Who says I don't have the balls to put my own pic on here?!
This one is entitled "Boonmee in a salt lake in the Dasht-e-Kavir".
gotta be facing the other way to it to count
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Now, to pry into roots, to finger slime,
To stare, big-eyed Narcissus, into some spring
Is beneath all adult dignity. I rhyme
To see myself, to set the darkness echoing.
Anyway. Esfahan: this was the capital after Qazvin. It's home to the world's largest square (), which is in fact a huge polo pitch. It's got some stunning mosques, and cool bridges. Saw a few tourists out and about here, too.
The Si-o-Seh Pol.
Another bridge.
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Naqsh-e-Jahan Square.
Naqsh-e-Jahan Square.
Inside the Imam (formerly Shah) Mosque, Naqsh-e-Jahan Square.
Inside the Friday Mosque.
Bit of graffiti in Esfahan bazaar. It reads "Improper Hijab (woman's Islamic dress) = Shame".
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Now, to pry into roots, to finger slime,
To stare, big-eyed Narcissus, into some spring
Is beneath all adult dignity. I rhyme
To see myself, to set the darkness echoing.
Right, moving nearer Tehran, now. The Alborz Mountains, just north of the capital.
This was on the way to going skiing in Dizin - the biggest ski resort in Iran. Not particularly big by European standards (pretty small, in fact), but fantastic snow, and a 1 km drop from top to bottom; so a decent run.
A restaurant on the road to Dizin.
This was while we were waiting for the road to be cleared of a little avalanche. You'll notice that the girl in the red jacket isn't wearing her Hijab. Saw quite a few women like that up there; fewer police around, and the police who are there are a bit more easy-going than elsewhere.
Dizin, with Mount Damavand (5 610 m) in the background. All the wealthy Tehranis head up to Dizin for the weekend during the winter. They rent chalets there, and have parties without any hassle from the law. Met a Thai diplomat skiing here, once; and on another occasion, a girl whose father lives on Ekamai. Small world, eh?
We had a bonfire, drink and a dance in the Dasht-e-Kavir; all totally illegal in Iran (women aren't allowed to show their hair in public, let alone dance) but, hey, there are no police (or mullahs) in the desert
In Iran?? I thought Iran was alot more liberal.
Great pics. I'd love to go to Iran sometime. It's on my list.
Women have to wear headscarves at all times (and if the scarf isn't covering enough hair, they can be arrested), and wear long sleeves & shirts/jackets which cover their behinds. They aren't meant to wear makeup, either.
They're not allowed to ride bicycles or motorbikes (although they are allowed to sit on the back of a motorbike if a man is driving).
They should not be out & about with a man unless he is their husband or relative.
Women are not allowed to sing solo in public, or dance.
Shorts are illegal for both men and women, as are T-shirts (but it's a bit more relaxed about T-shirts).
Having said all that, women do have some surprising rights - such as the right to sit as a member parliament.
They're also allowed to drive (don't think they are in Saudi, for example).
Quote:
Originally Posted by natalie8
I'd love to go to Iran sometime. It's on my list.
You should definitely go. It's a fantastic place, even with its silly little laws.
I'd say making homosexuality illegal is a silly little law, wouldn't you, KMS101?
A bad law. You win though, yes. It is the punishments that are horrendous and tragic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boonmee
Jesus! What the fuck would you be getting up to if you went there?!
Taking in the sites like you friend. Travel is an important part of getting to have your own belief system and play down the national propaganda rhetoric.
Lived in Turkey a year and kept my nose clean. It is fortunately a country with relatively sane laws (at least for now and when I was there), and has a secular government.
Too bad those Ottomans ever let the empire fall. That would have seen a much different 20th century. But then again Hitler might have won. So I won't try to outguess history.
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One day I woke up and my rose coloured glasses were opaque.
Last edited by Killing Me Softly 101; 3rd June 2008 at 06:57.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
They're also allowed to drive (don't think they are in Saudi, for example).
An ongoing struggle for women and large families with member that need to be in different places, but you think right. Still illegal.
But they don't seem to have a problem with little 12 year old Hussein driving the fam to the shopping mall. If only he could see over the steering wheel!!
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Last edited by jimbo; 3rd June 2008 at 07:21.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Taking in the sites like you friend. Travel is an important part of getting to have your own belief system and play down the national propaganda rhetoric.
Then relax! You're unlikely to be sentenced to death for taking in the sites...
Time for Tehran, I reckon.
This is Darband, right up in northern Tehran, at the foot of the Alborz mountains. It's a cool place to chill out with a Qalyan, tea and kebabs with buttery rice, whilst sitting on a Persian rug-covered platform. It can be pretty chilly, so they bring you charcoal burners to put in the middle of your group.. It works.
Lots to eat. This is dried fruit and berries.
This cool little brook winds its way down to Tehran. Very tranquil.
), which is in fact a huge polo pitch. It's got some stunning mosques, and cool bridges. Saw a few tourists out and about here, too.
Like the ones of the mosque with the light from the ceiling. Closest I'll ever get. 
If only he could see over the steering wheel!!