Today I've had a problem that warns me for future. Don't leave today's deal tomorrow ! Whatever you're supposed to do then do it now ! or procrastination eats your dream piece by piece. It forces me to blog about Gilan in Iran today. If you're ready to read my another journey and then let me bring you into my trip.
I'm taking train to "Astara" (side of Azerbaijan) from Baku. Train situation in Baku is clean, stuffs are available to understand in English - Russian and really useful. It's one of things I can proudly say that it's worth to use.
By train it takes almost 8 hours to Astara. I suddenly refused to get into taxi to border and started walking. I didn't refuse it for only 1 manat but having a new experience. Crossing to border by walking, that sounds great. As you see on photo, I had a chance to have breakfast in front of Caspisan sea and the sun is rising slowly. It's already in my unforgettable memories. I truly loved it.
I see border after minutes by walking.
You see what waits me there, system isn't working. It's time to review what firstly I'll do in Iran's lands. I met an Azeri guy there and he helped me to change dollars to Iranian Rial and buy a simcard. Don't let money scare you but be prepared to get confused because of a lot zeros.
It's good to see you the founder of Republic of Turkey !
There's kind of a strange feelings in my heart right now. It wants me to stay honest for my character and I would like to share it with you. In Turkey but also including so many countries on the earth show Iran like extremely a closed country to anything. People are unreliable and never dare to resist or say anything about regime of Iran or it punishes you strongly. Yeah some of them are right, I saw them but not including PEOPLE !!!
I'm just a Turk and you're American, Russian or whoever is from rest of world. I mean, it's very important where you are from because why ? Every country makes its propaganda and says that, "going to Iran is dangerous and we unfortunately won't help you if you're in trouble there". I less travel (through I'm still a student at university) but meet a lot kind of people as much as I can and see that, we don't know necessary things, we don't learn how to feed our humanity and respect each other.
AT THE END I'LL WRITE ABOUT RED LINES IN IRAN
I'm trying to say this here, if we don't take action in our lives, then we just live with rumors. Well today's lesson is enough and now let us begin.
I arrived to Rasht by taxi in 3 hours from Astara (side of Iran) with taking break and confidently. Price really surprised me. Dollar gained a lot valuable in front of Rial and it makes me feel so happy :)
My dear friend Mohsen picks me up at taxi situation and we're going to village. It's rice field.
I spent whole day on the roads and it automatically made me feel tired. But for sure I always keep some energy for emergency situations and I'm in a cafe with my lovely friends.
What a lucky night ! My friends have a lovely couple friends and they're animal lover. In my opinion it's one of the greatest part of traveling when you meet locals during traveling. It destroys concerns and gives you confident. You're double lucky if they speak the way you understand them.
That's it for today guys, the story is just beginning tomorrow because my host separates one day for me :) I don't want to use all chance I have but I can't say no this time.
Having breakfast with special bread of Gilan during drinking Turkish coffee. I'm top on the moon.
We're on way to "Masuleh". If you like green, it's much there.
It takes time to get there by car but it's absolutely worth to visit there. Oil is even cheaper than clean water.
What welcomes you there ? Well anything you want to see as curious traveler. Drinking Iran tea while talking to your nice friend, tasting traditional cookies, breathing fresh air, taking a walk around and you buy souvenirs...
We're on way to "Ridkhan Castle" A castle stands as proud of Iran history for a long time.
Rain ? please not today, I'll climb to a castle.
Yes, we're in Iran and it's already colourful. As I learned from locals, Gilan has remarkable women and men come to Gilan from other regions to get married. You can count my eyes as witness.
Look at this, kids are around. It's that time I was thinking like it's going to be a piece of cake.
Until I face the reality. Make sure, you've water, towel and your shoes are okay to walk. Land was slippery because of rain.
Let's take a break on the grass.
I hear vaow from you.
We're turning back to gate.
I might forget some names of my relatives but never this day. Tea takes all toxins and you feel rebirth. I'm not overdoing here.
Give yourself a try for "Nebat" with tea. It's special sugar. I don't remember how many times I drank glass of tea.
We're starving and there're places you can eat there but my friend brings me somewhere I can taste the best.
This photo forces me come back to there. You should see how tears are going away from my face and time is too late to cook here in Baku...
I was so thrilled and forgot to write down their names but you can show this photo. Remember that, some of them belong to Gilan.
I want to end up my second day with that photo. Tomorrow I'm going to Rasht.
What ! in 1397 you're living ?
As my host recommends me change money I'm in "Gold Bazaar". It's reliable place to change dollar.
I'm in "Rasht" and for now I'm alone.
I'm going at bus situation to buy ticket to Tabriz.
Rasht is double green than when I used to live city and already live city...
Come'n guys, we can win this battle ! I'm with of who wins.
It's time to drink but lemonade :)
I'm in "Mohtasham Garden" to take some rest and review my notes. Okay let me say family I'm having fun here. By the way somebody wants to meet you, include it also.
Well, I couldn't find our selfie photo but the guy left side of me is Mohammad with glasses and the guy who is taking photo is another guest of him. (look at in the mirror)
What a great feeling is that you're tasting as locals do. We kept talking to in a small tea house.
Things started happening under rain.
No words !
I'm on my way to home again. I caught you rainbow.
I should buy a chair like this. I'm not thinking deeply, having just some rest.
As usual I'm having with a new experience in Iran for new day. I'm having breakfast kebap with beans. Onion says itself, I'm antivirus !
What is going on there ?
Melon taste but sugar is a little more.
We're in "Gilan Rural Heritage Museum".
Every corner of Iran surrounds by rice in my opinion.
I highly recommend you have a friend from Iran. It makes everything easy and fun. I'm really glad to have a friend like you.
Because your company made 1000 times much better than I could do alone.
Something is coming from sky and I'm in mood only listening to you...
He's really easy going man.
No thank you ! I don't dare to walk on the rope.
Absolutely drinking tea as locals.
Of course I don't forget to buy some souvenirs and writing my thoughts down.
If you like to buy a pack of tea, Lahijan is right place.
For sure there're entertaiments you can have fun without problem like I was crashing their cars in luna park.
I ended up blog with nicest photo. Now let me give you a piece of advice about Iran.
What Should You Know Before Coming to Iran
1) There're banks on every corner but your visa and mastercard doesn't work there. Keep cash in safe !
2) VPN solves some problems during you're having problem to connected for social networks and websites.
3) If you encourage yourself travel there as alone female then it's not the worst thing on the earth you'll do. But wearing a fake married ring might help you. By the way you alread gained my praise if you did it alone.
4) I really hate to say that but wear hijab anywhere that makes you feel confident. It's not a good idea colorful clothes, specifically when you're in capital city of Iran and closest regions.
5) Learn your lesson about money. I've tasted stake once and it rarely feels pain.
6) Taxi drivers aren't famous on the earth as a prestige job but before you get into a taxi learn how much it will cost you.
7) Be prepared to pay double, sometimes 3x in museums. My friend mostly bought our tickets and I was just silent during around gate.
8) Don't expect WiFi at restaurants, cafes etc.
9) You're not going there to drink alcohol. It's punishment is extremely high.
10) As I know kissing your friend even from just cheek or holding your girlfriend's hand might make you in trouble at public.
Iran isn't a scary country but you have to be careful 5 times as normal. I just mentioned stuffs as I gained from on the roads. I only want you to travel safely and having incredible times there.
