Blogs from Shiraz, South, Iran, Middle East - page 3

NB: This post was originally written on Sunday, October 31st, 2010. 'Well, it’s the end of my second full day in Shiraz, embarking on my second visit to Iran. Yesterday, after having slept for a much-needed 12 hours on Friday night (I spent a total of 48 hours in-transit to get from Melbourne-Shiraz, with only max 5 hours’ sleep in between), I was befriended by a quirky 28 y.o. man by the name of Mostafa, who is one of the approx. 12 workers in the hotel at which I am now employed as well. He showed me around Shiraz on foot, saying that he would’ve liked to have taken me around on a motorbike (and indeed, I love riding on the back of motorbikes!), but he wanted me to get to know my surroundings properly first, ... read more

panj shanbeJan20R Had earlier considered a day visit to Kashan, before heading south by buses; however, these plans fall apart, so I change itinerary and ask Elham to look into a flight to Shiraz, thinking that the LPIran itinerary would be best to follow and eventually leave me working my way north by some combination of buses, bus tours and taxis. In this way, I would be working my way back to Tehran for my Feb3 departure rather than travelling away from my point of final departure from Iran (this approach was learned in Korea – risky ventures first and early in journey and small short trips last, so you remain close to home prior to final departure). I find this a more suitable plan of attack for travelling to the cities of Shiraz, Persepolis, Yazd, ... read more

From the city of Kerman I got yet another bus westwards to the famous city of Shiraz. The Iranian chick I'd met in Esfahan had told me to meet her there and she would show me around. At the bus station I stood and stared at the coach. For some odd reason the bus had a Crystal Palace Football Club sticker on the back window; and this is by no means the sole occurrence of a mid-table English football club finding itself in Iran. I recently spotted a coach with hooligan- fantastic Millwall Football Club badge. Somehow the former team coaches of English football clubs have been sent to Iran - and I don't know why. I think that's why I've kept smiling. The journey took seven hours of winding roads through more of Iran's hot ... read more

Nach den wenig positiven Nachrichten gestern, und der Tatsache, dass ich mein Gepäck wohl frühestens in Berlin wiedersehen werde, bleibt mir nichts anderes übrig, als das beste draus zu machen und dreimal am Tag bei Iran Air anzurufen (obwohl die ja nicht mal was dafür können - schließlich war es Jazeera, die es verbummelt haben). Zunächst einmal also: SHOPPEN! Nun bin ich also "stolzer" Besitzer einer "Original" Calvin-Klein -Unterhose samt "Nike"-Socken - und das für nur 3 Euro :) Der Kauf eines T-Shirts ist schwieriger. Auf fast allen steht penetrant riesig D&G, Versace oder Armani drauf. Die iranischen Männer fahren da voll drauf ab, aber mir ist das irgendwie doch etwas zu albern. Ansonsten geht es jetzt nach Teheran. Dabei fängt dann auch der Flugzeugpspinnerkram an: Erst mit einer Boeing 727 nach Teheran, und dann hoffentlich ... read more

Sunday I had an early start to Shiraz for the seven hour bus trip from Esfahan. Empty dry lanscape to gaze at through the dusty windows. We pass a small truck, almost overflowing with its cargo of juicy-looking sib. Another truck with a load of sheep, and two men only just clinging to the back. A third truck with the disheartening word 'Tesco' emblazed on its flank. A huge sign proclaiming 'Persian Gulf's Premier Entertainment Venue', next to a deserted carpark and several piles of broken bricks. The bus was an old and faded luxury model, with engine problems that required hourly stops and staff running back and forth to the rear with containers of water. I couldn't see smoke, so I assumed it was not on fire - yet. Shiraz was big, but on first ... read more