Dancing as a Stripper in Iran (VII)

Although I am japanese (ie Asian), meaning that I can't dance for bloody hell, I still try and make the best out of it by compensating with my bellydancing skills. Whether it be NYC or Maku, i've been swimming in bling! This turned out quite promising with my booty-shaking and techno playing ipod, as like a popular cheap whore, money was thrown at me like hotcakes.I even did the 'dishwashing' and 'lawn-mowing' routine' that I learned from a gay classmate.

I had the opportunity to encounter a jolly old wedding in the little town of Maku in the Western Azerbaijan by the Turkish border. It was random, as I was just returning from my visit to St Thaddeus' church a few miles away. We saw the event going on in the middle of the streets and decided to take part in it. After the villagers were done with their male-only cute circle-dance routine, i decided to compensate by doing a solo bellydancing gig while i plugged in my Turkish bellydancing music, Tarkan indeed is so sexy.

Men, both Japanese and locals, threw money at me like a Las Vegas stripper. i gave all the proceeds to the bride and groom, but later i found out that Iranians don't dance like so. Arabs dance with their hips, whereas the iranians are known for their active arm movements.

In the village of Maku, at 5am, I decided to walk up these steep cliffs to see the famous Safavid citadel built upon the heights of the high rock formations. I later found out that their main mosque was up here, regardless of my huffing and puffing. Wow, locals can make it this far every week, "respek man, respek". (too much Borat, sorry...so out of date, apparently)

We proceeded onto the beatiful city of Tabriz that day. Despite its status as a major urban town, I came to the realization that it is full of culture (armenian mosques, sexy hot Bazaar built 500 years ago and still used to this day - the best in Iran...35 kms of passageways,come on).

Tabriz happens to be veiled in mystery when it comes to its origins. According to Biblical studies, it is claimed to be the opening gates of the garden of Eden! Tabriz' markets are known to be the highest quality of all. here, one can purchase anything from mysterious natural remedies to the finest antique gold necklace, that is only if they know their way around.

I must say, when a jeweller scoffed at me for asking whether the necklace was 24carats, he claimed that there is nothing lower than 18 carats sold in Iran...because 'duhhhh, gold iz nat gold unless it is 18 or khei-er!'

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