Stranger in Tehran

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  • Learn Persian Online
    Learn Persian Online
  • Worst Books and Movies About Iran
    Worst Books and Movies About Iran
  • Yazd_Towers of Silence
    Iran Travel Guide

    Travelling Iran: What to See in Yazd

    August 7, 2018 /

    Yazd had been my favorite destination in Iran (until I discovered Qeshm island), and I always recommend it to everyone who travels to Iran. Located on the edge of a desert, it impresses travelers with its unique mud-brick architecture, very different from Isfahan, Shiraz or Tehran. I have been to Yazd two times and would love to visit it again because every time I discover more and more (and of course, I don`t mind adding a couple of bowls or other Yazd ceramics to my collection). However, traveling to the city of wind-catchers is not only about visiting Yazd itself – there are plenty of religious, historical and natural sights scattered all…

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    Katya 2 Comments

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    Qazvin Guide-1

    Travel Guide to Qazvin: City of Ornaments

    November 27, 2016
    10 Instagram Accounts About Iran to Follow in 2020

    10 Instagram Accounts to Follow Before Travelling to Iran in 2020

    March 6, 2018
    It`s a pleasure to have a picnic by the river.

    One Day Trip From Tehran: Shahrestanak

    November 25, 2014
  • 10 Instagram Accounts About Iran to Follow in 2020
    Iran Travel Guide,  Like a Local

    10 Instagram Accounts to Follow Before Travelling to Iran in 2020

    March 6, 2018 /

    Nowadays the Internet is overloaded with information about different countries and travelling tips, and social networks are making planning a trip even easier. Many Iranian Instagram accounts I follow give me inspiration to continue exploring Iran, its deserts, villages and islands, as well as rediscover major cities on the tourist trail. If you are planning to visit Iran, these Instagram accounts will be a great help to you to plan your route, whether you prefer a safe plan or are looking for an adventure. And if you are just curious about Iran, they will definitely inspire you on packing your bag and travelling to Iran as soon as possible because…

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    Katya 2 Comments

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    It`s a pleasure to have a picnic by the river.

    One Day Trip From Tehran: Shahrestanak

    November 25, 2014
  • Qazvin Guide-1
    Iran Travel Guide

    Travel Guide to Qazvin: City of Ornaments

    November 27, 2016 /

    Qazvin is a city of ornaments and gorgeous tiles, “a city in the middle of a garden” (that`s how Nasseredin Shah depicted it to his European counterparts). Finally, Qazvin is the gate to amazing Alamut valley with its impressive castle. Although, it shouldn`t be missed by those who`re heading there.  I`ve prepared a travel guide for you where I`ll tell you about the atmosphere in the city, its people, main tourist attractions, share some useful tips and my own experience of traveling to Qazvin. Hope you enjoy! Qazvin was once a capital of Iran (only for 57 years though!) and, maybe, it owes its beauty to that time. Every sight you visit…

    read more
    Katya 2 Comments

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    It`s a pleasure to have a picnic by the river.

    One Day Trip From Tehran: Shahrestanak

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    northern iran_sari

    The Most Scenic Train Ride in Iran

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    Yazd_Towers of Silence

    Travelling Iran: What to See in Yazd

    August 7, 2018

About Me

That`s me!

I`m Katya, living in Tehran with my Iranian husband for over 5 years. I am here to share my insights on life in Iran as well as tips and tricks for travelling Iran!

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PODCASTS ABOUT IRAN I've been listening to podcas PODCASTS ABOUT IRAN I've been listening to podcasts a lot lately (especially doing housework or cooking), and I found a few podcasts about Iran that could be interesting for you too. @ajammediacollective I found this brilliant collection of articles on Iran, Central & South Asia through one of its editors @alex_shams (who I strongly recommend you to follow too). This podcast will allow you to expand your knowledge on the whole region and find parallels and similarities in very unexpected places. Talk Iran (unfortunately, I haven't found it on any social networks) is hosted by an Iranian-American who invites experts and scholars whose research is focused on Iran (most of them happen to be Iranian). They discuss mostly politics but many of his guests are renowned people whose interview you wouldn't want to miss, for example, Ervand Abrahamian (author of Iran Between Two Revolutions) or Anousheh Ansari (the first female space traveller). @askaniranian is a podcast aimed at a more wide audience and would be perfect for anyone even the slightest interest in Iran, life in Iran and the Persian language. It is hosted by half-Iranian David and Mohammad who are both based in Iran and together they answer your questions about Iran. Are you wondering why Iranian bread is flat or where to go on a first date, you'll find the answers in this podcast. They also have an episode about 'Khaste nabashid' phrase from my latest Persian Saturdays, listen to the episode "Why do Iranians think I am tired all the time?" for that. I must say there are much more of them but these seem to be the most informative and useful to me. Do you listen to podcasts? What are your favorites? #wandertheworld #welivetoexplore #roadtrips #ontheroad #neverstopexploring #toadtrippers #seeyouiniran #middleeast #iran #letsfeeliran #learningpersian #learningfarsi #traveltoiran #iranogram #iran_travel #iran_tourism #thetraveltag #podcastsuggestions #podcasts
Are you learning Persian and can't wait to start p Are you learning Persian and can't wait to start putting it into practice? Put all your books and notes aside and start speaking! On September 5, I'm launching the very first and only online PERSIAN SPEAKING CLUB! WHAT TO EXPECT? ✔ Talking to a native speaker ✔ Connecting to Persian learners around the world ✔ In-depth discussion of the topic ✔ List of useful words on the topic ✔ Games and much more! WHEN? Every Saturday, 6.30 pm (Tehran) (5 pm Moscow / 4 pm CET / 10 am EST) WHERE? Zoom PRICE - $10 / 1.5h Number of attendees is limited, so hurry up and BOOK NOW! HOW TO BOOK? Just send me a Direct message! Every week I'll announce the closest meeting in STORIES (including the topic & level). PERSIAN LEVEL REQUIREMENTS There will be 2 separate events (each is held every other Saturday): 1. ELEMENTARY-INTERMEDIATE LEVEL: all necessary words on the topic will be provided beforehand but you need to be know basic grammar and be able to express your opinion, at least in simple words. 2. INTERMEDIATE-UPPER-INTERMEDIATE LEVEL: in-depth discussions of Iranian culture. Although the topic if both meetings is the same, we will discuss different aspects, so you can join both of them. #learnpersian #learnfarsi #speakingclub #persianlanguage #learningfarsi #learningpersian
Tourists have many misconceptions about Iran. And Tourists have many misconceptions about Iran. And I had some too. Although I spent years studying Iran, I still was full of stereotypes. . One of the most common mistakes foreigners make is they believe that it's hot in the desert. Not many know, though, that it's hot only during the day, but at night it becomes extremely cold. . And here is the story of how I naively believed that it's always warm in Southern Iran. . Years ago, we went to Khuzestan province which has abundance of ancient historical sights like Chogha Zanbil ziggurat that dates back to 3700 years ago, or Shushtar hydraulic system that can be traced back to 2500 years ago, and much more. . To be clear, it's near the Persian Gulf and according to the weather forecast I had checked before the trip, it must have been as warm as +15 C. The forecast had told there was a chance of rain, but what kind of rain can you expect in the Persian Gulf, right? . Although we had an umbrella with us, I must say, it didn't save us from getting completely soaked up. Honestly, I have never seen a heavier rain anywhere else in Iran. Moreover, it went on for two days straight! . Did you have any misconceptions about Iran too? . #irandesert #desertvibes #khuzestan
A couple of years ago, I came across these comic s A couple of years ago, I came across these comic strip books at a bookstore. You can't imagine how surprised I was when I saw them, because the only comic strip series I had ever seen in Iran was Tintin books. . Iranians haven't read Superman, Spider-Man or Batman books. Instead, they have 'Bu Ali, fast and deadly'😁. . According to some Iranian news websites, the first Iranian comic strip series was published 10 years ago, and told stories about Achaemenid period (4-6 centuries BC) and used a lot of truly Iranian elements like iconic historical places, food and Iranian traditions. . Although some other sources say (and this version's more believable) that the first one was 'The Story of Ashura' covering the death of Imam Hossein commemorated during the month of moharram. . Are you a comic books lover? Would you read an Iranian comic book? . You might also want to check out the account of the illistrator of this comic book - @fbazazzadegan . #comicbook #comicbookcovers #iranianliterature
The weather is so hot right now in Tehran that ins The weather is so hot right now in Tehran that instead of hiking to a waterfall, we decided to go to a comfy place. Luckily, Iranians appreciate being comfortable so much that it's a piece of cake to find a place like this! . What's more, they even named a village right outside Tehran 'a compfy place' - Rahatabad (راحت meaning 'comfortable' & آباد meaning 'a cultivated place' that is anything from a tiny village to a city)! . To my surprise, it turned out to have amazing views on the neighboring villages, gardens in the village and the mountains all around! Check out the full view in Stories! . Is there a village/town with a funny place in your country? . #mountainvillage #iranianvillage #persianlanguage
As you saw yourself a few days ago, Iran has many As you saw yourself a few days ago, Iran has many beautiful actresses. Although in the past few years they have faced strong competition - young foreign actresses are slowly taking their place in Iranian movies. . Recently, a new trend has become popular and extremely profitable for box office - filmmakers shoot their films abroad where they easily can shoot female actresses without hijab (it applies only to foreign women because Iranian actresses must still keep their hijab while abroad because of being Muslim, I suppose). . Swipe left to see a few posters of Iranian movies shot in Germany, Thailand, Brazil, and India. . This trend seems extremely unfair to me. You see, Iranian actors take off to the best resorts and have a pretty young foreign woman as a partner on the set. And what about Iranian actresses? Not only do they have to cover themselves no matter what, but also they are deprived of an opportunity to work with foreign actors. . This patriarchal culture is so deeply rooted that it comes out in very unexpected situations! . #iraniancinema
When I was learning Persian, I was watching Irania When I was learning Persian, I was watching Iranian movies a lot (they actually helped me enormously to achieve the accent I have now). At the time, there were a few popular actors but Shahab Hosseini (photo 2) was my favorite. . He was that melancholic hero that made sacrifices for his family or his beloved. I remember one movie (Tanhaee) where he went to prison instead of his father and no one knew about his sacrifice, even his family who was condemning him for what he had done. Also, I remember him reciting poetry throughout the movie that just melted my heart. . The time passed though, he played a range of very different parts in different movies (including A Separation and The Salesman by Asghar Farhadi) and even received the Cannes Best Actor Award for his part in The Salesman. And although I watch every film with him that comes out, times have changed and I found a new favorite😁 . Pezhman Bazeghi (photo 3) too has played a wide range of roles - from romantic musicians to badass guys - he can handle anything! And just look how hot he is (he comes from North Iran and my sixth sense tells me he has some Russian genes - that must explain the color of his hair and eyes)! But don't get me wrong - it's not his only merit. He is amazing with kids (he hosts The Kid Show), excellent at cooking - is there anything more charming than this??? . Now tell me who your favorite among recent actors is? Bradley Cooper? Di Caprio? Or maybe someone from your country's cinema? . . . #iranianactors #iraniancinema
I've been dreaming to travel to Sistan and Baluche I've been dreaming to travel to Sistan and Baluchestan (a province in southern Iran) for a few years now, but as soon as the story with coronavirus is not over yet, tavelling is put on hold. What's left to us is to experience new cultures through food, cinema, music, etc. . Today I want to tell you about a traditional baluchi* musical instrument - donali. It's basically two neys (ney is a kind of flute played in the Middle East) played together, a feminine (that produces the melody) and a masculine one (that accompanies the feminine one). . In whole Iran, there are just a few people who can play this instrument and the most famous of them is Shir Mohammad Espandar. He became famous after participating in Shiraz Arts Festival (that used to be held annually between 1967 and 1977) that used to gather artists from all over the world. . The bad news is that Shir Mohammad Espandar doesn't have any students, so the chances to lose the art of playing donali in Itan is very high. . *Baloochistan is a huge area shared between 3 countries - Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan and formed by baluch ethnic group. The donali originates from Pakistan which has the biggest population of baluchis, so it might sound to you more Pakistani than Iranian. Although that's exactly the feeling you might get while travelling to Sistan & Baluchestan province. . #balochistan #baloch
In Iran many things are seasonal, including rivers In Iran many things are seasonal, including rivers, lakes and waterfalls. . On one of my first visits to Iran, we passed over a dried river in Shiraz and I remember myself wondering why they built several bridges over the river that doesn't exist anymore. . Years later, we went to a salt lake near Qom and found only dried soil. And only then I started to realize that lakes and rivers can be seasonal too. . Having grown up in the country with the longest rivers in Europe, I couldn't even imagine that there are rivers that have water only when it rains or snows. . Recently, we've visited a couple of waterfalls outside Tehran and it turns out that they can be seasonal too, although their 'season' is quite different. Most of them are at their best in spring or early summer when the snow in the mountains melts. So by the end of summer some of these seasonal waterfalls may not have any water at all. . Are there any seasonal lakes, rivers or waterfalls in your country? .
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