travel

If I were to base my travel decisions solely on the opinions of the people around me, I probably would not have gone to Iran. To say this country has a bad reputation is a gross understatement – it probably ranks near the bottom among countries in terms of public perception. Of course, it does not help that its government once voiced its wish to have “Israel wiped off the map” but then again, as in most countries, the overwhelming majority of the citizenry does not share the same sentiments as with its leaders. A country like Iran deserves more than just a second look. What if instead of Iran, we call it by its former name, Persia? Would thoughts of nuclear programmes and hard-line Islam suddenly switch to dreams of an ancient civilization, ornate palaces and a forward-looking populace? Indeed, this country’s current standing is perhaps a juxtaposition of these two worlds. To dismiss Iran merely due to the negative perception would mean foregoing the opportunity to (1) meet the friendliest and warmest people on earth, (2) see some amazing ancient ruins and stunning architectural works, (3) try some great and varied activities such as skiing, cycling, etc at a fraction of the cost and (4) perhaps have one of the most fulfilling travel experiences ever.

if you though iran was a big bomb site, you're wrong... that's iraq

During the days leading to my departure, almost everyone who learned about my trip thought that I was mad or some kind of a weirdo. I had only told a handful of people about my trip but this seemed to have spread all over, as I suppose there is a tendency for people to spread around rumors that someone had gone cuckoo. My friends, family and colleagues were genuinely concerned for my safety. “Please come back in one piece” was something I heard often, as if I was going to a war zone. The only people who didn’t think so were the ones who had been to Iran previously, and they were the ones who steadfastly vouched for the safety over there. These people had fondly shared with me memories of their trip to Iran and their wish to go back sometime in the future. Many of those who have been there actually rank Iran as one of their favorite countries, travel-wise.

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