در اضطراب چه باید کرد؟

دیروز سراسر در اندوه گذشت
و فردا
در التهابی نامعلوم
و من اما
در مرز میان اندوه و التهاب
با اضطراب چه باید کرد؟
هم خانه ام
Hassan H.

تفاوت

گنجشگکان جالیز
بر رویای سبز فردا می خوابند
و
جغد پیر باغ
کابوسی شبانه را
در طراوت خورشید می پزد
Hassan H.

This is another message from Thomas. He has kindly shared 5 of his pictures with us. Please click on the links below to see them.
Thomas, thank you again.
Best,
Hassan

Thomas says,
“Salam dear Hassan-jun
I just wanted to share 5 of my favourite photos from my trip – my farewell dinner after spending several days with my friends in Behbahan. You see the “simple country meal” (!!!!), even the 92-year old grandmother was there to wish me well, and finally, as I left …. A traditional “good-bye” ceremony that brought me to tears (I’m sure you’ll recognise it).
Take care and best wishes – Thomas”
NOTE: All pictures are copyrighted to Thomas Hodge

1- Sofreh or dinner table in Behbahan city!
2- Thomas and friends at Sofreh!
3- Iranian grandma at the age of 92!
4- Thomas goes under water, green leaves, quran, sugar cube, and money as a farewell ceremony!
5- Farewell ceremony tray/plate!

Dear all,
What you see below is a letter from one of our Easy Persian family members, who just visited Iran and wanted to share his experience with us. Let me thank Thomas for his time and concerns. I deeply hope he will be able to visit Iran again and again with lots of sweet memories!
If you happen to have something to share with others on this Weblog, please send it to me.
Thanks to all,
Hassan H.

The next is what Thomas has written:
Dear, dear Hassan-jun,
Just a short note to say “hello” and to tell you that my recent trip to Iran was totally fantastic and surpassed all expectations. It was, by far, the best of my 3 trips to your country. During the 25 days I was there I did a lot of travelling within the country, including trips alone to Shiraz and Behbahan (people told me I was the first tourist to visit Behbahan!), and not even the slightest negative incident happened : – every plane – bus – train – car – taxi trip was on-time and without mishap – and I discovered that my farsi is better than I thought (thanks to you). I was always able to make people understand me.
For the return trip to Paris, I was authorized to check 20 kg of baggage – but I had 54 kg (all carpets, kilims and textiles) !!!! The gate agent felt sorry for me – and charged me for 24 instead of 34 kg. Since my ticket was a free frequent flyer ticket, I didn’t really mind paying the €200 for the excess baggage. What turned out as a nice surprise was that after paying the money and returning to get my boarding card – I noticed the gate agent had put me in 1st Class! I thanked him profusely, and he told me he felt bad about making me pay for the excess baggage! I love those Iranians! Since the plane left Tehran at 01H35 (way past my bedtime) it was nice to have a bed on the plane.
I must say that with each trip to Iran I become more and more disillusioned and troubled by the way western governments submit us to mass brainwashing by giving us mostly negative images of Iran. We’re never shown that there is very little poverty and no visible misery, as you can easily see on the streets of San Francisco, in the suburbs of Paris or in numerous other western countries ; we’re not told that more than 90% of the Iranian population is educated (even the nomads!) and that essentially all young people can speak some English because it is required in school : we’re not told that the Mullahs, when you say you are American, insist you come to their home for dinner (this happened to me in Khomein); we’re not shown the grace and kindness of the average Iranian on the street when confronted with a lost tourist – they usually take you to your destination, or take your hand to help you cross the street; we’re not shown the chic and fashionable shops of north Tehran with Levi, Armani and Gucci boutiques (to name only a few) ; …. my list goes on and on and on ! The bottom line is that we’re being brainwashed by too many negative images from Iran and that the average Iranian is portrayed as chador-clad or bearded anti-American protestor, when, in fact, the average Iranian doesn’t care at all about politics and is only concerned with getting on with his or her life and having a better personal situation. For me, I’ve discovered that the Iranians still retain the “humanity” that so many of us have lost in the West. I only wish more people from the West would go to Iran to experience this first-hand. If they did, some negative western attitudes might change.
I love Iran and it’s people. With each trip there my emotional attachment with your country grows stronger. I’ll continue to go back every year as long as I’m able – Insha Allah !!!!!
With best wishes
Your friend in Paris
Thomas