İran on my mind...

Yesterday I spent a beautiful Saturday night glued in front of TV... I tried to catch glimpses of streets, I was peacefully walking just 2 months ago.. When I decided to travel to İran, everybody advised me to go before the elections and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the time..How right they were....

People were hopeful about the coming election, hopeful about the days to come. Their hopes, became my hopes, but how could I forget the fact that democracy and religion are tricky businesses in this part of the world. I should have known it better because I also live in this part of the world.

I travel a lot. The negative part about travelling a lot is the fact that I keep forgeting about the places and names after a while, but I always remember the people that I met. Now I worry about the safety of the people that I met in İran. The friends I made, the people I met on the streets who usually offered me tea, the young ones who tried to practice their Turkish that they learned from Tv, the shopkeepers that I bargained and joked, our guides who worked very hard for an unforgettable trip.... What was common in all of them is; they love their country, they know that they deserve better.. I feel sorry for their shattered dreams and mines...and I hope that the worst is over...

Photo: wall paintings and posters from İran

Faces from İran

Taking photographs is a rather recent hobby for me and since I started doing it I love taking the pictures of people. If they are aware that you are taking their picture and have no objection, there comes and instant connection thru the camera and most of the time a shy smile.










I saw many faces thru my lenses during my recent trip to İran. İranian people are very friendly and keen to invite you to a cup of tea and conversation if you can find a common language to speak. Some speaks English and the ones from Tebriz area mostly speak an understandable dialect of Turkish. And in big cities it was common to find people to chat with a very basic Turkish which they learned thru illegal satellite TVs. They sincerely dont understand why the people, especially in the West like to portray them as evil. I dont know about the politicians but the avarage İranian is very friendly and hospitable.. I had no negative experience.





Most of the people I met were willing to pose but with a request. They kindly asked me not to put their picture to internet, and I bow to their wishes although they are among some of the great images. As always, like everywhere in the world, children are the willing and smiley faces in front of the camera.














You could see more of my pictures from İran on http://www.mavilimon.blogspot.com/

Places from İran

I love travelling. For business or pleasure I travelled to more than 40 countries. This April I was in İran, a long time neglected country to visit. I came back with unforgettable memories, beautiful friendships, 2 carpets ( of course), and lots of photograps....
You can see other photograps that I took in İran and other countries on http://www.mavilimon.blogspot.com/ where I am writing about my travels. Unfortunately for non speakers, they are in Turkish..