The day I hit the road
Trip Start
Jun 01, 2010
1
95
155
Trip End
Jun 01, 2011
Tabriz, Iran
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
I rolled through the toll gate and was suddenly a man bellowed "stop". It turned out he just wanted to practise his English and after letting me know that the road was free wished me a nice day. The lake bed was brilliant white and the lack of water in much of it meant in places vast expanses of dried up river bed greeted me. The water filled parts bordered these and the whole of the lake had a red tint as if I was wearing I'm in love glasses. Angelina Joli was not in the near viccinity, it turned out the lake really was glowing red. Pooriya told me this colour change happened a couple of days ago and no one could figure out why. The mystery baffled me as well.
The end of the lake and there were still no petrol station insight. They occuppied the Turkish landscape like weeds but here where the price of petrol is vastly cheaper they are more seldom. When you do see one they normally have a long line of cars waiting to fill up or no one at all. There is no inbetween. This I am informed is due to the price differential between the two types of fuel here. A one dollar saving for a tank intices petrol pilgrims. Many hours later I got my dosage of petroleum, infact it was water I was after but I saw a petrol station none the less. I was under the impression that the owner was angry at me for my water consumption during Rammazan but it turned out he just wanted to say hello. Another chance to practise my Farsi!
A tail wind aided my progress and I reached the city limits after another few hours. Signposts here are measured to the edge of the city and I spent an empty stomached hour discovering that I was nowhere near the centre. Sufficiently thirsty and hungry I made it to the centre and gave Massoud a call. Twenty minutes he informed me, just enough time to search out some food. I suspected my search for a bakery would not be successful and so I asked a local. A minute later upon reading my letter he presented me with a collection of baked goods from his shop. I knew the Iranians are friendly but I was expecting to go hungry during Rammazan.
Massoud arrived and we cycled back to his place. He is an electrical engineering student at Tabriz University and in his spare time he works for his Dad's advertising business. His place was vast, only one floor but what a floor it was. The place was beautiful and very well furnished with antique looking chairs and sofas. His Mum prepared me and his explorer Dad another lunch and then we hit the town.
We visited the Blue Mosque which is 500 years old but was rebuilt just a few decades ago due to earthquake damage. We spent a short while appreciating the intricate tile work and skilled rebuilding. If only they built houses like this. Motorbike madness followed this and Saber, Massoud's friend drove us through the city to the local park. This was certainly an adrenaline filled ride, it felt good. I was worried at times that Saber's interest in the female scenery would result in a crash but we made it to the hill top park in one piece.
Like all other parks in Iran it was full of exercise equipment, they even had a pull up bar! We did a circuit of the giant pond, discussed women some more and then decided we were hungry. The ride back was less alarming although I was suspecting the hunger crazed population to endanger us as they tried to make it back for their sunset feasts. We drove to Saber's 'house. In fact it was a house that his family were building. He lived in a large tent underneath it and guarded it day and night. This is living proof that Iranian familys are closer. He made us a fry up of potatoes, eggs and sauages, a taste of home that I was rather happy about. We had watermelon to top it off and then back to Massoud's. Massoud's Mum presented us with more watermelon, we lapped it up. I wish I could have spoken with his Dad. Abbas is a mountaineer and has climbed many of the high mountains in the area. I will have to leave our conversation for when I become fluent in Farsi ir Azery.
Tomorrow worries me, I suspect finding my way out of the city will be difficult. Our drive yesterday was disorientating enough. For some reason I am dreading it.
