We’re in a place called Bijar (“Bee-jar”)

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Hey gang,

Both Laura and Chris here this time. We are in an Internet cafe in a small city called Bijar. In Iran, Internet cafes are called coffeenets, even though there is no coffee in sight. Just a reminder, some popular Internet sites are blocked here, including Facebook and, apparently, Yahoo. So if you want to reach Laura, be sure to use her Gmail address (laura.dawn.beauchamp(at)gmail.com).

Today we visited a site called Takht-e-Soleimon, which was the religious centre of Zoroastrianism for hundreds of years. Zorostrianism was one of the first monotheistic religions, and still has a following here in Iran, even though it is over 3,000 years old. We also climbed a nearby volcano cone, and peered into a deep caldera that was full of cliff swallows and buzzing bees. Yep, a volcano, full of bees. As if a volcano isn’t dangerous enough! We got some cool shots which we will post when we can.

Getting out there was one hell of an ordeal however, involving two taxis, a horde of spectating taxi drivers, and us getting very angry at our first driver in the middle of a roundabout after he drove us two hours in the wrong direction. We don’t think it was an honest mistake, but rather an extortionate one, for in the end we had to pay 150% of what we originally agreed. Luckily our second driver was much better.

We are finding Iran to be frustrating in many ways. On one hand, the people are super friendly and curious about us everywhere we go. Unfortunately, the language barrier is extreme. We can’t read Farsi script, and therefore struggle with even simple things, like recognizing a hotel when we see one. Menus are a complete non-starter, and figuring out prices are an ordeal every time. The money is a challenge. There are, on-average, an extra five or six zeros on every bill. Iranians use rials as their currency, but in vocal exchanges, talk about something called Tomans. A Toman is 10 rials. So, if something costs 10,000 rials ($1), they will ask for 1,000 Tomans. Confused? Us too.

We also only speak a handful of Farsi phrases, although we’re trying to learn more. We haven’t been to any of the bigger cities in the country yet, so haven’t met all that many English speakers. Even our usual standby of wild gesticulations, sound effects, and sign language doesn’t go as far here as usual. On top of it all, Chris can’t stop giving people the thumb’s up gesture, which means something wholly different over here (picture a thumb, going up, and then try to guess which orifice it might represent plugging).

We’re both still getting over our bouts of common traveller’s sickness, so the steady diet of kebabs, coupled with the ever-present squat toilets, have added to our drama.

Anyway, enough whining. We’ll try to take photos for you guys and keep up our cheerfulness just for you. We know how much you’re depending on us. Besides, it’s getting late, and we better return to our $14 hotel room with it’s beds that look like they came from Alcatraz’s closing sale.

Leave us some love in the comments, we could use it.

Love,

Chris and Laura


Comments

8 responses to “We’re in a place called Bijar (“Bee-jar”)”

  1. DALE AND BETTY MCPHERSON Avatar
    DALE AND BETTY MCPHERSON

    HI CHRIS AND LAURA; SOUNDS LIKE LOADS OF FUN—WISH I WAS THERE—HEE,HEE… ANYWAY, CHINS UP AND THUMBS DOWN. HANG IN THERE, YOU’LL BE BACK IN THE REAL WORLD BEFORE YOU KNOW IT. LOL, AUNTIE BETTY

  2. Christine Campbell Avatar
    Christine Campbell

    You guys are awesome! I wonder what it means if you give someone the finger in Iran? Let’s not find out ๐Ÿ˜‰ Anyways, keep up the great work! You guys are an inspiration!! Also, I hear the beds at alcatraz are actually really good! ๐Ÿ˜› Miss you both tons and can’t wait till we meet up again!

    1. Laura Beauchamp Avatar
      Laura Beauchamp

      Hee, hee, hee. Thanks for your support Christine! We miss and love you too. Who knows where we’ll meet next? Isn’t that exciting?

  3. Jon Roe Avatar
    Jon Roe

    It is always important to learn the local rude gestures, in case you need them.

    1. Laura Beauchamp Avatar
      Laura Beauchamp

      Very true Jon.

  4. We are sending you lots and lots of hugs. Just remember that each time you faced an obstacle, (such as the barrier of language for food, taxi, 60 km sans camel, etc), you have managed to overcome it. Not all of your experiences will be easy (or priced fairly lol) but you will learn something from each experience. Besides, ‘easy’ wasn’t the experience you were after or you wouldn’t have ventured off the beaten path. We are ALL very proud and encouraging and wish for you to keep your chins up and your thumb down (Chris)! You will fondly remember this trip of a lifetime. Can I make a small suggestion that you lay off the kebabs for a while??? Love you guys! xoxoxo (Can’t wait for you to be safely home where we can hug you like crazy).

    1. Laura Beauchamp Avatar
      Laura Beauchamp

      Thanks Kelli and family. Knowing you’re thinking about us makes us feel better. We’re trying our best to lay off the kebabs. It’s actually very hard to find restaurants here. We walk for blocks before we find one. Yesterday we found pizza restaurants, so we had pizza for lunch and dinner! ๐Ÿ™‚ Bet the four rug rats are jealous of that one. Hee, hee, hee. We love you. -auntie Laura-

  5. You want love you say…more than enough coming your way. I have probably more than you can handle.

    Smile again and enjoy your good times. Play safe (as always)

    Love you bunches…Mom

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