اینجا تهران است، رادیو ایران

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Subject: اینجا تهران است. رادیو ایران
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​Doostan,I hope all is well with you.
I am wandering the streets of Tehran ​ theses days​​--walking everywhere. I go around on foot, buses, and taxies and anything else that picks me up. I often get jolted by a sudden hunk of a car, as the driver find me blocking his right-of-way while I am on the pedestrian cross walk! I stood at a major cross road for many minuets, attempting and showing desire to cross, no chance! I finally risked my leg and stepped into the traffic and the cars stopped. People are cordial in their social contacts, but if you make a mistake somehow, they wouldn't cut you much slacks. They will let you know. People, poor or rich, are organically constipated about walking in their homes with your shoes on. Never come to Iran with laced shoes! even though the host often offers you a shoehorn on your way out. Some shoehorns are up to 3 feet long, so the guest does not have to bend over to put his shoes on. What a courtesy! Now I know why it was such an insult for George W. Bush to get thrown a shoe at by an Iraqi reporter at a Bagdad news conference several years ago.People enter into a discussion with you, even if you ask them a simple question on the streets. I started a hiking group here, it's called گروه کوه نوردان بام تهران we have five members so far and yesterday we went on our second hike at درکه trails. I am the 'Khosrow' of the group!! As Iranians here are basically not very punctual, they know well if they are not at the trail head at 8:00am sharp, we won't wait ​ --
The trails are full of young people and lots of activities. Rivers and mountains and the blue skies. No need for a Tea Guy either :-) as there are lots of rest-stops and little ​and large ​restaurants along the trails by the river. ٔThere is fresh آب انار، دوغ نعنا، چلوکباب، دیزی and music that echos in the mountains ​--a​ll along the trails into even the remote parts. We almost made it to Palang Chall yesterday which is about a 4 hour hike from Darak-e. I wish we could plan on coming here next year and go on this hike together. ​ ​The apartment here is nice and comfortable and can accommodate anyone who wishes to come.
I will leave Iran tomorrow to Mashhad and then crossing the border onto Turkmenistan and Tajikistan and the rest. Will be back in Iran in about three weeks.
​ I love you all and miss you. Hamid

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Comments

[Wanderer of the earth]

8am Hikes
Music echoing through the mountains while hiking? Sounds great! Enjoy and drink some tea for me! xo nasime