As travellers, rather than tourists, perhaps, we pride ourselves on scratching beneath the surface and tickling the underbelly of the places we visit. There’s no question that my last two weeks exploring this magnificent country have led me to doing precisely that.
Iran is a country full of surprises, wonders and contradictions. The people are proud and passionate. It’s complex – I mean really complex – and it is beautiful. I honestly can’t think of anywhere else I’ve been that can hold a candle to it.
I’ve had to move fast – it’s the nature of this trip, for better and worse – but I’ve seen and learned a lot in that short time. I’ve been blessed to be in the company of a truly exceptional guide, Mehrdad. He has literally opened this country up and spoon fed me its wonders, from the best local dishes to the finest mosques and antiquities; from lesser trodden mountain trails to meeting old friends in the desert. He’s listened patiently to my endless questions and expanded on the answers until, at times, my head could take no more! I’ve certainly never travelled with anyone better at this challenging job.
I’ve sat down to scribble this piece just ahead of crossing into Pakistan and, with that final train journey in Iran looming, I’ve been thinking about how best to summarise my experiences here. I’m still processing it all, and my mind is a complete jumble, but I had to try and write something, anything, to document my feelings and thoughts whilst still here.
I could honestly write about it all for days, trying to unravel (for you, and for myself) the layers of this remarkable land and culture. But that’s for another day – I don’t want to spend my last hours here typing away at a keyboard when I could be out amongst the people of Kerman, wandering in the bazaar and tasting the food.
I’m certainly leaving Iran enriched and, I would say, quite changed. I feel a little like these past two weeks have just been the beginning for me; I’ve started a new chapter. This section of the trip has challenged me like no other, and I’ve come to enjoy and appreciate that. I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’ve faced up to some fears, come to better identify my preconceptions and listened to alternative narratives with more of an open mind.
I’m getting better – I think – at not sweating the things that are out of my control, and I’ve undoubtedly gained vastly greater faith in the good of everyday people. I’ve also rekindled my passion for boundary pushing travel – I’d clearly become a little too comfy through many years of fine hotel inspections!
Without sounding too grandiose, and certainly with no intention of encouraging anyone to put themselves in situations, or take themselves to places they don’t feel comfortable with, my point is this: as travellers, and global citizens, we need to look beyond the newspaper headlines and better research much of what our governments and institutions tell us.
We need to cut through the noise of social media and other intrusive tech, to put the regular guidebooks to one side and stop (oh please stop !) relying on auto-generated ‘Best kept secrets of X place’ clickbait. Guess what happens when thousands of travellers follow these?…
We need to think laterally and discover the answers for ourselves. For some, that may mean going a little beyond our comfort zones and taking a chance. For others it may be far simpler than that.
As tour operators and travel providers, we need to deliver on this. We mustn’t allow ourselves to become complacent and limited. We must keep asking ourselves ‘Where next?’.
There are many, many captivating, unsung landscapes to be seen out there. From my train window I’ve seen utterly mesmerising scenery and passed towns that barely feature on a map. There are new foods, new stories and new experiences to be had. New connections to be made.
Travel with an open mind, arms and heart, and you may well come to find, (as I have) that it’s the people in a place that really matter, and they are every bit like you and me. Smile wide and put the palm of your hand to your heart….salam.
Day: 31 / Distance: 8883km
I put the computer on every day in the hope you will have written another update. It has been amazing to follow this and I can’t tell you how much I am enjoying and learning from it.
That’s so lovely to read Bridget, thank you.🙏 It has been an absolute pleasure sharing this experience. I’m just setting to work on a piece about the unexpected 5 days I just spent at the Taftan border, that should be ‘entertaining’ I hope – it’ll act as a therapy of sorts for me also!
Hi Nick, still so enjoying reading about your journey.
Making me want to put my backpack on and go exploring again…..although not as brave as you yet!
Hi Gill, so pleased you’re enjoying it. I can only say one thing to that – DO IT! 😊