I’d like to say “when I first came to Iran, it felt quite normal”, but to tell the truth, I was scared to death. It didn’t start in the plane, when it landed, and we were told to put on our Islamic scarves. It only started when I heard “visa problem” at passport control and was brought to some corner to wait for all the people to pass, so that the airport people could deal with me. After half an hour of anxious waiting I realized that I’ve never been so lonely and scared in my life. My mobile didn’t work, because I was too nervous to remember the pin code, so I couldn’t even call anyone. From where I was sitting I couldn’t see the people who came to meet the passengers and they couldn’t see me. I tried to calm myself down, thinking that the worst thing that could happen – I’m going right back home in a few hours. Fortunately that wasn’t meant to happen.
Forgot to tell you, one of the reasons I felt so uncomfortable, was that all the security guys were wearing military uniform and had submachine guns! For me it looked like a movie about hostages in an airport! But then I realized they weren’t that scary, it was just a piece of their uniform, so to say. After some time, I went back, to find out what’s wrong with my visa, but the girls couldn’t speak English, so I had to wait more. In the meantime a few of the security started a conversation in English about the weather, my country and so on. And as they were discussing my replies in Farsi, I understood almost everything, so I started feeling more confident, but didn’t show it. Some more time passed and finally, I was brought to an officer who spoke Russian (he even used to study in Ukraine, my home country!) and explained what was wrong with the visa. It turned out that the expiry month was written indistinctly, it was more “1” than “9”. I wished I could have gone back to the Embassy in Kiev to tell everything I felt like telling to the guy responsible for that, but instead I thanked the officer for correcting that “1” into “9” and set off.
You know, it’s characteristic of oriental countries: everything takes a whole lot of time, because nobody is in a hurry. And still, for us, European people, it’s too difficult to comprehend. I mean, you know it, but you don’t believe it, until you get there and see it with your own eyes.
And another thing. I said that the security with tommy guns started talking to me about the weather and my country. It wasn’t until much later that I realized why. All the people are very friendly with strangers. There aren’t many foreigners in the country, so be sure, people will talk to you in the streets, and the youth, who speak English or at least know a few words will say “Hello” and “I love you” for no reason, just out of excitement that they see a foreigner. I can’t say it’s annoying, because it makes you feel like you’re a superstar!
Write to you soon
Posted by shining on 2008-02-08 13:33:29 | Rating: n/a | Views: 75
I dont know if I should be jealous or annoyed. I just happen to have a distinct interest in Iran and world travel. But, I only know a shred of Spanish. Practically useless. What is your fascination with Iran?? Are you familiar with the co-director of a film being shown in the US now called "Persepolis"? She wrote graphic novels about teenager in Iran. If strangers came up to me and said "I love you" for no reason but to practice English, I'd become irate rather quickly. I dont throw such words around lightly. Refreshing to find someone doing what you do...whatever it is that you are doing(and so free to travel? I really am jealous).
I would have been more scared of being killed than being shipped back. If I see guns, I start thinking how am I going to fake kung fu to get out of there:P
Hello:-) Me and Iran - simple. I majored in Farsi, so I studied not only the language but also the culture, history and so on. And I got interested in all that. As for the cartoon - I've seen it, and now I'm an official fan! It's so witty, sharp and true, that I just have no words to explain my feelings about it.
When you're walking alone, people don't say things to you, they just stare a lot. But when they see a group of foreigners they just can't help saying "Hello". And the young can't help showing they know "I love you". Believe me, when a bunch of high school girl stares at you as if you're Bon Jovi and one of them says "I love you", you don't get irate ;-)
Heh. Maybe, but I would soon feel very disturbed/wrong like any "predator" feels here in the States. Ya know, there ARE laws about such things:P And, I happen to know an Iranian girl with a semi-tragic story that could be compared to what I have heard of Persepolis(which if I do not see in the theater, I will get the DVD). I wish it was easier for me to learn a language or for a universal translator gizmo.
