5/7/2014 1 Comment Misconceptions about Iran.Misconceptions about Iran.
Before I came to Iran I had, like many (most westerners) many uneducated perceptions about what Iran was like, and now I feel very embarrassed that I was actually so ignorant. most of what I thought I knew was based on the few media reports that I have read. So if you are very knowledgeable about this region please forgive me. Iran and Iraq are very different they don't even share the same language. Iranians speak Farsi and Iraqis speak Arabic. Iran is not a dangerous place to be or travel. There is very little crime, no alcohol related violence, crime or drink driving, or drug related crime and they are not allowed guns!! Compare that to America. !!!!! Most Iranians are not extreme Muslims. Just like in our world we are mostly christened then never go to church it's the same with them. Iranians are allowed to leave Iran. They are just limited to visa restrictions from where they want to go, and if they have the military service certificate. They are not cut off from the rest of the world media wise. They mostly have satellite tv ( even though they are not supposed to ) they can access face book and other social media sites with VPNS. They watch all new movies on DVDs (pirated of course as copy write restrictions can't be applied here) Normal Iranians don't want to build a nuclear bomb. The nuclear facility at Natanz is just on the free way and easily seen but heavily guarded. There doesn't seem to be much police or military presence in every day life. They like tourists and travellers. Not once have we had negative vibes. People call out "welcome to Iran" from cArs and in the street. People are so friendly and pick you up in cars, take you home, show you around, invite you for dinner and stays in their homes all the time. They are really welcoming. Roads are fantastic. The transport system is great. Modem long distance buses. Punctual departures. Speed limitations. Food very good. Especially the home cooking. The ice-cream Is wonderful. No one wears the Muslim caps. You rarely hear the call to prayers from the mosques. Even in the most religious towns we were treated well at the mosques, almost with bemusement and once I got used to the stares (of curiosity) I forgot about the scarfs and chadors. A lot of Iranians speak english, and a lot study overseas. Most Iranians have a university degree, hence most are over qualified for their jobs. People (men and women) retire after 30 years of working and have a pension. International sanctions are really hurting the country. Foreign companies are not allowed to trade or partner here. This means no money coming into the country. Hence no real development in technology and very frustrating for the younger people. And countries that do trade ie china or Turkey use it for their own advantage. Restricted goods are still available iPhones. Samsung tv's you can probably get everything here but brought in via china and turkey and no warranties. Some of the towns and cities could be anywhere in our world, you would never be able to pick where you were if you were suddenly transported here. We haven't seem any camels. Oil and petrol very cheap. 8c a litre for diesel. 30c litre for petrol. Very cheap to travel and stay here, especially with changing US dollars on black market we get nearly 30% more. We can't use credit cards or ATMS here only cash so we have had to carry what we need from home.
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4/7/2014 07:32:05 pm
Hi both, just thought a few more lines to you wouldn't go amiss. Just finished packing for Devon in the morning. Weather is up and down lovely today but now raining so I guess my mac must be put in the car. Well Iran sounds so much better than we thought and it must ne good to be made so welcome and your Mother had so many negative thoughts good for me to be wrong . If you are made welcome it means such a lot not only for you and Svend but us too. Brilliant photos, you are looking so well, all this travelling must be so good. My wrist is getting better with the help of Co-Cocodamol ha.Throbs through the night but just wear a doubled over slip on bandage for support now Stupid mother eh! Dad is ok after having the injection in his eye bathed and drops in 4 times a day. He can drive again. Alex popped in at lunch time for his hot pork sandwich from the bakery, We had one too of course. He goes to Greece next Frid for 1 week. janin.es house will be so quiet as Robyn is in Croatia still. Well thats it for now Love to you both, hope it won't be too long before you are in England Lots of Love mom & Dad XX
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