Couch Surfing in Iran

We are couch surfing in Isfahan.  We found Muhammad on couchsurfing.com and he is a regular host of couch surfers. Muhammad is a 36 year old engineer who is willing to go the extra mile to make all his guests feel at home.  He has some very interesting views on the political situation but I will not publish these as the internet is monitored here.  Currently there are 4 of us staying at his house.  Hori: a Japanese exchange student learning the Persian language and Leo a 35 year old German. 

We woke early in the morning and were treated to a standard Iranian breakfast.

Muhammad and Dodd on bus

We visited Inman Square, the second largest square in the world.  It is about 200m by 600 and simply b-e-a-utiful.

At one end of the square is Shah Mosque - the biggest Mosque in Iran. The interesting thing about Mosques is that they face towards Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Shah mosque is orientated at exactly 36 degrees to the square so that people can pray in the correct direction.

 

We spent the remainder of the day wandering through Bazaar’s and had a snooze for about 2 hours under some trees in a park. Isfahan is cooler than Yazd with a high of only 38C.  When 38C feels cool it is clear you are a long way from New Zealand.

Tonight Yuki, the exchange student, invited 2 friends over to dinner.  Once again the most friendly and interested people I have met.  At one point Hamad said to me, " I admire you for traveling around the world and wish I could do the same."  I quickly pointed out that it is by luck of birth that I have all the opportunities before me.  His comment has stuck with me. As John Rawls says  "no one knows his place in society, his class position or social status; nor does he know his fortune in the distribution of natural assets and abilities, his intelligence and strength,  ones morality should thus be based on the interests of all people."

 The dinner table from left to right:

Muhhamad, Hamed, Jaril, Yuki, Leo and Dodd

Tomorrow I have decided to do the full Ramadan fast which involves no eating or drinking from 4am until 830pm in the 38C+. The only way to experience a culture completely is by doing as they do.  I am writing this on my blog so that I have to do it.  Failure will be a very public failure. Tomorrow’s blog will be all about everyday life in Iran: the people, the dress code, the social nuances and the faces behind a non-existence democracy.