Damn, so much story already in one day!
In the upcoming days in Isfahan I met a lot of new people, and even a couple of other tourist. Peter, the awesome dude who was riding his bicycle through the entire middle east. Even through deserts and shit. That dude is a boss! And two Germans named Marc and Max. And of course a lot of more local people.
I met Marc and Max at the rooftop of the hotel/hostel is was staying. And right before that I got bombarded with a shitload of text messages because there has been a terrorist attack in Tehran. But Tehran is six hours from Isfahan, so wasn't worried about that. Drank my saffron tea, and made it through the afternoon heat. Marc and Max are also photographers and we did a photo walk through the city. Super nice guys!
It was nice to eventually meet some other tourist actually, because you don't see that many in Iran. At least not during the time I was there with Ramadan. And in a country where you are completely cutoff from the outside world, and no working credit cards, and other stuff. It was a guess some sort of a safe feeling i guess? Anyways, back to the story!
I made myself a rigorous schedule and wanted to see as much as possible. And i'm sure if will forget to tell about a lot! But i can always tell that later! So after a lot of more walking and photographing I hopped on the overnight bus the Shiraz! And i will never forget the old taxi driver was singing along with a American love song in his best English.
Enter Shiraz...
Shiraz is completely different than Isfahan. Not bad, just different. And the same game plan. Walking like a idiot with my camera. Trying not to melt. And later figuring out why the river over here was dry... It was even hotter! And also, global warming has it's effect here too... It did not rain for four years! I guess that's also the reason my all-stars melted...
One of the coolest things in Shiraz I have experienced when I was walking towards Eram garden. The Eram is a botanical garden that they somehow keep hydrated in the hottest and driest place i have ever been. That fact alone is really impressive.
I was really grumpy because of the heat. And the trip was a hell of a longer walk than I expected and Google maps told me (Silly Google maps...)... So halfway I bumped into two young Iranian girls. They were sixteen years old, and I guess the same as every sixteen year old girls in other places around the world. The were all giddy and nervous the big blonde guy was talking to them.
They guided me towards the garden and even paid for my entrance fee. Hung out all afternoon and they told me about their culture, I told them about mine. And how it is like to live in the Netherlands. Showed some pictures and videos.
It was time for me to head back to the place where I stayed the night. So I tried to say goodbye but they were having none of it. One of the girls dad was a cab driver and she said he wanted to pick me up. And I was like; yeah sure why not. I rather spend my money with someone who was so nice and his daughters gave me a entire tour though the garden than giving my money to a stranger.
So a hour later the dad picked my up. But before I was back in my hotel i got a entire tour though the city and he made sure I ate the local ice-cream. It was a sort of spaghetti ice-cream. Not real spaghetti of course. But it looked like it. And after such a warm long day it was just what I needed!
During the ride they have song some local pop song from the radio. Did some dancing in the car. And I had no idea what I was singing. But at least it sounded fun haha.
They dropped me of and didn't even want to have money. I left some anyway on the dashboard... The family was really sad to see me leave. But they really wanted me to be sure I was safely continuing my journey. So the next night they picked me up. And made sure I was at the correct night bus of to Yazd. Gave them such a big hug for all the good care they have had given me. They were such a nice people and kind souls!
