Slow Down, Kamran!

Today, we are obsessed with time and growth. It makes sense. After all, when we get only this much time to live, why not make every second count? So we speed up in everything we do, be it pursuing career goals or travelling. I was no different. When I began my bicycle journey from Germany … Read more

Chinese Visa

It turns out it was indeed wise to apply for the Chinese Visa in Tehran as it couldn’t have been any easier. All it was required was a filled application form, which included the itinerary details, a passport photo, and a visa support letter from the German Embassy in Tehran. Apart from that, no supporting … Read more

Iranian Currency

Iran’s official currency is Iranian Rial, but everywhere the currency people use is Tomans. In a simple scenario, 1 Toman = 10 Rials. So far so good, but things get confusing when number of zeros increase. If for example a taxi driver shows you 3 fingers, it means means he wants 3000 Tomans = 30,000 … Read more

Thierry On Slowing Down

I met Thierry in Marand, Iran by chance when my host Akbar was leading me to a guesthouse. On the way we saw Thierry surrounded by a number of policemen and passersby outside a police station. He had been brought there by a taxi driver whom he had refused to pay after a terrible misunderstanding … Read more

Legendary Warm Showers Host In Iran

In Marand, I was was in search of a hotel and made a stop at a corner vegetable shop to ask for the directions to a hotel. The shop-keeper stopped a motorcyclist on the road and explained something to him. I was asked to simply follow the motorcyclist. After about 5 minutes of cycling, we … Read more

Caught In Rasht

After cycling 112 kilometres today I reached Rasht, Iran. Despite feeling a bit tired I went out for a walk in the local bazar where I saw this gentleman selling oranges. I was fascinated by the play of light and shadows on the oranges and how he was lit by the energy saver lamp hanging … Read more