Mohammad's Homecoming

It had been more than 7 years since Mohammad last stepped foot on Iranian soil.  This homecoming was much anticipated by both my husband and his extended family.  Children had grown up, marriages had been celebrated, babies had been born, and relatives had passed away...  a harsh reminder that life does not stop when you're absent.  The babies he remembered had become children, and the children he remembered had become young adults.  Likewise, my handsome husband was returning to Iran a grown man, with a wife and house of his own.  It is so strange to think of oneself as growing up.  We never feel quite as old as we are, yet we know we're not as young as we once were.  Similarly, it was a mix of emotions for Mohammad being in Iran again.  The country had changed so much in his short time away.  Though this is the only Iran I have every known, for Mohammad the clothing styles were dramatically different, the dress-code had become severely relaxed since he left, unmarried men and women could freely gather in public, money had almost completely lost it's worth, the city had become crowded with cars, vast apartment building sprang up from empty plots of dirt and sand, and hope for a better future seemed all but lost.  Though the changes were a bit socking to him at first, it was easy for him to settle into the new norm.  Most things were in fact, exactly the same.  Mohammad could still walk a block or two down the street for freshly baked bread, flower shops still made the most magnificent arrangements, arguing over the price of goods (negotiating) was still an art-form practiced by all, ghorme sabzi was still a staple at meal time, and Nana (paternal grandmother) and Agha (maternal grandfather) were still full of hugs and kisses.

In this most recent trip to Iran, my third trip in the past year and my first trip with Mohammad, I witnessed just how loved my husband really is.  I could see the love and admiration between Mohammad and his family filling the room every time they came together.  The smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes showed just how important to them Mohammad really is.  And by extension, I have become adored and loved as well.

There really is no place like home.

(If you would like a copy of some pictures, please message me and we will get the pics to you)

On the plane

Turkish Airline's lounge in Istanbul has amazing food

And is pretty awesome!

Just landed in Shiraz!

Mohammad found is money collection

Irani Pizza

At my fav Kornopich

Visiting those who have passed

:(

This is how Persians make sugar cubes.

This place had terrific food and service (Parsley)!

You know, just a regular holiday in Yazd, with children riding crazy camels and horses

Baba made us climb to the top of the mosque and this was our view

The sun was setting while we were up top

Irani bastani (Ice cream).  So yummy

Where most people buy their meat... trust me, don't go in.

It started snowing in Yazd!

At the nicest restaurant in town, Caesar.

The first of many family dinners

Baba, Nana, and Mohammad

The men...

At one of the oldest ice cream places in town.  Mohammad had Yazdi style fahloodeh

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Yes, that is a made riding his donkey to buy some bread...

In Bafru near Nana's house

The entrance to the house Mohammad lived in when he was first born

The door

Mr. Model

One of the old courtyards.  It's hard to imagine people living here in modern days.

Inside the house Mohammad lived in when he was young.

The first of many crazy stairways I was forced to climb

View from the first level up on the Bafru mosque

Pirashki... I love them!

Us with Nana

If you get the impression that we eat a lot in Iran, you are right!

Me pretending to help out with the cleaning...

Nana put on her wedding dress for me and we all took a picture with her.
I don't think any of us will ever forget this!

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Making lunch and a fire at Baba's baq

The fire didn't go so well so we resorted to blankets

The dancing queen

Eating... again

Silly boys

The little cutie!  He loves Mohammad.

And another meal...

Baby's got to eat too

Yet again

Look at all that snow!!

This is typically what happens before and after dinner...

Are we eating again!?!?!

Such a great picture!

Can you tell, everyone loves Nana?

The men +1

Group photo

Another meal...

Mohammad's high school buddies!

Agha is quite hip

Cuties!

Making kabob

Kiddos

Some more food!

Happy Birthday!

Another trip to Caesar

This time, with the friends and their wives

Hey!  We match!

All of the kiddos made snowmen

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And snowwomen

Did I mention you must eat fruit and sweets and drink tea at every house you stop by?

Still loves Mohammad

That's right, Mohammad is taking the picture

Cousins!

Hey boys!

More food!

Mohammad and his cousin both won second place in calligraphy for their year

Visiting more relatives

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This is the most kind and loving women I will probably every meet

Her husband is pretty sweet too

Yes, we were still eating

Mohammad with his uncles

Mohammad's first time meeting his sister-in-law

The boys were really into their game

Me pretending to help cook

Mohammad supervising

Love this pic!

And then we ate some more

and then some more...

Look at this cutie!

Like father, like son!

That's right... more food

Our last night in Iran

Finally entering Persepolis

It's quite awesome

A better view on how tall these things really are

Some of the ruins are preserved well

and protected behind glass barriers

but most of the ruins are in fact ruined

These crazy cats gathered around us while we were eating

in Shiraz

The baq was closed, but one of the workers let us in for a few pictures
and offered to take us on a private tour for some cash...

Baq-e-Hafezi

At the Quran gate of Shiraz, saying goodbye!