Life is a balance of holding on and letting go ~ Rumi
Perhaps nowhere in the world is this more true than in Iran. All around this country I have found modern and ancient, nestled right next to each other; forced to share the same space. It is sometimes a striking contrast and it is always a huge reminder of where we have been and where we are going. Just as the heart does not easily give up an old love, mother Iran cannot give up her ancient traditions. Here the past is alive, existing with the future.
Alhumdulillah (praise be to God) tomorrow should be the last day of Ramadan! Today was not an easy day to be fasting. It was so hot! By the time we left for cooler weather in the afternoon, I felt as if I might pass out. Thankfully, as we climbed the dangerous mountain roads (did I mention before how crazy driving in Iran is?) the temperature dropped from 115 to the high 80s. It felt so nice that I contemplated asking my brother in law to leave me there for the night!
The mountain area is a collection if small-ish vacation houses all with gardens, and sparse permanent residences. For some reason, the locals love to paint their roofs bright colors. Baba's baq (garden) has really grown in the past few months! The trees that line the yellow brick walls are almost two stories tall and so much produce is being produced that we have to give much of it away (there is no way I am being forced to eat 50 cucumbers).
I also got to see my brother in law's baq. He is just completing the walls and hopes to build a vacation house. By the way, we did all this veggie picking and exploring before maghrib, before breaking our fast, and if I thought I was thirsty earlier, just imagine how exhausted I must be now! Thankfully, while we were on a small hike we heard the ahzan called out from 5+ local mosques so we quickly returned to the car and headed back to Baba's baq for Iftar.
Laying on the roof of the water cistern at Baba's baq in almost complete darkness after eating some nice chicken kebabs I was again reminded how ancient this land is. Rigid mountain peeks surround my view. I can just make out the steep mountain tips with the help of the moon. Stars are everywhere, shining down on me as I lie on my back and I begin to wonder who may have watched this same night show thousands of years ago. Did Cyrus the great ever pass through these mountains and stop to admire these same burning lights? I would like to think so. In fact, I would like to think that the water I hear trickling into the garden and the sound of the leaves rustling in the wind are the same sounds someone long ago would have taken comfort in just as I am today.
Alas, I must return to this forever spinning world and make the short but treacherous journey down the mountain. First we make a pit stop for bastani (ice cream) my beloved dessert!
Perhaps nowhere in the world is this more true than in Iran. All around this country I have found modern and ancient, nestled right next to each other; forced to share the same space. It is sometimes a striking contrast and it is always a huge reminder of where we have been and where we are going. Just as the heart does not easily give up an old love, mother Iran cannot give up her ancient traditions. Here the past is alive, existing with the future.
Alhumdulillah (praise be to God) tomorrow should be the last day of Ramadan! Today was not an easy day to be fasting. It was so hot! By the time we left for cooler weather in the afternoon, I felt as if I might pass out. Thankfully, as we climbed the dangerous mountain roads (did I mention before how crazy driving in Iran is?) the temperature dropped from 115 to the high 80s. It felt so nice that I contemplated asking my brother in law to leave me there for the night!
The mountain area is a collection if small-ish vacation houses all with gardens, and sparse permanent residences. For some reason, the locals love to paint their roofs bright colors. Baba's baq (garden) has really grown in the past few months! The trees that line the yellow brick walls are almost two stories tall and so much produce is being produced that we have to give much of it away (there is no way I am being forced to eat 50 cucumbers).
I also got to see my brother in law's baq. He is just completing the walls and hopes to build a vacation house. By the way, we did all this veggie picking and exploring before maghrib, before breaking our fast, and if I thought I was thirsty earlier, just imagine how exhausted I must be now! Thankfully, while we were on a small hike we heard the ahzan called out from 5+ local mosques so we quickly returned to the car and headed back to Baba's baq for Iftar.
Laying on the roof of the water cistern at Baba's baq in almost complete darkness after eating some nice chicken kebabs I was again reminded how ancient this land is. Rigid mountain peeks surround my view. I can just make out the steep mountain tips with the help of the moon. Stars are everywhere, shining down on me as I lie on my back and I begin to wonder who may have watched this same night show thousands of years ago. Did Cyrus the great ever pass through these mountains and stop to admire these same burning lights? I would like to think so. In fact, I would like to think that the water I hear trickling into the garden and the sound of the leaves rustling in the wind are the same sounds someone long ago would have taken comfort in just as I am today.
Alas, I must return to this forever spinning world and make the short but treacherous journey down the mountain. First we make a pit stop for bastani (ice cream) my beloved dessert!
Baba's Baq
From the roof of the water storage building
on the roof of the water storage building
harvesting
khiar-sabz va felfel
Cucumber and pepper
Peaches
watermelon
eggplant
our dinner, yum!
the beginning of my brother-in-law's baq
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