In January I traveled solo to Iran for a twenty day street photography adventure, maybe not your typical holiday destination.Here’s what I witnessed on my journey.
I was asked constantly by my friends, Hey Dewi where are you going next? When I said Iran, my friend's response was What's wrong with you Dewi? Are you crazy? Are you going to join ISIS? Are you going to war? Be careful you might not return home, or maybe you die there haha. People always mix up with Iran and Iraq.Oh, I'm just gonna ignore all these comments.
I was asked constantly by my friends, Hey Dewi where are you going next? When I said Iran, my friend's response was What's wrong with you Dewi? Are you crazy? Are you going to join ISIS? Are you going to war? Be careful you might not return home, or maybe you die there haha. People always mix up with Iran and Iraq.Oh, I'm just gonna ignore all these comments.
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Many people have the mindset that Iran is dangerous and not safe and it's crazy to even think of visiting this country. Well, this made me even more curious to experience Iran for real and not just daydream about being there from watching YouTube or Vimeo documentary videos.
I know, Iran is considered by many people not a typical place for a vacation, a country not suited for travelers, and just in general, a bad country to go.
The media has portrayed Iran as a country of terrorists, with George W. Bush listing Iran as part of the "Axis of Evil" and bordered by unstable countries.
A long time ago I was very obsessed with the middle east country and central Asia whatever is considered dangerous by the news and countries that very Islamic country, I guess maybe I watch too much with vice,al Jazeera news.
From a long time ago I really want to go to Afghanistan and Pakistan I think it's very hard to get the visa, not safe for a solo female traveler, expensive ticket, no friend connections, maybe next time. I thought Iran is a good start before I go to these two gnarly countries. Iran seems easier for solo travel, I check with many travel bloggers, ask around couch surfing hosts and documentary videos and the results are always positive stories. I don't check the news because the news is always not telling you the full story maybe just the bad part haha. It's hard to trust. I trust travel bloggers, they keep it real.
I know, Iran is considered by many people not a typical place for a vacation, a country not suited for travelers, and just in general, a bad country to go.
The media has portrayed Iran as a country of terrorists, with George W. Bush listing Iran as part of the "Axis of Evil" and bordered by unstable countries.
A long time ago I was very obsessed with the middle east country and central Asia whatever is considered dangerous by the news and countries that very Islamic country, I guess maybe I watch too much with vice,al Jazeera news.
From a long time ago I really want to go to Afghanistan and Pakistan I think it's very hard to get the visa, not safe for a solo female traveler, expensive ticket, no friend connections, maybe next time. I thought Iran is a good start before I go to these two gnarly countries. Iran seems easier for solo travel, I check with many travel bloggers, ask around couch surfing hosts and documentary videos and the results are always positive stories. I don't check the news because the news is always not telling you the full story maybe just the bad part haha. It's hard to trust. I trust travel bloggers, they keep it real.
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It's only when I return from Iran, I tell my friends and my mother.
Here's how the conversation was like:
Mother: Wow why you go so far away? I just tell my mom I was visiting Iran on my very last day there. I was worried she'd freak out.
Friends: Wow you're crazy, wow awesome, wow I am proud of you, and they let you out from the country?? Then other friends said well you have an Indonesian passport, Indonesian is no problem, Indonesia has the biggest Muslim population in the world.
YEAH, Indonesia and Iran they are HOMIES.
Then the local people in Iran asked me, why are you coming to Iran? What do you think about Iran? Please tell your friends we are not terrorist and Iran is safe.
Here's how the conversation was like:
Mother: Wow why you go so far away? I just tell my mom I was visiting Iran on my very last day there. I was worried she'd freak out.
Friends: Wow you're crazy, wow awesome, wow I am proud of you, and they let you out from the country?? Then other friends said well you have an Indonesian passport, Indonesian is no problem, Indonesia has the biggest Muslim population in the world.
YEAH, Indonesia and Iran they are HOMIES.
Then the local people in Iran asked me, why are you coming to Iran? What do you think about Iran? Please tell your friends we are not terrorist and Iran is safe.
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Baloch peopleThe baloch or baluch people are people who live mainly in the balochistan region of the southeastern most edge of iranian plateau in pakistan ,Iran and Afghanistan.
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Iran really is a street-photographers dreamland. Every moment is a photo opportunity. If I can pass through India, for sure I am tough enough to pass through Iran haha.
My goal was to finish my All over Asia dream by capturing the beauty of this country and to see the world through a different lens, to meet people and experience places that challenge my preconceptions on a journey through a land that has much to teach. I was able to experience the positive side of Iran and its wonderful people, up close and personal, during my trip there.
I'm glad I made this decision to make my middle east obsession dream come truly alive.
I can't wait to continue with another epic journey in another "don't go country". It's a very eye-opening experiences, so far Iran is the highlight from all my travel in Asia. It’s become my most memorable travel adventure.
My goal was to finish my All over Asia dream by capturing the beauty of this country and to see the world through a different lens, to meet people and experience places that challenge my preconceptions on a journey through a land that has much to teach. I was able to experience the positive side of Iran and its wonderful people, up close and personal, during my trip there.
I'm glad I made this decision to make my middle east obsession dream come truly alive.
I can't wait to continue with another epic journey in another "don't go country". It's a very eye-opening experiences, so far Iran is the highlight from all my travel in Asia. It’s become my most memorable travel adventure.
