Ali Banki's mother said to me in Tehran, "You have not see Iran until you have seen Tabriz". So needless to say, the offer was on the table for one final stop in one of Iran's most fantastic cities. Ali booked me a flight and I hopped on a domestic carrier, and landed less than an hour later in Iran's western capital, the homeland of the Azeri people, and it was here that I now know my trip across Asia is coming to an end.
I did not realize at the time how far I had come, crossing from North Korea in April to be sitting here in September at the furthest edge of Iran, smoking a hookah pipe with some fine lads about to board a bus for Turkey.
But this long waiting game, all to common on my trip was a good opportunity to write this blog and reflect on this lovely city and its surroundings.
I have been so blessed in my life to have such good family and friends and every so often these skills they taught me transfer into my travels. I have learned to be outgoing, for back in my early days I was not, so dad if you are reading this, thank you!
I just kept running into incredible people, taking me out for dinner, showing me their incredible cities, taking me outside the city to see beautiful villages, dance to Persian traditional music, dine on fantastic foods and learn about some of the most ancient cultures in the world.
The place that excited me the most on this short stop over in Western Iran was the village of Kandovan. It is similar the exotic Cappadocia in Turkey, except in this village the locals still live in their traditional homes, and there is no western tourists to be found. I bought a wool sweater for my friend Santanna, as she is hipster enough to pull off a fantastic traditional Iranian sweater.
The city is bustling with incredible markets, beautiful mosques and churches and a central plaza, with a man made lake that is romantic as any place I have been, and Persians and their Azeri cousins love night life, exploring the evening with their families, dining on fantastic ice cream and enjoying good comedy.
I have to say, Ali's mother was right, if one is ever to visit Iran you must see Tabriz, for it is an opportunity to get a different look at how diverse Iran truly is, a different language, different customs, but many similar vibes. Iran is so diverse, with places such as Balochistan, Kurdistan, the gulf Arabs, Turkmen and many more found within its vast borders. I cannot wait for the opportunity to return and see them all one day in the future.
To those I met in Tabriz, I thank you so much, as this was my final stop in Iran, I could not have ended on any higher of a note.
Cheers to an amazing trip in Iran and one of the most amazing countries I have ever visited in my life!
Time to board that bus for Turkey, HAZAAAA!
-William Delaney
 |
| Boarding the flight for Tabriz. |
I did not realize at the time how far I had come, crossing from North Korea in April to be sitting here in September at the furthest edge of Iran, smoking a hookah pipe with some fine lads about to board a bus for Turkey.
But this long waiting game, all to common on my trip was a good opportunity to write this blog and reflect on this lovely city and its surroundings.
I have been so blessed in my life to have such good family and friends and every so often these skills they taught me transfer into my travels. I have learned to be outgoing, for back in my early days I was not, so dad if you are reading this, thank you!
I just kept running into incredible people, taking me out for dinner, showing me their incredible cities, taking me outside the city to see beautiful villages, dance to Persian traditional music, dine on fantastic foods and learn about some of the most ancient cultures in the world.
 |
| Kandovan village, Western Iran. |
The place that excited me the most on this short stop over in Western Iran was the village of Kandovan. It is similar the exotic Cappadocia in Turkey, except in this village the locals still live in their traditional homes, and there is no western tourists to be found. I bought a wool sweater for my friend Santanna, as she is hipster enough to pull off a fantastic traditional Iranian sweater.
 |
| Meeting New Friends in this amazing city. |
The city is bustling with incredible markets, beautiful mosques and churches and a central plaza, with a man made lake that is romantic as any place I have been, and Persians and their Azeri cousins love night life, exploring the evening with their families, dining on fantastic ice cream and enjoying good comedy.
I have to say, Ali's mother was right, if one is ever to visit Iran you must see Tabriz, for it is an opportunity to get a different look at how diverse Iran truly is, a different language, different customs, but many similar vibes. Iran is so diverse, with places such as Balochistan, Kurdistan, the gulf Arabs, Turkmen and many more found within its vast borders. I cannot wait for the opportunity to return and see them all one day in the future.
To those I met in Tabriz, I thank you so much, as this was my final stop in Iran, I could not have ended on any higher of a note.
 |
| Last hookah pipes in Iran. What a bunch of great hosts. |
Cheers to an amazing trip in Iran and one of the most amazing countries I have ever visited in my life!
Time to board that bus for Turkey, HAZAAAA!
-William Delaney
 |
| The border with Iran and Turkey. What and adventure! |
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