Redefining Iran

Middle East » Iran
July 27th 2013

Published: August 11th 2013

My palms are sweating as I nervously wait in line at immigration, thinking about the $500 I spent on the visa to come here, and the amount of hassle I had to go through. Will it all be a waste? How many difficulties am I going to have here too? Finally, it’s my time to step up. He takes my passport, looks at me and cocks his head. ‘Eeengland?’ he asks. ‘Yes’, I reply, smiling and trying ... Read Full Entry

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Ross Parker

After finishing a 4 year degree in Civil Engineering, I decided I needed a break from looking at buildings, roads and bridges and so headed to South Korea to teach ESL to a bunch of 3 year olds for a year. I enjoyed it so much I decided to continue the adventure in Vietnam, and I lived in Saigon teaching Maths and Science to lower secondary school kids for 6 months. I then went off exploring and spent some time travelling through Asia before heading to the Middle East and making my way back to England through the Balkans and Europe. The next 5 years has been spent furthering my career in Civil... full info

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11th August 2013

Keep Smiling
Mike Fossey

Another one for my bucket list...
...one I'd not even considered before!

11th August 2013

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

I'd love to visit Iran
Your writing is spectacular and the photos grand. You've painted word pictures that are sure to please. I do believe your blog will get a few more people interested in visiting Iran. Thanks for sharing your observations.

11th August 2013

MarthaS
Martha Leonard

Many Thanks
I thoroughly enjoyed your blog about Iran, along with the photos. I would like to thank you for such an in-depth narrative and exploration of your thoughts and feelings. How true that the image of Iran is and continues to be so awful--certainly in the US. I have often thought that we scorn or fear what we do not know and do not bother to find out. How wonderful to learn more about the country and the people and to find out they are not the monsters politics makes them out to be. One question (maybe two): do you speak Farsi? If not, did the people you stayed overnight with speak English?

12th August 2013

Ross Parker
Ross Parker

Thanks! No I only managed to learn a few basic phrases in Farsi, but everyone I stayed with overnight spoke good English!

12th August 2013

RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew

Fantastic blog!
Really enjoyed this blog Ross - it's a place we know so little about, thanks for sharing your experiences. Safe travels! :)

12th August 2013

JayExiomo
Jay Exiomo

Such a lovely blog
Sounds like you've had a great time. I've always wanted to visit Iran but and even more so after reading your blog. I found your attempt to shatter the stereotypes towards Iranians especially interesting since my country, the Philippines, lost to Iran for the gold medal in a basketball game and there has been some sort of animosity to the Iranians among a few Filipinos. Great read. Hope to see more of your writings in the future!

12th August 2013

The Travel Camel
Shane Dallas

Touched by the Middle East
This blog beautifully encapsulates why the Middle East is my favourite region in the world. The hospitality is without peer and the perception for those who have never travelled there is far removed from reality. The media report one bad incident about a Middle Eastern city and people wrongly extrapolate it to apply to the whole country or even the region. The idea that guests are friends/gifts from God is universal throughout the Middle East - whether that be Iraq, Jordan, Syria or Yemen. I hope you can return to explore the region further and be touched by more of the wonderful hospitality. Thank you for posting such a superb blog.

12th August 2013

Sophie Pottle
non-member comment

Bought a tear to my eye!
One of the best blogs yet Ross, truly inspirational and moving and is an amazing witness of what is a great country! You should think about going professional you would do good changing the opinions of the world and teaching us not to judge. Really enjoyed hearing about your experiences! Thank you

12th August 2013

Ross Parker
Ross Parker

Thanks Soph!

12th August 2013

cornerduck
murray coates

excellent post
I have read your blog twice now and have all but decided to go to Iran this November. I am going to be in Dubai any way and Iran seems like a logical next step. Thanks for your blog-really helpful...

12th August 2013

Ross Parker
Ross Parker

Nice - I heard about a boat that goes a few times a week from Sharjah next to Dubai to Bandar Lengeh in the south of Iran, or there's cheap flights from Sharjah airport to Shiraz too...

22nd August 2013

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Profoundly beautiful observations of a misunderstood people...
as distinct from their government. I hope you are right that freedom will eventually come to those that so longingly look for it. I would love to visit someday, but am still reticent. It's interesting that Rick Steves' only travelogue outside of Europe was Iran...he portrayed a similar story as yours.

11th September 2013

cornerduck
murray coates

visa approved
I have my visa invitation letter waiting in Dubai and have booked my flight. Thanks again

12th September 2013

Ross Parker
Ross Parker

Great! Hope you have a good time - let me know how you get on!

11th October 2013

Ali
non-member comment

Persepolis Football Club
Actually the person who has written this, is a Persepolis Football Club huge fan. Nothing to do with Persepolis ruins I guess :) I enjoyed your photos and writings by the way

26th November 2013

cornerduck
murray coates

Back from Iran
I am now back in Canada after my trip in the Middle East and Ethiopia. The Iran part was a great experience and I would recommend it to everyone- the people could not have been nicer- Where else do the immigration people at the airport shake your hand and invite you to stay longer?

3rd December 2013

Ross Parker
Ross Parker

Ah amazing! Glad you had a great time!

15th May 2014

visit2iran
Mahboubeh Maleki

i read your writing about Iran, thanks for sharing it truly while ignoring media propaganda against Iran. Best wishes

15th May 2014

Ross Parker
Ross Parker

Thanks, glad you liked it!

17th May 2014

visit2iran
Mahboubeh Maleki

especially liked the conclusion part :)
I have shared your blog in my facebook wall as I have some friends from other countries and I hope your writing help them to think different about my country. When I am outside of Iran, the first impression after knowing I am from Iran is shocked eyes with a series of weird questions which really hurts! Thanks once again for continuing the circle of kindness and I am sure that your Persian friends whom hosted you, are also quite happy with the style of your writing and sharing your feelings. P.S. you were in some places over here which I haven't seen them yet!

29th June 2014

Leonardo Nascimento
non-member comment

Brazilian in Iran in 2015
I can't say how excited and curious I am now to visit Iran next January.

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Redefining Iran

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