Sydney at Last!

Arriving in Sydney was like a dream come true! I still can’t believe that I am here and with my Aunt and cousins. It has been years that I said I was come and I never got the chance to, now here I am. I had some issues at the airport but it wasn’t enough to get me upset because I was to excited to see everyone. One of my bags didn’t show up and naturally it was the one with all the “good” items in it. The other problem that I ran into was in customs, they decided to hold me there and question me for a while but in the end I was free to go.

My cousin Sara waited for over an hour, poor thing, but we reunited and talked about how much we missed each since leaving Scotland. We went straight to Sara’s sister’s house for Christmas dinner. I was so excited that I didn’t feel how tiered I was after a 16 hour flight. I just couldn’t believe that I was finally at Samira’s house and with everyone. My Aunt and Uncle came and I was so happy to hug them. We opened gifts, I was definitely not expecting this, but they all got me stuff and I was so excited for each one! After gifts we ate a delicious feast and then it happened, the jet-lag hit me! I could have put my head right there on the table and passed out. I went straight to my cousins bed and slept for a good 3 hours. I woke up refreshed and ready to go.

The past two days have been great, we have all been together and catching up. I am happy just to be with everyone even if we are at home. My sweet cousins keep asking what I want to do but I am truly happy doing whatever just as long as we are together.

I am excited about the weeks to come but something tells me that it will be hardest to leave Sydney!

This is the last stop!

Tonight I left Iran and to my surprise I left with mixed feelings. I really thought I would be ready to leave but the truth is that I could have stayed another month. I just thought that after one month I would have soaked in all that I could and I would be ready for something different. Even though I did most of what I wanted and I had an amazing time, I just wasn't at my limit yet. I think another few weeks would have done the trick!
My parents were nervous about me leaving and going through customs and catching the right flight. They kept saying that the airport can be a bit confusing and to just make sure I go to the right gate. Once I went in, it was a breeze! I was at my gate in no time, with no problems and my luggage was at the target weight! Once we finally boarded at 5am I could start to relax and try to get some sleep. As we were taking off I kept thinking about what a great time I had and I couldn't believe that my time in Iran was over. I was sitting there looking out the window and the next thing I knew the flight attendant came over and handed me some tissues, I looked at him confused for a second and then realized I had tears rolling down my face. I didn't think I would be sad leaving Iran, but I couldn't help think, when will I be back?
I tried hard to wipe my tears and stop crying but they just kept coming. I can't believe how emotional I have been at some points of this trip. I am wondering what the heck is going on because I am not this much of a crier and here I am going to Sydney and I can't stop crying! Really what is up with this?
Anyway once we there in the air my sweet flight attendant took good care of me and put a smile on my face! After I got about an few hours away that smile was getting bigger and bigger thinking about landing in Sydney. I am so excited to see my family in Sydney! I can't believe that I am heading to my last stop. All this time and preparation and it is almost coming to an end. I have loved every second but can't help to think that it flew by so fast. I have one month left before I head home!

A Warm Get Away!

Tears filled my eyes as I said goodbye to my aunt and family yesterday in Isfahan. As much as I told myself don’t cry, when the time came and my aunt hugged me, I couldn’t hold it in and neither could she. Mainly because we just don’t know when the time will come to see each other again. As time goes on she is getting older and it has become harder for Iranians to get a visa to come to America.

My uncle and I had a long ride back to Tehran but we finally made it after 7 hours! It was a bit longer because of traffic due to a few days that everyone was on holiday. I also had to part with my uncle once we reach Tehran, which surprisingly I was sad to leave him! He teared up as he hugged me a million times and I guess it was the first time I was sad to say bye to him. We just aren’t that close for me to get sad, who knows maybe I was just emotional from all the goodbyes.

My cousin picked me up from the station and we headed home to my other uncle’s house that I have been staying with during my time here. This is again my dad’s side of the family and the family I parted with is my mom’s side...just to clarify.

It was good to see everyone again. I spoke with my parents today and they are both doing well. My dad said that other than missing me, life is good and my mom is getting better every day that goes by.

My cousins and I decided since I have a week left to get out of Tehran for a few days and go to the island of Kish. During the colder months a lot of people travel to Kish for a warm get away, it is located in the Persian Gulf. I am excited for I have never been there, it is somewhere new for me to see and I hear it is a bit more lenient in the rules of the country. We are leaving tomorrow at 6am and will return on Wednesday in the afternoon. I, of course, will not be taking my Mac but I will have my journal handy for a quick entry and to post when I return! Until then...ciao!

Finally...I miss home...I think...

I miss home. I was waiting for when I would finally say that; I miss home. Oddly enough if I had a ticket back home right now I am not ready to take it. As much as I miss home I’m not ready to go back. The truth is that I really thought at some point on this journey things would become more clear for me. I thought I would know what I want to do when I go back home or where I want to go. I have no clue if I even want to return to Atlanta. I just thought being away would give me answers. I am now about to head to my last destination and I still don’t have any answers.

I do know that I miss my family more than anything. I would love to hug my mom and dad right now, it’s like an instant recharge. I miss seeing friends and the small things that I really wasn’t sure I would miss. And as much as I tell myself not to miss these things because I will have them before I know it, a person can’t help how they feel. I guess I just miss familiarity.

I keep thinking about all my old coworkers and how busy it is this time of year. I have been having dreams about work...I don’t know if that means I miss it or if it means that I am relieved to not be there. I think about all my friends and what they are up to, I miss just calling someone up and meeting for a coffee. I miss Christmas and all the hype that goes along with it; it’s my favorite time of year and I love everything from the repetitive songs to the crowded malls.

One would think that I am traveling around the world having the time of my life and that I don’t miss anything, but the truth is I miss it all. I called my brother tonight just to hear his voice, we had a great talk and although we aren't big talkers on the phone I just wanted to be on the phone with him to feel closer. Soon I will leave Iran and feel the same way about here. I want to remember and enjoy every moment of being here. I want not to miss home in order to be in the present. I wish I could blink and be home for a day and then return...wouldn’t that be lovely!

Where did Time Go?

Today my uncle arrived in Isfahan. Although he has been absent in much of my life I still couldn’t wait to see him and hear all things he remembers about me from when I was a little girl. He reminisces about the times when me and my cousins were young and we all loved to play with him as he was our favorite uncle then. Needless to say he has been through many different phases in his life and that has been the reason for the distance between us. The beauty of life is that things change and so has he.

Today is a holiday in Iran so everyone came to my aunt’s house for lunch and we spent the day together. It has actually been one of my favorite days so far; we ate lunch, played cards and hung out. In the afternoon we went to my cousins house and prepared for dinner. We decided to get a bit dressed up and take some family photos. We laughed and joked around until we couldn’t breath, it was a wonderful night. At some point my parents called and we put them on speaker so they could talk to everyone, I wish they were here and I know they do as well.

I only have one more full day in Isfahan, I can’t believe how fast time goes. I was happy to have 10 days here and now I only have one day left. I feel like I am just getting comfortable here, my cousins and I are constantly laughing and joking with each other. We are just getting to that point where we are enjoying each other and now I have to go. This is the part of traveling I hate; leaving.

Traveling has two extremes, you have the joy of arriving and seeing everyone, on the other side once the end of your trip is near you have the fear of saying goodbye and leaving. It is hard for those of us that live so far apart, who knows when we will see each other again and if we will see each other again. You get to an age where you realize that time is limited and goodbye’s become harder and harder. I don’t want to say bye to my aunt, I don’t feel like my time with her was enough. Oddly enough I feel like I could stay here for another month. I can only hope that I will be back sooner than later!

Pics of Isfahan

Me!!

Madoon Shah

Poleh Khajoo

Good Times

Isfahan has been wonderful so far. I have been staying with my aunt and everyday my cousin and her sons come over and we go out. It's been relaxing being here, a bit on a slower pace than Tehran. I have already seen so much of the city when I was little that there isn't a particular place I want to go or see. I just want to spend time with my family and hear all about their lives.
My aunt and I decided to go to Yazd, a city in the desert, for a 2 day visit. This was part of the original plan when my mom was coming but I figured I would stick with it and go. After all it's time to be with my aunt and see another city. Yazd is beautiful, it's close to the desert and the buildings are all build out of a special mud that resembles the desert. We went all over and saw all the major sites. In the evening we went to my cousins house for a quick visit and got to see more family. If you haven't guessed I have a huge family :) This is my first cousin on my mom's side and since we were there we got to see them as well. It was a nice visit and I am happy I got to see everyone.
Today my cousin and I went for some shopping in the large square's bazaar. If weight was not a problem I would have bought the entire place. Either way I will have to come back for a shopping trip with an extra suitcase! After our shopping we went for lunch at a great restaurant and of course, we pigged out.
Tomorrow my Uncle comes to see me and we will be together for a few days before I return to Tehran.