We went on a trip to the North last week - here, we are near the city of Jolfa on the border with Nakhichevan. I am standing in front of a part of the church of Saint Stephen - directly behind me is a student complex but the church itself is about 900 years old, and some say it was built on the site of a church that once existed from the year 62AD. The guide of the church absolutely disagreed with that interpretation. 

As we drove through the hills near Shiraz, we were constantly threatened by oncoming sheep - every 2 miles there were about 200 sheep waiting to ram the car. 

I decided to go NY style in a traditional Tea House for a few minutes - OK, my clothes aren't really...NY, but, hey! 

This is the group that went on a trip to Shiraz and Persepolis. It was really amazing! 

I am definitely not posting my favorite photos - but here is Persepolis!!! 

The Anglican Church of Shiraz seemed to be abandoned on a Sunday morning! 

The Esfahan Bazar

The Bazaar at night - and where I would find some lovely antique Polish tea glass holders made at the Norblin factory in Warsaw.

Wall Painting on Ali Qapu Palace

This is a portrait of a European Lady on the side of the wall of the Ali Qapu Palace in the Beautiful Imam Square of Esfahan. She's noticeably European for the hat she is holding in her hands.

The Imam Square of Esfahan - Also Known as Naqshe Jahan, Image of the World

Sitting in the Courtyard of Imam Square in Esfahan. It was a VERY bright and sunny day...actually got a sunburn somehow.

Bridge on the River Zayandeh

Now, I have just started the third semester of classes here in Tehran - but for the last three weeks I have been on vacation. This was a break for Noruz, or the Iranian New Year, which falls on the first day of Spring. To take advantage of the few days off from classes, I went to visit Isfahan, where there were many beautiful monuments, palaces, gardens, and bridges. Here I am standing in the underside of a bridge -- just above the water.

For Easter I went to visit the local Catholic Church, right next to the "Embassy" of the Vatican. The service was in Italian, and it was actually a full house - everyone singing and praying in Italian. I could not have imagined so many people in Tehran were Italian....

Although Tehran is an overwhelmingly large metropolis - there really are many beautiful buildings. Unfortunately, many of them are being sacrificed for the greater good of 20 story commercial complexes. Here you can see an old iron grating, behind which is possibly a run down summer house. You can find such remains all over Tehran. I hope to put some of their photos on this blog from time to time. 

Azadi Monument is trying to hide behind a tree - but he's Definitely Too Big! Ha Ha! 

Much of the mountains visible from Tehran are still covered in snow. If they were normally visible, it would definitely make me feel cold. 

The mountains of Tehran were perfectly visible. This is the same square that below you can see covered in snow.  

Because there was little pollution today - few cars - I could travel to the other side of the city and see the Azadi monument. I didn't know that I could go to the top though - too Bad! 

t is now Noruz -- for those of you with Iranian friends, wish them a happy New Year! For Noruz, everyone likes to buy (or trap) goldfish in a bowl until they die...Ok, sorry, they like to keep goldfish. These are two of my fish. Out of 5 original fish, only one is remaining. It will soon die -- it seems that all of the fish brought into Tehran this year were sick. Anyway, for those people traveling to Tehran - Noruz is only exceptional or interesting because the traffic reduces significantly and the city becomes like any other large city - rather than one large parking lot. But don't expect any fireworks (haha) or even any public celebrations - just a few banners and small television programs. The best sign of the New Year is that on all the street corners there are men selling these lovely fish. I Love Fish!
 

We went on a class trip to visit the Parliament. It was an exciting field trip because this building's architecture is just bizarre. Behind the rectangular building in the front is a triangular/pyramid building --- and I never had imagined such strange staircases in a triangle building. I learned later that I could have taken pictures inside the parliament. We heard a small segment of a debate inside about whether they should change the system for holiday housing. I didn't understand a word! 

Bush's Revelation

President Bush announced today that Iran is not Iraq. I feel much better now. :)

Earthquakes and Visits to Small Towns

Hello Everyone,

I am not posting as much writing as before, because I think that pictures speak for themselves most of the time (and of course I am very busy)...although many people have complained that I'm too brief. This last week I had a four day weekend and I took a small trip to the towns (not villages according to the residents) of Kashan and Bidgol. They were quite wonderful, because in comparison to Tehran -- there was fresh air, no traffic and definitely a small-town atmosphere. The religious holidays appeared to encompass the entire country and all the men, at least in Kashan, were involved in the processions. Most were actively participating, but some were just watching. Some people in Tehran claim that most people just watch. For those of you interested, the earthquake was not felt in Tehran, but it just reminds the country again how vulnerable everyone and everything is to earthquakes. I feel that many people in Tehran are worried about the earthquake that Tehran is expecting...especially the foreigners who are just here visiting. They always ask me if I am worried like they are. I guess I am! So, the pictures below are from Kashan and Bidgol, and the first two are at the Shah's Palace. Please feel free to let me know what kinds of pictures you'd like to see.