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Published: October 6th 2014
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Barg-e Fin
Famed for its water features Today was sadly our last day in Iran and was supposed to be a fairly dull day. Wake up, eat breakfast, drive to the airport late at night and board the plane. However, Ali and Hojat were kind enough to offer to take us into Tehran to spend the day. One last Iranian experience.
We started the morning with a quick stop at Barg-e Fin (Fin Garden), one of Iran's most beautiful Persian style gardens. Of course, this was our 100th garden for the trip, so we prepared to be slightly underwhelmed. It did turn out to be a very pretty garden though, and to top it off, it had a great story of Amir Kabir. He was a well-loved chancellor that got a bit too much love from the people. The jealous Nasir od-Din, the Shah at that time, had him assassinated in the bath house in Fin garden. The official story is that Amir Kabir accidently slit his wrists while having a bath. Wax figures retell this story in the bathhouse today. The other interesting thing in this garden were the fountains. This is the desert and hence water is scarce and water pressure even scarcer. However, using
Barg-e Fin (Fin Garden)
Famed for its water features a small spring behind the garden and some smart engineering the architects of the garden were able to create numerous water fountains and continuous water flow. Looking at it, you can take it for granted - its just water. But considering the location, its some pretty smart engineering.
We then headed into Tehran to waste time. Our first stop was the Jewel museum. This place is extraordinary. The Iranian government stores a collection of amazing jewels for public viewing in a bank vault. Its high security - no cameras, no bags and metal detectors. And its clear why. We've never seen such enormous jewels - ruby's and diamonds and emeralds and all things shiny. If you've played fantasy or RPG games and ever picked up a jeweled dagger - well they have real ones here. And jeweled scimitars. Amazing gemmed helmets. Phenomenally wealthy - that's what these Shahs were. We've been to various European palaces in the past to view the crown jewels on display - and those European ones look like convenience store instant coffee next to these. Alas no photos - but if you are in town, this is a must see.
We then walked the
Barg-e Fin (Fin Garden)
Famed for its water features streets of Tehran cruising for last minute eating opportunities. Within minutes we spied the juice shops and proceeded to get intoxicated on more Pistachio milk and Honeydew juice. Alas we were all kebabed out so our treats stuck solely to the sweeter less meaty side of the palate.
It was still several hours until our flight, so Ali took us to the north of Tehran to a park called fire and ice. The prime goal was to make the children run around like crazy so they would be comatosed on the flight. We struck gold. There was a large tiled area spurting up jets of water periodically. The kids spent an hour running around like mad dogs tiring themselves out. Every 30 minutes some nearby towers would shoot out fire. The first time it did, our littlest ran to us with the most horrid look of terror we had ever seen. And all we could do was laugh because it was so funny to see her one minute taunting the fountain jets and the next minute screaming her head off in terror. Lovely parents that we are.
Meanwhile my poor wife was not feeling well and was having
dizzy spells so she decided to recline on a nearby staircase. I was busy looking after the kids, so I didn't notice a small group of people approach her. When I returned a few minutes later I found a concerned women sitting next to her laying her hands on my wife's head. The lady's eyes were closed and she looked like she was mentally chanting. A man (her husband I assume) mentioned to me that they had seen this poor distraught foreigner passed out and that his wife was using her special powers to revive her. I explained that the distraught foreigner was my wife and that she was just lying down. He gently explained that she needed special care, that something was wrong and that she should go to a hospital. I was touched at their concern, and even more touched that they would take the time to try their special magic (I have no idea what they were doing - some kind of meditation hand magic). However I know my wife and she was just tired so I politely tried to explain that everything was okay and tried to move them on. At this point a few policemen
Barg-e Fin
Famed for its water features and a few others had congregated around to have a look what was going on - we were starting to cause quite a bit of a scene. Eventually they left after my continuous and profuse 'thank you for your kindness' pleas. One more feather in the cap for Iranians - kind and caring people. Western media you really do paint an awful picture.
And so that's how our last day in Iran ended. All that's left to tell are the last moments sitting in the airport. You could see the look of impatience on every foreign woman's face. Because as soon as they boarded the plane and their feet were off Iranian soil - off came those head scarves. Out came a collective sigh of relief. Hair.
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Home and Away
Bob Carlsen
I've enjoyed traveling with you...
I don't know if I'll ever be able to visit Iran, being an American, but have wanted to do so to finish this section of the Silk Road...I've traveled most of the rest. I love your writing style, and how it revealed the warmth of the Iranian people. I'm looking forward to your next trip!