We Judeo-Christians (laughable, I know…) happily (or stupidly, take your pick!) wallow in our ignorance of the rest of the world and simply refuse to believe there was anything of substance before the arrival of the Europeans.
Our great loss, of course, but, as current events so graphically demonstrate, incredibly dangerous for all of us as we make assumptions about others that completely undermine and underestimate their culture and their sense of self.
Iran is a beautiful country, but only if we want to see…
I have always held a fascination with historic Persia & loved reading this account of your travels in n this country that is currently at the forefront of pretty much all world news at the moment.
What a beautiful, changing kaleidoscope of sensations all gathered together in poetic words and phrases.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us 🧡
I thoroughly enjoyed this piece. I’ve dreamed of visiting my grandfather’s homeland my entire life, and your words offered a beautiful glimpse into the world he came from. I’ve shed many tears wishing I could have gone back with him, so he could show me everything himself but he has a fear of travel and is much older now. Growing up with him and my American grandmother, I was immersed in Persian food and glimpses of the culture, but there’s still a deep longing in me to experience it more fully. Thank you for bringing that connection a little closer today.
Thank you for this fascinating insight into the Iran beyond politics which exists in every country despite the narrow world our media tries to convince us exists fuelling discrimination. I could talk about this all day. It prevents ordinary people being sociable at every basic level to people from other countries they work with and this is getting worse unfortunately.
Thank you for your kind words. That’s a very interesting observation - and, if it’s widely true, such a shame. We always, always have so much to learn.
What a beautiful virtual tour, Christina! I couldn't help but wonder what if anything has changed since your visit.
You asked about a place that surprised me and Pakistan immediately came to mind. I was in Islamabad to deliver training at UNICEF. The surprise of Islamabad was that very little of it reflected the history of the region. I came to understand that city was planned and built in the 1960s to relocate the capital in a safer geographic area. The surprise of the people was how incredibly warm and nice they are! I don't know if I ever experienced that elsewhere - at least, not to that degree.
Thank you so much, Cathy. Well, that’s a really interesting question. Clearly, there have been the protests by all those brave women but sadly they haven’t (yet) changed anything. I suspect that anti-West feeling is more entrenched after Trump’s efforts. One can only hope for better times for this beautiful country and its people.
Fascinating, what you say about Pakistan. I do think there’s a deep hospitality ethos and warmth in much of the Middle East that could teach us a thing or two.
Sounds like a fascinating place to visit. I have always wanted to visit the Middle East. Beruit and Alleppo look amazing and for many who live there life carries on as normal. On my to do list! Thank you for ring your experience to us while MSM brings us the negative news.
Thank you so much, Louise. Yes, I have also wanted to go to Beirut and Aleppo, but I don’t know what shape they’re in after all the bombing/destruction. I loved Syria when I went as much as Iran.
Lovely article thanks. Always heard the same thing about the people, including from a Chinese friend who is quite devout Christian and went there on a tour
We Judeo-Christians (laughable, I know…) happily (or stupidly, take your pick!) wallow in our ignorance of the rest of the world and simply refuse to believe there was anything of substance before the arrival of the Europeans.
Our great loss, of course, but, as current events so graphically demonstrate, incredibly dangerous for all of us as we make assumptions about others that completely undermine and underestimate their culture and their sense of self.
Iran is a beautiful country, but only if we want to see…
Lovely piece, Christina!
Many thanks, Mark. And yes, you are so right.
Lovely description of an ancient culture that has suffered so much in recent years.
Thank you so much, Clarice.
Thank you !
I have always held a fascination with historic Persia & loved reading this account of your travels in n this country that is currently at the forefront of pretty much all world news at the moment.
What a beautiful, changing kaleidoscope of sensations all gathered together in poetic words and phrases.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us 🧡
Well, that is pretty much the perfect response! Thank you so much, Tiffany.
Thank you so much for your kind words. Very much appreciated!
I hope you've sent Trump a copy of this.
Oh yes. He always rushes to read my Substack…
Always longed to visit Isfahan. Lovely post.
Thank you, as always, Amanda!
Lovely post. I have long wanted to go. Such lovely people. How did you get permission to enter?
Thank you, Laura. It was a press trip and we were pretty closely guarded. Wouldn’t happen now, of course…
Really loved this - thank you
Was in Iran in 2029 and miss it dearly. I hope I can return when things change -if only for rose water ice cream!!
I hope you get back there too. And yes, rose-water ice cream is delicious!
I thoroughly enjoyed this piece. I’ve dreamed of visiting my grandfather’s homeland my entire life, and your words offered a beautiful glimpse into the world he came from. I’ve shed many tears wishing I could have gone back with him, so he could show me everything himself but he has a fear of travel and is much older now. Growing up with him and my American grandmother, I was immersed in Persian food and glimpses of the culture, but there’s still a deep longing in me to experience it more fully. Thank you for bringing that connection a little closer today.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the piece, Ally, even if it was bittersweet for you. I hope one day you will get to visit this beautiful country.
Enjoyed this lovely account, thank you Christina. Wonder what it is these clerics just don't get 🤔 x John
Thank you so much, John. And yes, indeed x
My dream has been to visit Shiraz to see the garden of my namesake 🙂
I hope you get there one day. 🤞
Thank you for this fascinating insight into the Iran beyond politics which exists in every country despite the narrow world our media tries to convince us exists fuelling discrimination. I could talk about this all day. It prevents ordinary people being sociable at every basic level to people from other countries they work with and this is getting worse unfortunately.
Thank you for your kind words. That’s a very interesting observation - and, if it’s widely true, such a shame. We always, always have so much to learn.
A shame yes but we can all do our little bit to change perceptions by sharing positive experiences. Thank you
Absolutely.
What a beautiful virtual tour, Christina! I couldn't help but wonder what if anything has changed since your visit.
You asked about a place that surprised me and Pakistan immediately came to mind. I was in Islamabad to deliver training at UNICEF. The surprise of Islamabad was that very little of it reflected the history of the region. I came to understand that city was planned and built in the 1960s to relocate the capital in a safer geographic area. The surprise of the people was how incredibly warm and nice they are! I don't know if I ever experienced that elsewhere - at least, not to that degree.
Thank you so much, Cathy. Well, that’s a really interesting question. Clearly, there have been the protests by all those brave women but sadly they haven’t (yet) changed anything. I suspect that anti-West feeling is more entrenched after Trump’s efforts. One can only hope for better times for this beautiful country and its people.
Fascinating, what you say about Pakistan. I do think there’s a deep hospitality ethos and warmth in much of the Middle East that could teach us a thing or two.
Fabulous description of a country so steeped in history, yet hidden.
Thank you, Christina
Thank you so much, John.
Sounds like a fascinating place to visit. I have always wanted to visit the Middle East. Beruit and Alleppo look amazing and for many who live there life carries on as normal. On my to do list! Thank you for ring your experience to us while MSM brings us the negative news.
Thank you so much, Louise. Yes, I have also wanted to go to Beirut and Aleppo, but I don’t know what shape they’re in after all the bombing/destruction. I loved Syria when I went as much as Iran.
A lovely piece, Christina! And the photos add another beautiful layer. xx
Thank you so much, Rhaine. xx
Lovely article thanks. Always heard the same thing about the people, including from a Chinese friend who is quite devout Christian and went there on a tour
Thank you so much. Interesting that your Chinese friend said the same!