The start of my Iran Adventure

Trip Start May 31, 2007
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Trip End May 20, 2008


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Where I stayed
(Tehran hotels)

Flag of Iran  ,
Friday, June 8, 2007

I arrived in Iran on the 8th and was met with smiling faces by many in the airport including Bernard's friend, Bahman, who drove me to the Atlas Hotel.  The city was very clean but the traffic was busy.  Like other countries I have visited, lanes on the road are 'suggestions' rather than rules.  The evening that I arrived, one of the ladies in the airport reviewed my passport and looked up at me a few times.  She smiled and said USA?  I nodded and she said welcome to our country.  It was a sweet moment feeling her appreciation for my visit.

I am traveling in a group of 7 plus our guide, Reza.  I am the only American as it seems the other American didn't get visa approval in time. A big thanks to my travel agent, Bernard, for pushing to get my visa approved though his local contacts.  I am traveling with others from Australia and New Zealand. We are meshing quite well as a group quite quickly.  I am rooming now with Meg, who is in her 70's and from New Zealand.  The group met today at noon and had an orientation meeting and then spent the afternoon seeing sights walking around the city.  We passed the former US Embassy.  It is quite large with many painted murals on the exterior some not so friendly to the US left over from the occupation time.  I was told by my guide that they are slowly being painted over to different scenes.  We then went to visit Golestan Palace, the bazaar and ended up in a teahouse at a place for artists.  We sat on the veranda under the fans, enjoying our various drinks, eating snack and getting to know each other better.
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