Esfahan

I arrive early in Esfahan, "the jewel of ancient Persia", and spend the whole day exploring the city, walking, walking and walking. It's a very beautiful city, it's just unfortunate that it's freezing cold all day. I am like a magnet of attention here in Iran; whenever I sit down to read, sip some tea or collect my thoughts, it usually only takes a few minutes before I have company. People asking where I'm from, why I don't have a wife, inviting me for tea, etc. One man carefully looks around him, then leans forward and whispers "Yesterday, I drank wine" (alcohol is illegal in Iran). Sometimes, this attention is a bit annoying. But mostly, I'm just amazed by the friendliness of the people here.

After everything I've seen today, I feel that I don't need another day here so I buy a ticket for the night bus to Shiraz. In the evening I call Shirin, a friend of Mohammed (Iraq) who lives in Tehran. She says she's interested in meeting me when I get back to Tehran. I'm surprised by how open, flirtatious even, Iranian girls are. I had not expected that.

Jameh Mosque.

Old man outside the bazar.

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque.

Imam Mosque.

Koran quotes like this are all over Iran.

Si-o-Seh Bridge.

Esfahan, Iran