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  7. The Forgotten Beauty

The Forgotten Beauty

by Jason Greenwood (Canada)

Iran

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“Isn’t it dangerous?” a friend asks, “aren’t they at war?” another chimes in, as I lay out a rough sketch of my month adventure to Iran - perhaps the most misunderstood country in the world. Beyond stunning mosques, arid deserts and delicious kabobs, I hoped to discover Persia’s forgotten beauty.
“Isn’t it dangerous?” a friend asks, “aren’t they at war?” another chimes in, as I lay out a rough sketch of my month adventure to Iran - perhaps the most misunderstood country in the world. Beyond stunning mosques, arid deserts and delicious kabobs, I hoped to discover Persia’s forgotten beauty.
The Arts are the lifeblood of Persian culture, from the 14th Century poet Hafez of Shiraz to present-day tea houses playing traditional Azeri music in Tabriz. Welcomed with a shisha and sweetened tea, I had the honour of listening to an Azerbaijani ashug playing the saz and telling stories of old.
The Arts are the lifeblood of Persian culture, from the 14th Century poet Hafez of Shiraz to present-day tea houses playing traditional Azeri music in Tabriz. Welcomed with a shisha and sweetened tea, I had the honour of listening to an Azerbaijani ashug playing the saz and telling stories of old.
Tranquil, symmetrical and captivating - I often found myself in deep contemplation, just like this young boy in Jameh Mosque of Isfahan. Iran is architecturally unparalleled and nowhere is this more apparent than by stepping foot into notable mosques such as Shah Cheragh or Nasir al-Mulk in Shiraz.
Tranquil, symmetrical and captivating - I often found myself in deep contemplation, just like this young boy in Jameh Mosque of Isfahan. Iran is architecturally unparalleled and nowhere is this more apparent than by stepping foot into notable mosques such as Shah Cheragh or Nasir al-Mulk in Shiraz.
To travel to a destination where handicrafts are made by local artisan and not a machine is a rare privilege these days. Mosaic Backgammon boards of wood and camel bone, brass tableware, silk Termeh or the finest Persian rugs – if you can dream it, you can probably find it in the markets of Isfahan.
To travel to a destination where handicrafts are made by local artisan and not a machine is a rare privilege these days. Mosaic Backgammon boards of wood and camel bone, brass tableware, silk Termeh or the finest Persian rugs – if you can dream it, you can probably find it in the markets of Isfahan.
If there was lingering doubt, the Dorud to Andismeshk train journey dispels any final stereotypes one could have of Iran. Over 5 hours and with surreal mountain landscapes around every bend, the locals onboard kept me entertained, humbled, engaged and, as always, well fed – the Iranian Hospitality
If there was lingering doubt, the Dorud to Andismeshk train journey dispels any final stereotypes one could have of Iran. Over 5 hours and with surreal mountain landscapes around every bend, the locals onboard kept me entertained, humbled, engaged and, as always, well fed – the Iranian Hospitality

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