Advertisement
Published: August 22nd 2009
Edit Blog Post
Imam Square
The view from Ali Qapu Palace Been exactly a month since I last updated. Reason being was that I had been too caught up with school and such, and well, second year in university isn't exactly that smooth-sailing. And the term's just started! Nonetheless, I shall try to meticulously update because I really really have lots of things to share with everyone, so, here goes!
Though the Iran adventure ended approximately 8 months ago, whatever happened remains vividly in my mind. I guess that's the advantage of being young? You tend to recall these experiences better than, say, a 60 year old unless you record it down somewhere, like a videocam or something.
Esfahan They said that Esfahan is half of the world, and too right it was! Before I left for Iran, I read all about Esfahan and it sounded like a shopper's heaven. Well, if you love handicrafts and carpets and little trinkets and sweet treats, well, you should already be on your way to Esfahan! You can get any of these almost anywhere, just make a left up that street, venture into the lonely alleys, and you will be greeted with shops, shops and more shops! They are really affordable as
well. I was very tempted to buy everything that looks like a nougat. 😊 I guess if you are a 20 year old, you would have these incredible, can't-hold-back urges, especially when you are a growing girl, haha!
Moving on from food, I had the wonderful opportunity of making a trip to the Imam Square. It was a sight to behold! If you go there in the day, well, try going there at night, where the lights would be switched on and you would be dazzled with all that you see! Shops do not open till late, so make your purchases fast. And do remember to haggle, alright? Prices are quoted in Tomans, the local currency, but if you are not familiar with the Tomans, just ask the shopkeeper to quote it in Iranian Riyals (IRR). It's much better that way. I didn't have the chance to ask why they quoted in Tomans instead of Riyals, but hey, these kinds of information can pretty much be found out anywhere and anywhere - virtually.
Mum wanted to buy some carpets as we are in the process of redecorating our house for the festival (Hari Raya) which is going to
happen in September. So off we scoot to the Carpet Shop (it's actually a carpet warehouse) where they stock up on the most beautiful carpets you could ever imagine! I had no idea that there are differences between carpets. Prior to that visit to the Carpet Shop, I thought carpets were carpets. I thought that I would have such a boring time in the shop while waiting for mum to select her carpet(s). However, the shopkeepers were extremely hospitable, offering us tea while in the meantime, my mum looked round, looking for the suitable carpet. The shopkeepers showed us the difference between the carpets made in the different regions and tribes of Iran. They showed us how the carpets were made, the inks and dyes used, how it's sent to the various parts of the world for deliveries, and well, it was definitely information overload, but nonetheless, very interesting! They rolled out the carpets, without even a hint of pushing mum to buy any of those. I think they were just delighted to have visitors to their shop and the fact that their employer has a branch in Singapore (my hometown) just makes them all the more excited! If you
The Gem
Mum finally got this carpet plus another tribal carpet were to buy Iranian carpets back in Singapore, a USD5000 carpet in Iran would probably cost USD15,000 over here. So yes, it's better to buy all your carpets in Iran itself because the carpets would not be taxed and such. Eventually, after 3 hours, mum settled on a tribal carpet as well as a carpet which is blue in colour with some silver streaks. I was told that the silver streaks are actually silk. Oh well, we'll see. But yeah, when you step on it, you can definitely feel the softness of the carpet. So much so that I think I would actually sleep on that carpet when it's being laid out at home, but I'm sure that mum wouldn't have any of it! Nevertheless, I can't wait for the 22nd of September, where the carpets would be rolled out in our living room!!! How exciting!!!!
Another feature of Esfahan that had truly caught my attention is the presence of bridges. Bridges, bridges everywhere. Of course, it is just apt that Esfahan is also called The Land of Bridges. Each bridge differed from the next, in terms of structure, decoration, you get the drift. The first bridge that will
greet you as soon as you enter Esfahan would be the Khawju Bridge. Shah Abbas commanded the construction of the bridge, as he did with the Chehelsotoon Palace (the palace with a lot of mirrors. It really exposes your vain side, I swear). Khawju Bridge is made of bricks, and it is quite unique as there are two levels to the bridge. The first level is really for pedestrians, while the second level is for cattle and horses to walk past (in those days). It reminds me of the Cavenagh Bridge we have in Singapore. Cattles walk on it previously. There were minimal fences to protect the little children playing on the bridge from falling into the river, so yeah, you gotta take care of yourself.
Back to Imam Square (pardon me for the incoherence, I just had too many things to write that it seems almost impossible to organize everything neatly!), you must must must visit Ali Qapu Palace. Initially, when told that we were going to the Ali Qapu Palace, my immediate reaction was, "What? Another palace? I thought once we see one, we would've seen everything!" So, with a heart that refuses to just go there,
I made my way to the Palace. Boy, was I wrong! I think some of you might have realised that I do have my prejudices, which I think it's inevitable given the society that we all live in. Moving on, yes, Ali Qapu Palace. They actually had a music room in the palace, where the musicians would play instruments for the King's guests. They carved the shape of instruments into the walls, which is really the distinct feature of the room. Climbing to the near top allowed me to see the area in which there used to be a small swimming pool for the children. However, the swimming pool is no longer there. What remained was a crater-like shape carved into the floor. However, the view from here (to see Imam Square in its most spectacular form) was amazing! You can see each and everything that's going on in there. 😊 I like the view!
Another palace which was nearby was the Chehelsotoon Palace. Recall that I did mention this palace briefly in the earlier paragraph. This palace is not quite a long distance from Imam Square, and it's really near to the dinosaur museum. Yes, I am not
kidding. They do have a dinosaur museum. So yes, this palace, I was told, used to have every inch decorated with glass. Stained glass, clear glass, mirror glass, you name it, they had it. It really makes you vain. Tested and tried. What was really interesting on the interior of the palace was that the workers used real gold to outline the drawings and the walls and ceilings. The gold is even vivid today, though most of the drawings were destroyed. You can see the destruction of the drawings, and later artists trying to restore the paintings to its former glory. I was told not to use the Flash option in the palace, for fear that it might disintegrate the gold. So yes, please remember not to use the Flash option when you are in places like these.
Hmm, I think that should be enough for today. Till then, stay happy! Toodles!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.085s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 10; qc: 53; dbt: 0.0435s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
andrew mclagan
non-member comment
Your blog is great!
Hello, Thank you for sharing your Iranian experience with the world. I Plan to be in Iran within a month or such. Your writing has increased my anticipation and for this i say thank you. My mother traveled to Iran twice when she was younger and had only good things to say, along with many great stories. Im an Australian Photographer who lived in Malaysia recently for 6 months with some close friends of mine (Melawati, Kalang valley) . Iran offers me a unique opportunity to capture a truly beautiful country. good luck with your life. -Andrew