Iran: a shining example of great people

It was Mark Twain who once said, “Never let schooling get in the way of a good education.” Well, I was educated by none other than the government and the people of my newest and fondest travel des

It was Mark Twain who once said, “Never let schooling get in the way of a good education.” Well, I was educated by none other than the government and the people of my newest and fondest travel destination: Iran.

While attending the first annual Iranian Tour Operators Conference, which took place on November 24th- 27th in Tehran Iran, I had my eyes opened to the finest example of a government’s effort and its peoples natural hospitality, all working together in complete synergy to promote a dialogue among civilizations through cultural understanding and communication.

The people of Iran are among the most dignified, friendly and respectful people in the world. Through their actions, they have shown a great desire to be understood. By traveling through Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz and Kish Island as an American, it is obvious to me that Iran is a friendly, peace-loving country and a place of tolerance and understanding. These facts about Iran, along with one of the richest histories in the world, and four travel seasons, make Iran a must on any traveler’s to-visit list.

After touring Iran for seven days and spending the last two on my own in Tehran, I found Iran to be a country, proud of its history and sincere in desire to be understood and to participate on the world stage. There is one particular story from my trip to Iran that I wanted to share. While being treated wonderfully by government officials and by people everywhere I went in Iran, I had the pleasure of striking up a conversation with a 20-something-year-old man from Tehran. After an exchange of conversation and the overwhelming effort on his part to welcome me to his county he ask me a very candid question which caught me completely off guard. “Do you think, I’m a terrorist?” he asked.

I was shocked by this sincere and heartfelt question and my only response was “Of course, not”. For the next four days, I spent all my free time in the company of this man. On the last night, he took me to one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen called Jamshid Davallu Park located at the base of Kolakchal Mountain in the Niavaran District of Tehran. I spent my last night in one of the parks traditional restaurants eating traditional Persian food sitting on traditional Persian rugs and smoking a traditional Persian hookah, with my new Iranian friend. Americans can learn a lot from the people of Iran, especially in terms of sincerity, hospitality, understanding and communication.

To get helpful insight into Iran and the Iranian people, as well as a perspective on the land of Persia suggested reading would be “The Ayatollah Begs to Differ” by Hooman Majd (www.hoomanmajd.com).

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

Share to...