Category: Travel

Iran, Travel

Cyrus the Great Slept Here (Pasargadae, Iran)

Miles from nowhere, the 6th century BCE complex of Pasargadae was built by  Cyrus the Great  who was the first ruler of the Achaemenid Empire. Renowned for its centralized administration, respect for its diverse population and human rights, at its peak, the empire extended from the Eastern Mediterranean and Egypt to the present day Pakistani-Indian border. Pasargadae is one of 19 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Iran. The 160 hectare (400 acre) … Continue reading Cyrus the Great Slept Here (Pasargadae, Iran)

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Iran, Travel

Stepping Back in Time – the Medieval Village of Taft, Iran

The medieval village of Taft is only a short drive from the center of Yazd and is home to a significant Zoroastrian community. Wandering the narrow streets is a pleasant way to spend a morning. Ripe pomegranates emanate  from the walled gardens of traditional homes. Open doorways provide a peek into the still largely agrarian society. The local women’s bright head scarves were a marked contrast … Continue reading Stepping Back in Time – the Medieval Village of Taft, Iran

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Iran, Travel

Yay for Yazd | Iran

Anyone with the good fortune to visit Iran must include Yazd on the itinerary.  Located in southeast Iran between the Kavir and Lut deserts, the city was a major stop on the caravan routes (Marco Polo called it “a good and noble city”). Yazd’s location and aridity spared it from the Mongol invasion preserved its traditional architecture. This photo gives a little perspective of the enormity  of … Continue reading Yay for Yazd | Iran

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Art, Museums, Travel

Puerto Rico Me Encanta

What’s not to like about a place that offers paletas (see above) right off the bat?  That sweet offering was only the first of many gustatory and visual treats savored during a wonderful weekend in Puerto Rico.

Fossils and Toes

Ancient sea creatures remains made for elegant pathways around the hotel.  I found the patterns mesmerizing (or maybe it was the heat?).

Windows_OldSanJuan

Some of the manmade patterns were lovely to behold, as well.  I wish I had a drop-tilt lens but had to make do with this angle.

StreetScape_OldSanJuan

The streets of Old San Juan are full of beautiful homes, many in need of some TLC.  In fact, this part of the city is undergoing a renaissance, as many are choosing to move in and renovate the colonial buildings.

AC_Home-2

We were guests in one of these fabulous homes. Not a few of us were ready to take up residence as well!  Continue reading “Puerto Rico Me Encanta”

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Architecture, Travel

Three Must Sees in Great(er) Kerman, Iran

Iran is full of “must see” places:  in almost two weeks, I averaged three sites a day and only scratched the surface. At the top of my list for southeastern Iran: the shrine to a 15th century mystic and poet who lived for 101 years.

Shah Nematollah Vali

Shah Nematollah Vali was a Sufi Master and poet born in 1330 in Aleppo. He traced his own descent from the seventh Imam and is considered the founder of the Sufi order Nimatullahi.  Continue reading “Three Must Sees in Great(er) Kerman, Iran”

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Kerman, Iran, Hamam-e Ganjali Khan
Architecture, Travel

Captivated by Kerman | Iran

While I was surprised by how much Tehran exceeded my expectations, I had no preconceptions about Kerman, in fact I had to look it up on a map when I saw my itinerary.  I hate to admit such ignorance, especially about a city/region that deserves more attention that it gets.  Kerman was settled in the third century, became well known for its cashmere and rugs,  and … Continue reading Captivated by Kerman | Iran

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Art, Museums, Travel

Tehran | Art and Culture

The visual arts in Tehran range from exquisitely preserved  masterpieces of the  early Islamic era to enormous freshly painted murals on the sides of buildings and everything in between. I could have spent days immersed in the masterpieces at The National Museum of the Islamic Era, which just reopened in August 2015 after a nine-year hiatus. A beautiful and serene museum,  its collection includes ceramics, stucco work, calligraphy, and illustrated manuscripts. Photos don’t begin … Continue reading Tehran | Art and Culture

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Travel

Tehran | First Impressions

My misconceptions about Tehran became abundantly clear from the moment I arrived.   Given the paucity of non-political coverage in the western press — only recently are destination travel articles beginning to appear — most of my expectations were based on friends’ recollections from their time pre-revolution, books which were perhaps dated as well, and the rare current movie such as A Separation and Taxi ( … Continue reading Tehran | First Impressions

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Travel

Iran |A Little Farsi Goes a Long Way

Smiles are a universal language that help break down barriers in so many places.  However, in advance of my recent trip to Iran, I decided to add a little Farsi to my repertoire.  It was one of the best decisions I made.  While Iranians are among the friendliest people I have encountered in my travels, they lit up when I tried to communicate in their … Continue reading Iran |A Little Farsi Goes a Long Way

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