Election

When you live in Iran politic is part of your daily life. How can one avoid traffic or politics living in Tehran? Today (Monday February 23, 2004) Majlis or parliament had its first public session & Mrs. Haghighatjoo MP announced that the election had not been fair & the members had been elected by order. She is the first Mp whose resignation was discussed and her words caused chaos and you know what happened.... surprisingly the TV showed it all!!!!!!!
Somehow she is right. Ava told me in a mosque the preacher told people to vote for Abadgaran the right wing conservatives with hard-line Islamic point of views & they have won the election hands down. I didn't vote & I know some friends had voted because of the masc. exam and they had not written any names. It's been said that 28% of people in Tehran had been participating in election & the number for Poldokhtar (a city in west of Iran) is 101%!!!!!!!! You see....
Right now no one knows what is going to happen when the conservatives gain complete control over here. They already have the judgment system and they have won the parliament & basically it is predictable that they are going to win the next presidential election because the majority of people are who support reformists are disappointed due to "law framework" president Khatami insist on. One thing is for sure if conservatives try to restrict this already limited freedom we have, it will lead to a serious action. But what it would be? No body really thinks about that. Alright... let's hope bright future!

Is there anywhere like home?

My family always travel a lot more than what others do over here. While most of people I know had not seen more than 2 or 3 cities in Iran, I had the chance to visit at least tow-third of the country. Still there are so many places left that I want to visit.... Being a vast country, Iran got lots of sight-seeing; natural & historical. It's got amazingly diverse cultures & varied traditions.
Most of the time, we travel by our own car. It's more convenient & you got to see more sight-seeing. Usually we set a city as a base & then go around checking other nearby cities.... It's like we take short trips not long travels. & sometime we take the opportunity of a tow day holiday or just a weekend to visit a nearby city.
Like this weekend we set off to the north part of Iran to seaside. This is a four-hour trip from Tehran to Motel-Ghoo (a tourist-city by seaside) & folks often go there in summer & finding a good place to stay will be really hard. It will be packed with tourists.... But as in the winters, Motel-Ghoo is rather isolated & only local residents & few people who have mansions there could be seen around.
Although we had been warned that the weather might be gloomy & it may rain, the sun was shining for most part of the day & only it snowed on mountains.... So we had very nice (and cold of course) weather. And the sea was so beautiful & wavy; there was no chance of swimming however not even in the pool. Yet me & my cousin went for a walk along the beach & I took off my shoes & stood in the waves.... The only sound was the sound of waves crashing the shore & the only other creatures were a seabird hovering over the water & my cousin who had been on the phone whispering words to his ladylove. It was so peaceful & quite... it seemed nothing would be able to destroy the magnificence & magic of the moment. It is unbelievable how people ruin the beauty of places. In the summer time you just see crowded seashore & cars & there is no privacy at all... even in private beaches your privacy is invaded by the noise & ignorant people.
Great time still the joy of being back home is greater.... Take from me, Tehran is the most beautiful place I have ever been in my life.

Friday is the time for masc. exam

And there will be another one held in May. So I have to study if I want to get administered!

Windy days...

Well; we have this windy days that are some kind of strange for Tehran. I mean we are not used to strong winds which would blow everything & all. Tehran most of the time is caressed by gentle breezes like tender hands of a mother.... But lately it seems that the storm beats the city!
The other night the wind was so strong I thought my window would break into pieces; but I was too tired to get up & sleep somewhere else my bed is by the window!) & I figured if it actually breaks, I would stay in my bed till my dad comes & cleans the shattered glass... :D good it never broke!
And today while I was walking down the street, the wind was leading me.... And as I got home the antenna on a neighbor roof broke & fell on a car! I had never seen something like that! Fortunately there was no one near the car or inside... but the front glass was shattered & the hood totally damaged!
All these happenings don't make me love wind less. Windy weather is like my moody character: unstable; changing; & unpredictable.... It could be strong enough to move you or it might be too delicate for you to even feel it. You may fly with the wind or you may run away from it.... it doesn't really matter; wind is moving you anyway....
& now I’m flying away with the wind.... Where to? I have no idea... when I got there I will let you know.

Moharam:

Moharam is the first month of Hijri calendar. But unlike other new years, for Sheeiis it is the time of mourning.... Imam Hussein; third religious leader of Sheeii, had been killed in the 10th day of Moharam. So we have some kind of religious ritual during the first 10 days.
The saga of Imam Hussein & the way he & 72 of his loyal devotees had died on the battlefield on Ashoura (10th day of Moharam) is known to every 2 year old Iranian kid. Although it had been exaggerated over past 13 centuries it still holds part of the true story.
During this 10-day event the cities are far too changed from what they usually look like. There are so many places that give away food as vows (which we call Nazri) & some mourning carnivals will be going on.... The ritual had been derived from an ancient ritual of “revenge of Siyavoosh” in old pre-Islamic era.
Siyavoosh had been the handsome son of keykavoos the emperor of Iran. He had been beheaded by Afrasiab the king of Tooran (Rival country of Great Iran) who happened to be his father in law. & his son Keykhosro took his revenge by killing Afrasiab (myth of Siyavoosh; Shahnameh; Ferdowsi). He had been one of the most beloved mythic characters in Persian myths & the ritual of his revenge had been held widely before Islam. Then when Imam Hussein died, according to the fact that he himself as well as his father Imam Ali was widely appreciated, the ritual turned to some means of protest against the Arab Government ruling Iran at the time. (No offence to all those Arabs out there, but that's the truth historically & I personally don't have anything against them.)
In this event there is this play called Ta`zieh which narrate the saga of the battles on Ashoura & Tasoua (day 9th). It originally played by men & even the female role of Zeiynab (Imam Hussein's sister) or other ladies on the battlefield is played by men. But recently there are few plays which are played by women as well as men. Ta`zieh is played on the streets or in the mosques but there is no need to for any stages & sometime a whole street is the stage for the actors. They are not paid for the role they playing & most of the time there is no rehearsal for the play. They just learn the words through each year play. So this acting job is kind of art which must be learned since childhood. One grows from being a soldier to being Imam or Aboulfazl or Shemr.
Shemr is the wicked fighter who'd killed Imam... so playing his role is the most difficult one. I had been studying acting when I was teenager & I dare say this role is too complicated to be played by some newcomers... so the most experienced actor will play shemr. He is wicked, strong, and knowledgeable & at the same time he loves Imam & he knows what he is about to do... he even cries when he kills Imam.... I had seen some powerful overwhelming acts that made me forget all around me & feel that I'm looking really at the scene in Karballa - the battlefield.
The greatest play is the one for Ashoura's noon.... There would be all these tents & horses & it tells the story of Hussein being killed.... You won’t believe the atmosphere in this play. Every audience has his own role in this play. You may never notice but you yourself will be part of the play... you cry, you shout & chant... if you are interested in folklore, Moharam is the time to come over here.
The mourning carnivals would be chanting, singing battle songs, dancing grievous moves & there'd be all these flags & A`lams (the big metal or wooden big tree-shaped thing decorated with metal balls & cloths & feathers &... as means of signs)... it really look like old army troops setting out to fight! And at last at Ashoura sunset there would be the candle light mourning tradition where things are quiet... because the battle is over & the caravan of prisoners consisting of ladies & kids & sick Imam Sajad (the only man still alive though very sick) is moving to Shaam to meet Yazid the ruler.
Unfortunately I'm not a good narrator & if you are not acquainted with the tradition this post will not help you at all! I will try to find some links on this part but for now why don't you take a look at Borrowed Ideas; Persian Roots of Christian Traditions. You may find it amazing....

Valentine in Tehran

Yes! It's valentine! Well, traditionally we don't have valentine day. But the tradition of valentine is growing really fast over here. I remember back at 5 years ago, guys would wonder when I would talk about valentine but now it seems every Tom, Dick and Harry know about it!
Well, I gathered its part of western culture that is spreading among my generation over here. I don't know if it's good or bad but it is what happening & we can't close the doors on other cultures. I only wish some day people around the world would celebrate MEHREGAN or YALDA or NOROOZ the way they celebrate valentine.
So what do folks do on valentine day here? Well, I really don't know! I mean I had never been on a valentine date before. Although when some old friends of mine had been in Iran they used to send me anonymous cards & stuff. & I used to do the same but as I said those days no one else knew about valentine! & to think about it we where only 14! Then 6 years ago they moved to France & we kind of lost contact. Still every birthday & valentine I got cards.
Yeah, folks... they tend to go on dates & you know if you want to make sure there is room for you in a specific place, then you have to book it in like 4 days time. & God knows that suddenly teddy prices sores up & flowers & candies become favorite part of shopping. Oh, yeah and the candle light dinner & all other things.... But as I said; it not my place to talk about it.
Any way happy valentine day.

The hardest part is to say goodbye

One of my best friends P the Pampering is flying away to Germany for a six-month training course.... He had been waiting for this for at least 6 months and we had been talking about it endlessly. But now that it's happening; well, I kind of feel overwhelmed & I can't help but to think that I'm loosing a supporter & I feel alone. All through the last 2 years we have gone through so much together. I understand that it's time to let go & that I have to stand alone & face my own battle (as he is fighting his own).
The hardest part is saying the words.... It makes it so final, so real. As far as you have not said GOODBYE, there is hope to have him for another day. So we both deliberately avoid this moment of uttering the word. But then there is no choice, is there? He will be gone & the friendship will be changed forever. Let’s encounter it.... we're off to experience our life & that's a good point. Maybe when he comes back we would find it worthwhile....
Alright! Goodbye & let's keep the memories good or bad, happy or sad. And may God help us in our way....

My phone line is disconnected too!!!!!!!!!

My, like it was not enough that I couldn't connect to internet, now I can not use the phone line at all.... 3 days with no phone... seems like hell. I mean what if I didn't have the cell phone?
It made me think that how life was without phones? Ever since I was born, my family had accessed to telephone & I gathered it had become a very important part of our lives. How can I chat with Ava if there would be no phone? She lives almost 45 minutes away from my house so it's kind of impossible to talk in person! The point is you're not supposed to have a one hour trip to chat for half an hour.... Beside some times it’s easier to say something on the line than to say it looking in the eyes (like goodbyes).
Well, enough of me nagging! Monday is Eid e Ghorban or Adha as you may know it. It’s like the biggest holiday in Islamic countries. There are some traditions that I won’t go through them now. & there is a myth about Abraham & Ishmael & the miracle that happened in such a day.... If you like to know more I will find some links to put here as soon as I got accessed to internet to search.
I was supposed to go on a short trip this weekend but unfortunately a far relative of mine passed out last Saturday & we had to attend the funeral &.... Last weekend I went on another short trip to Mashhad (a holy city in east part of Iran). The weather was rainy but the travel worth it. Right now dad is planning another trip to visit nearby city of Kashan to purchase some carpets for my aunt! I always thought Tabriz carpets are the most beautiful ones but my aunt thinks a silk Tabrizian carpet is way too expensive for bedrooms. What I don't really get is why they are going to buy the carpet in Kashan? It's not like we can't find Kashan carpet in Tehran!
Yes and its Fajr ten-days... the national ceremony for the 79 revolution. I find it rather boring & a bit exaggerating. It IS full of propaganda.... To be honest I don't think I like monarchy; the fact that one person gain a JOB & leadership of SUBJECTS by birth is really ridiculous & what's more why people should supply someone's life because he is the King? So the revolution was somehow inevitable but back at 1979 folks knew what they didn't want but they didn't pay attention to what they wanted... & it led us here! Ok! No politics! My personal political views are kind of strange & this blog is not the place to discuss them.
Life is easy & cheerful as always & let it be. Cheers for now.
Ps: I'll be back soooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnn!

Where have I been?

That's a long long story! Some time ago my internet access cut short because of some technical problem in the server.... Then I checked my blog & found out there has been no commenting system! Well, it seems that BlogSpeak is down & moved to some other sites so I have to register my comments again! Right after that my phone line wires got I-dont-know-what! This means I cannot connect to internet through my room's wires! & the idea of moving my pc to another room seems impossible (then how can I work till late in the night?).... So right now I'm using a public computer to access World Wide Web. But THE PHONE LINE WILL BE FIXED SOON or at least I hope so!
There are a lot of new subjects about Tehran I just figured hat would be interesting. Just wait a little bit more & I'll write about them.... What are they? Hmmmm? The first is wedding customs: the Tehranian way of the custom is different with other part of the country.
Joyriding will be another subject I may discuss. You see it's one of the so many ways young people have fun over here.
Changing the capital from Tehran to another city is what I must write about. Folks over here have different view about moving & all....
There are some things that I won't write about! The first one is "The sit-in of parliament by deputies"! & the next is election! Well, I'm not going to participate in this kind of unfair election & all he discussions wont change anything. The only cure for this wound is to change the overseer congress members in next election (If more legible candidates would BE able to participate!)
Enough for now. I'll be back soon....

comments?

what on earth had happened to my commenting system?

Driving in Tehran

If there would something I can't do over here is finding my way in streets of Tehran! I know some parts of the city too well but as for other parts well I don't think without a map I can find my way home!!!! (Some time even maps can't help!)
Now imagine me guiding by another naïve person over some UNKNOWN streets! Here goes the story: me & a friend (miss poetess if you remember) had to go to a funeral & her car was broke so we decided we would take my dad's instead! God know driving in Tehran is a difficult task, hectic traffic & all the rule breakings.... & just add the rain & you got a total mess! Anyway I picked her up & we started cruising... careful not to damage the car! An hour later the only place we couldn't locate was the place of funeral! Obviously we couldn't find it by our own so miss poetess called another friend to help....
The only thing he did was to confuse us even more! Guess what we crossed the same street 4 times before we could find a way out! At last we decided to go home leave the car & take taxi!
The taxi driver didn't know where the place was so again we were where we started… the place was no where to find! So I called another friend & guess what? The place name WAS WRONG! We had been looking for a masque that had been IN FORNT us all the time!

Birthdays

Alright what birthdays are like in my country? Fun! This word describe every birthday all over the world. Yet there are different ways of celebrating the occasion.
Over here in Tehran we celebrate our birthdays in different ways.... First there are parties (which in fact is my least favorite one)! It could be some family parties or friends. & usually it's in the evening 5 to 11 or longer. It may last till 2-3 am. Cakes & candles & gifts are the essential part of them. When I was younger I used to have big bashes for my birthdays. The tradition is like this: the first step is sending invitation cards to your guest. Usually hey are handed manually & you will have words in order to know how many people are able to make it. Then you have to prepare the foods & snacks & you know all this decorations with color papers, balloons, the funny hats and all the usual birthday stuff. Cake is ordered to be ready for the night. The evening of birthday party guest would show up around 7 to 9 & there would be dances & dare-devil or other kind of games then there would be inner (if you intend to have a diner party) & the last things are the tradition of blowing the candles & cutting the cake & unwrapping the presents. Most of parties will be over after that. But some others will linger and you may party al night long! This was almost the good part yet when I think of the mess which should be cleaned the day after.... just forget about it! I felt exhausted for a week!
The other way which I prefer is small family gathering. T’s cool when you got home & there is a small cake & flowers waiting for you. No dances which suits me fine & few beloved people who cherish you for you yourself not for the party you've thrown. Well, in my family there is a tradition of reading poems like hafiz.
Still there is some other ways like surprise parties which is not much different from the one I told ya. Another one is fiends hang out (that could be by plan or surprise). So far it had been the most preferred way among young people. You know throwing a party is kind of hard 'cos most of us live with our parents & arranging a plan without bothering them, is almost impossible. So we choose the easier way.... You choose a date & place & everybody will get over there. Someone will buy the cake & candles & you will have something in the café &.... There are different ways of paying for the birthday gathering. Some people have the birthday guy to pay (instead of 5he gifts as they say!) some other would pay for the guy as a gift & shares the other bill. We have another way... we share no matter whose birthday it is & there would be gifts as well. Actually I don't like the idea of gifts! Last year I & Mooshi had one birthday party & this year I just dismissed the idea of me having a hang out so we wouldn't have to go out 4 times in a week! Although I had a very pleasant surprise birthday hang- out with my CLC class pals.
Guess it’s enough for now. Tomorrow will be Mooshi's birthday & I don't want to look sleepy @ all!
Lets face the day with laughter....

My birthday:

Gone! A wonderful day... three surprises & lots fun... are gone! But the memory remains! The love I've been given, the fact that Ava & Katrine remembered my birth hour & the truth that there are people out there to support me will keep me through another year.
Every year I feel wow this was the best birthday ever! & every year I find more excitement. Happy New Year! Happy birthday & welcome to a new year... there is a change! In a mater of a second I've grown into being 24! & it started great!
This is strange... how people affect your life & how in a middle of a disaster you can find time for your own happiness. Am I to selfish 'cos I actually enjoyed my birthday while there are thousands dead, injured or lost in my country? This had happened although it was not completely earthquake-free, I managed to be happy. (Alright I had to explain to any one who called that the gathering is donating some money to earthquake victims & ask if they wanted to join in or not. But it was ok! No corps; no victims; NO TV)
I know I promised to write about Tehranian birthdays more. But it's not a good time! Believe me I'm beat right now. I've been out 7h non stop & then I had some guests & its 2a.m. just wanted to say happy New Year & ask for your prayers for the souls of dead. May 2004 be the year of friendship & peace. & may we learn that love can heal every wound....

more about Bam

khorshid khanum had asked us to put this link here.... go check it for yourself.

So it's my BIRTHDAY!

I'm turning 24! Can you believe it? I always consider myself as some 16 year old & now that I'm facing adulthood I can't say I really like it.
Tonight I'm going to dream of the way I want to be & tomorrow I will wake up to face my 23rd birthday & start the 24th year. & I'm trying to avoid any kind of parties. I want to spend tomorrow in complete peace....
Alright I can't quite avoid it! My aunt will drop by tomorrow & I will be out to have launch with Katrine. & there will be the cake & birthday traditions… except for the gifts which I don't like.
What are birthday traditions? Well, in a nut shell there is nothing as birthday morning tradition! We just celebrate the birthday eve. But there will be the cake & candles & wishes & all! I'm not really in mood to write about it by it's one the subject I plan to write more about. I will tell you all about the family tradition & friends hang out & the parties being held, everything that might be there to tell you about it!
Right now I wish there would be no surprise party!!!!!!
I will be back to tell you how I feel being 24... till then goodnight.

help the earthquake victims

well, if you wanted you can donate in here
Relief International is some where else you can donate!
& here is another link
all thanks to Eyeranian

Bam earthquake:

I'm fine & most of people over here in Tehran didn't feel even a shake but we are all shocked & things are a bit hectic here.

It was announced that 70% of the city had been destroyed & over 20000 lives are missing. The phone lines are disconnected & the electricity & water supplies are limited.

The rescue committee is biased in Kerman the nearest large city & 5 states around Bam & Jiroft are in stand-by state to help. Blood of all type, food and blankets are needed.

I've head that donations are enough to settle the victims for the night... I can't donate blood cos I got vaccinated in the past month & when I contact Red Cross, I've been told that volunteers' help in long distance is not needed right now cos it's impossible to send us over there & that we would be more trouble than help (not this much impolite of course!) the lady in charge was very nice though!

As you may heard the largest brick-building in the world, Arg-e-bam (castle of Bam) had been damaged completely! It has been one of the few sightseeing I never got the chance to visit. My family was planning to travel there in spring holidays; but I guess now we must plan on somewhere else.

Alright; I'll keep you informed if anything new happened but meanwhile I think I must thank Turkish government for they had been the first to offer their help.

Merry Christmas;

& happy holiday to everyone… with best wishes…

French law?

So what is all about? I mean, come on, why can't people wear what they want where they want?
It's rather strange that in a country known for the freedom, Hejaab is forbidden! I thought freedom means the government doesn't interfere with people's private lives. & religion, in my humble opinion of course, is personal.
How do you behave if government forbid going to churches? Or announce that you shall not wear cross around your neck? Wearing veils are as simple as that. Although I, myself, don't wear them as Islam says, but still there are ladies who believe in that... & it's insulting to them their belief is [how may I put this] not accepted.
What's the difference between Taliban & French government anyway? Both of them oblige ladies to wear what (some of them) don't want to. How may a scarf offend anyone anyway? Wearing it or not, it's just the matter of belief & taste.
One friend told me it's just the majority doesn't want women to wear Hejaab! Well, maybe the majority wants them to wear it in Afghanistan so what was all the mess about women's right there? If we've got the right to wear anything we like then why scarf is banned? & if there are limits to it, whereas not to offend majority, so why it's only for so-called privileged developed countries?
It has been just my personal point of view... It doesn't mean I support Taliban or any other government (as Iran's) who force Hejaab. Obligation in any case is considered wicked in my opinion, whether it be wearing or not wearing what you want.

yalda night

Wow, it's yalda night at last! Tonight we're going through the tradition of passing the night...
What is yalda night? Well, yalda is the longest winter night at 1st of Day, The longest night of year. Thee are some myths associated with this night but it's not my place to write about them... actually some of mythologists believe that Christmas is sort of derived from yalda & Mitra (God of Mehr & sun) myths & celebration. I am trying to find some sources & put the link here so you may know more about it! Meanwhile I can tell you the story I was told about it & my family tradition....
When we were young we used to listen to the story of how light fights evil through this longest night & how she wins & by the end of the night she walks back to earth....
It's been said that by keeping fire alive & lighting our houses we help light to fight & then find her way back to us! The lights are not supposed to go out all through the night & if there is fire place the fire must burn all night long. & most people tend to stay up till very late & chat...
I guess this night is eating-what-you-want-night! You know folks sit by the fire & while chatting, spend the night eating all kind of snacks! The first one to mention is Ajil-e-moshekgosha! This is kind of nuts which has some sweets along & it's very delicious! Folks eat them & think of their problems & they believe that the problem will be solved somehow.... It's a good thing to cheer up. I mean you think bitter but taste sweet & it reminds you that there is still sweetness & happiness around the corner.
Watermelons & pomegranates are very popular for eating during this night! I don't know why we have this RED fruits but there should be some kind of red fruit on the table for this night. Frozen fruits like cherries & strawberries are also very appealing. How do I love this night, just sitting there, eating snacks & listening to stories!
Enough from the eating part! Yalda is not all about eating! One of the main traditions of the night is reading Hafez! Fal gerftan as we call it. you light the candles & say a little prayer for Hafez soul & you ask him what would be your future & then open the book & read the first poem on the right side... You'll probably find it amazing that he actually hints about what you asked!
Yalda is what I call a family gathering. Most of the time folks gather in some older family member & stay there till 2-3 in the morning.... Somehow thanksgiving may be compared to yalda on this account. No one stays alone in this night.... This is a night to be thankful for loving & being loved....
Guess what? I have to go make some snacks ready for the night.... Enjoy your yalda
this is a cool link for knowing more about yalda.