Mike's Iranian Blog (8 of 8) - Conclusion
Iran is a land of contradictions and dichotomies. Old and young, traditional and modern, religious and secular, all coexisting like the contrasting colors and intricate patterns of a Persian carpet. Westerners find many differences with their own culture when they visit Iran, but also many surprising similarities, especially in the study of sciences like astronomy. Just as borders are indistinguishable by astronauts orbiting our planet, cultural differences become unimportant when we turn our gaze skyward. The concept of time in Iran is one of the differences that is hard to grasp at first. Driving the highways of Iran, one often...
Mike's Iranian Blog (2 of 8) - Nojum and Zafarinye
The transition from west to east is easier the second time. I'm not referring to the 11 ½ hour time difference or the 20 hours of travel but rather the change in culture. It all seems a bit less strange and unfamiliar this time. The Iran Air stewardesses moving about the cabin in hejab – the style of women's clothing in Iran that leaves only the face and hands uncovered – seems natural now. The Persian airline food of saffron chicken and basmati rice is familiar and welcome. And I'm not a bit surprised to find that the Iranian sitting...
Mike's Iranian Blog (1 of 8) - Introduction
The Sun sets over distant hills and the sky takes on sunset hues as the telescopes are brought out to meet the night. Talk of the night ahead breaks the silence at this remote location in the desert, a refuge from the lights of the cities . Amateurs have done the same for many years. But this place is different. Desert caravans have passed this site on the Silk Road under a canopy of stars for centuries. This building has been a way station for those travelers for 1000 years. Now the roof of this ancient...
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