News-New & Old

Here's a quick update.  We flew from Tehran to Shiraz.  Then took the bus to Isfahan and back to Tehran.  I will write details at another time. 

 

We arrived early this morning at the Tehran airport.  What an interesting time in customs.  We told the agents that we came as a group from the United States.  Upon this comment we heard a sigh and some laughter, then back and forth dialogue.    All of our passports were taken and we were asked to wait in small groups just outside the customs pathway between glass booths.  The men left us there for some time. They came back and led us to a side area with seating and a view of the airport exit.  At this point Rabbi Lynn came back with ink blots all over her hands.  I had seen her talking with a customs agent and standing near a table with some officers.  She had been finger printed and they had taken her passport.  The room became increasing heated as we sat and stood in the waiting area.  The combination of stress and fatigue, with hijab, tunic and jeans began stifling my body.  After more time we were all asked our names and finger printed with a blue ink.  The customs agent helped me place my fingers in the correct areas.  First the index finger in the far right box and then my middle finger and so on.  Then the left hand going the same direction with the index finger placed in the far left box and the middle finger to the right of it.  Below both your thumbs are stamped side by side while the other fingers are stamped in two seperate boxes below.  Our passports were handed back to us after what seemed like an hour or so.  We then left to pick up our luggage and to find Morteza, our contact and host.  Upon leaving the airport the cool outside air felt amazing!  Rabbi Lynn the introduced me to a man who had studied in Seoul, Korea and knew how to speak the language.  He gave me a huge smile and said something in Korean. I gave him a blank stare, apologized in English and said with little confidence, "An-Nyoung-Ha-Se-Yo?"  He smiled and replied with a kind bow.  My face must have turned bright red.  I said I do know some Italian, "Como sti?"  At this point we were asked to place our luggage on the bed of a water blue colored pick up truck.  We then boarded our yellow caterpiller bus.  A nice and new looking bright yellow bus with dark tinted windows and large side mirrors that hung down like an insect.    Our  driver had a white and black hat with a  uniform to match.  Driving through the city around four in the morning was amazing!  We bounced heavily along a freeway or highway.  Many Mercedes cars and trucks drove past us and peered through the windows.  Huge buildings and brilliant bright lights were in the distance and to the sides of us.  The city reminded me of San Francisco, minus the hills.   In addition to downtown  Los Angeles, near Korea Town.  At one point we passed a brilliantly lit mosque. Pillars colored in the same blue as the pickup truck that took our luggage.  I saw men opening shops and walking along the streets.  Billboards for shoe products and movie posters near bus stops.  In a haze we arrived at the Hotel Hoveizah where our bags  awaited  us in the lobby.  We were served chilled boxed orange juices and exchanged American money.  Then our room keys were handed out and we took the elevator to our appropriate levels.  Thus began my first day in Tehran.  I will write about Thursday soon.  I must leave to partake in an interview to represent young people in America.