for both the people who make and those who eat it. For me, I just can’t pass up free food – which is plentiful during Iran’s numerous religious holidays.
Travel in East Azarbaijan: Persian Hospitality Sometimes it's impossible to walk away from Iranians making an offer you can't refuse
Sometimes it’s impossible to walk away from tenacious Iranian hospitality, especially when there’s tea from a charcoal-powered samovar and unforgettable abgoosht.
Iranian attitude to the West: Intoxicated! Despite the state's best efforts, Farsi is as Westernized as ever because acculturation is a way of life in Iran
Iranians are enamored with all things Western. Tourists quickly discover that from the way the locals greet them in the streets and boldly initiate conversation. Sometimes total strangers ask to have selfies taken with tourists they met seconds earlier.