Iran is a delight! The goverment may be led by mullahs who reflect the voice of Saudi Arabia, but the people are gracious and friendly, the poets are remarkable. It’s sad about the brain drain. Two of our guides have applications submitted for emigrating to Australia as translators.
Lunch in Shiraz. Our guide told us that women didn’t have to wear black. She suggested that it was fashion.
A bass relief at the tombs of the Persian kings below.
The tombs of Artaxerxes (L), Xerxes and Darius – big names in Persian Empire history. Darius commissioned Persepolis (a name given to it by the exploring Greeks many years later). Xerxes defeated Athens (490BC) and sacked the place. Was this the reason that Alexander the Great sacked Persepolis 150 years later? Sad for us in both instances. Artaxerxes defeated Valerian, the Roman Emperor and destroyed his army.
Persepolis was all it might have been! A place of splendour, power and enormous wealth. More images to come.
Sally and Chee Wan at the Gates to Persepolis, complete with graffiti from explorers hundreds of years ago.
A wonderful lock at one of the wonderful bazaars.
2 responses so far ↓
1
Eskandar
// Apr 13, 2009 at 7:16 pm
I’m glad you enjoyed your trip to Iran! However, please don’t say “The goverment may be led by mullahs who reflect the voice of Saudi Arabia…” The Iranian government, which is a republic coupled with Shi’ite religious law, is very different from the Saudi government, which is an absolute monarchy coupled with Sunni religious law. The Iranian mullahs most certainly do not reflect the voice of Saudi Arabia, and unlike Saudis, Iranians have a president and parliament, can vote, women can run for office, and so on. Both governments might be religious and unpopular, but please don’t compare them just because of that! The United States of America and Cuba are both officially secular countries, but you wouldn’t say “the U.S. government may be led by politicians who reflect the voice of Cuba” just because of that!
2
Leigh
// Apr 19, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Dear Eskandar
thanks for your note. You’re right of course. The comment was a paraphrase from one of Iranian drivers when we were travelling in Iran. He was such a gracious man and we just loved him for his friendship and assistance. He was frustrated at many things in Iran but loved his country enormously, including the historical influence of Saudi Arabia.
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