Leaving the Silk Road

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Sitting at Imam Khomeini airport, the only thing I can think about is how the environment of the ancient Silk Road changed over the millennium. I have traveled from the beginning of the Road in China to its midway in Middle East, each border crossing requiring extensive visa application process, and each country requiring a local guide to translate lunch orders. It was not like this 2,000 years ago. Aside from the infamous conquerors, the road from Beijing to Venice was relative safe and well traveled. The connected countries traded goods, knowledge, religion, language, and culture. Today, the Silk Road is divided into distinct spheres of influences, each sphere trying to gain the upper hand in geopolitics. It was not until recently the countries tried to re-establish long forgotten relationships, but it is only due to the need for natural resources. History tends to repeat itself, so I can only hope one day there will be a modern Silk Road, where not only goods, but people, beliefs and ideas can travel freely.

THE ELECTIONS STORIES - Part III
This is the last bit of the conversations that I compiled. Wonder how they compare with the nuclear situation to be unveiled next week.

"I am certain that most Iranians want politics to be separated with religion. In the past, two dynasties had religion with politics, and they didn't end well. First was the Sassanian with Zoroastrianism (224-647AD), then the Safavid with Islam (16th century). They focused too much on religion, and not enough on the policy. Only future can tell what's going to happen. But if you ask university students, we all want that/"

"My personal opinion is that the government shouldn't insist on the nuclear program too much. I am sure that the government is not going to make bombs, because we don't need it. We have the right to develop it, especially when the progress is this far, and resources will run out. But we must cooperate with other countries, so that we can have more economic opportunities. Like the two plane crashed we had earlier this year, because we don't have new planes. Also the country needs more important developments, like medicine and infrastructure."

"Iranians had good relations with Jews since Cyrus' time (2500BC) until Pahlavi time (1930's). There are still Jews living in Iran today. Iran's relation with Israel went bad because Israel occupied Palestine. Palestinians are Muslims, our brothers."

"The people responsible for the bombing are the extreme Sunnis, the Wahhabi. They don't believe Shi'ite are real Muslims. They are told that if they kill three Shi'ite they will go to the heaven. And they always bomb Shi'ite mosques since they think its sacrilegious. Some Muslim government officials, not just Iranians, think that the west wants to control Muslims by instigate internal conflict. Some Iranians think this is the truth too." (Unfortunately, history supports this suspicion, as Britain, Russian, and the US tried to influence this oil rich country through subterfuge)

"What do I think about American people? I think they are very nice. American government, I think they like to fight too much. Not good."

"I didn't vote. I voted once, four years ago, and I saw how the country and the situation got worse, and I will never vote again. Ahmadinejhad was the best that happened to Iran, since everything went bad in such a short period of time. Something has to happen up top for things to change for the better in Iran. There are no capable candidates right now, so if you can help yourself then don't vote. That's why I'm leaving Iran. I am proud and lucky to be an Iranian woman. I love my country and will come back."

"The solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is for them to live together peacefully. If they can't, maybe they can fortify the borders. That region doesn't belong to Muslims, Jews, or Christians. It belongs to the world."

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Photos

Walk at the Fin Garden
One of the most famous Persian gardens

Abyaneh Tales
The old town of Abyaneh, where people still live the simple life, Zoroastrianism was practiced until the 16th century, and houses are still built with red clay.

Martyr Shrine
In every city, town, and village, photos of Iran-Iraq war heroes are pasted for remembrance

Hello America
One of the numerous friend locals

Passing Down the Flame
Fires are often started during the day, maybe a vestige of Zoroastrianism

Tabatanei House
House of a wealthy merchant at Kashan, north of Natanz