viernes, 19 de octubre de 2007

Persia

At the end I've arrived to Persia! The real journey started in Erzurum, where I could collect my Iranian Visa, after going 4 times to Consulate, waiting for a long time in Oyak Bank to make payment fee, I got my visa already. Despite of I spent just 2 days in Erzurum, I must to say is the best place in Turkey. City is cool, cheap food, and no traffic jams.
Afterwards I moved to Dogubayazit, in order to go to Iran border, despite it's a small city is full of shops, everything domined by Agri mountain. After arriving to Iranian border I met Ruhi, a guy from Bursa who wanted to visit Iran, thanks to him I could manage all the money changers that were pushing us for changing after border pass. After 3 hours by taxi we arrived to Tabriz, the first important city after border. In this country the things are different, all women are covered with black clothes, young and old. I don't know if they like, if the want, but they're used to... Tabriz has a wonderful bazaar, the best is that it isn't as touristic nor crowded taht Istanbul, moreover is much cheaper! At the begining I felt that people didn't like us, for example, when checking in at hotel, my fare was
higher than the one for my turkish friend, but I think it's because they aren't used to meet tourist, but at the end these people use to be very friendly, like the one I met at Internet cafe, they were so happy to receive a Spaniard visit, taht they didn't want to charge me anything for using computers!
After a long night by bus, and military checkings we arrived to Theran. In this huge city isn't too much to do. Probably the best is the former USA embassy, so it's empty, and the best is sight of "DOWN WITH THE USA", casually I agree with it...
One of the funiest things have been when I was to National museum, I started to talk with a group of tenagers girls, who were visiting with school, they were very interested to talk to me, but suddenly the staff appeared and separed us. I asked if there was any problem, but I received no answer...
Before comining here I wanted to meet some locals, but I haven't been able, but Iran is a big country and I hope to stay, or at least, have a meal with a local family. Maybe in Isfahan it will be possible... Let's see!