Dave’s Reise nach Osten

The safest streets in Iran

The funny thing in Iran is, it is enough to cycle on an overland street to meet people. It happens regularly that a car drives slower next to me and asks: “Where are you from?”, “Which country?” or plain Farsi with some hand gestures. Sometimes they stop and want to talk, I even got invitations like the following: “Call me when you are in Teheran!” / “Here is my address in Mashad!”. And all that does not stop when you cycle on the highway! Even there they slow down and start talking to you.
“Highway?” you may ask. Be assured, for a cyclist, this is the safest street type you can find in Iran: A whole lane for your own that (normally) nobody else claims. And at the toll station, you just drive through, wave and they wave back. Same for the policemen: they see you, but don’t bother. Street rules in Iran are really only decoration.

Update: I heared having a lane for yourself highly depends on the time of day you are on that street. Seems, I was lucky.

Along the Caspian Coast

On the road along the Caspian coast, I got invited three times by English teachers! The first time I stayed there for a whole week. It was a real pleasure to stay with Yazer, he did everything to be a good host while he and his wive where really not wealthy. I was really in need of that rest as my intestives where in a bad mood. Not to bad, but I was understrength and for the first two or three days at his place I was just sleeping! That Yazer stopped me on the street and invited me to rest at his place was really one of the best things that could have happened to me.

It is true, the hard thing in Iran is not to find hospitality, it is to go on! The day I cycled on from Yazers place I got invited by the next English teacher and I refused that invitation. At lunch time the next one showed up and lured me into eating lunch with him. I stayed and one lunch turned into staying at his place for one and a half day. He wanted me to visit all the classes in his English institute, which most of the time was fun and a cool experience. Also he was a great guy and his wive cooked some Iranian specialities for me. Yummie! After that I made it to Teheran cycling 5 days in a row, almost everyday doing a 100 kilometers.

And now I am in Teheran! 6200 Kilometers, 150 days of travelling.