Iran...the Land of Contradictions

Having travelled over 3000 miles in Iran over the past month, we both feel that we have had an opportunity to get to know the people, the culture and the language of this unique spot but only to a small degree.

What we noticed most above all was the kind, genuine hospitality of the Iranian or Persian peoples. This encompasses a wide group including Minabi, Baluchi and Galostani, but the general feeling was one of overwhelming generosity and a real sense of koy seeing and meeting strangers. Each town and village was a little microcosm of life form the Zorastrian city of Yazd to the border towns of Khorastan.

The contradiction lies in the fact that such a wealthy country educates its labour force to such a high degree, yet provides no sustainable employment for so many and there only real option is to leave.

The earth beneath their feet is plundered but very little true wealth is absorbed above the ground.Every day we are reminded of who really rules the roost. Army checkpoints prevail the further south and east one goes. The fabric that holds this society together are its people,woven with many strands and above all, a charisma this traveller has had the pleasure in finding out.