Category Archives: Iran
The Bahai and their Rules
If I may join the English-speaking tour at 12 o’clock, I inquire from the guard in front of the iron gate. The enormous gardens of the Bahai religion dominate the cityscape of Haifa. The landmark of the third-largest city of the … Continue reading
Where is Mecca?
Hier gibt es diese Geschichte auf Deutsch. Everyone knows the situation: You are eating at McDonald’s or looking for the latest Jack London novel at the public library. You are running after bus no. 5B or slowly walking through the … Continue reading
Easily Confused (39) Fashion Police
Fashion police (Iran): Fashionable police (Italy):
Film Review: “Argo”
When I was in prison in Iran in 2009, I was hoping for someone like Tony Mendez to burst open the door to my cell and to whisk me to a waiting helicopter. Except that I hadn’t heard of him at the … Continue reading
Don’t build a tower when you are drunk!
This is Arg-e Karim Khan in Shiraz, Iran. I took the photo on my first trip to Iran in 2008/2009. Inside is a beautiful garden with ponds and orange trees, as well as a museum. When I visited, there was … Continue reading
Google Maps knows what is really dangerous
While planning my next adventure, I asked Google Maps for a suggested route for walking from Pakistan to Syria. From my irregular reading of newspapers and my reading of Karl May’s books a little while longer ago, I thought I … Continue reading
After Obama’s re-election, what is next for Iran?
Last night’s re-election of President Barack Obama as well as the Senate elections and the ballot measures will alter the political landscape in the US more than the 2008 election did, but the rest of the world has mainly been … Continue reading
The Myth of the Israeli Passport Stamp Problem
When speaking to fellow travellers, globetrotters and Couchsurfers, I am always amazed how many people are afraid of visiting Israel – not because of Hamas’ rockets from Gaza or because of suicide bombers, but because of a stamp in a … Continue reading
Malta breaking sanctions against Iran
For months, people have asked “What are you actually doing in Malta?” For months, I incessantly maintained my cover story of being a student and a tourist. At least it was a more comfortable cover story than others I had … Continue reading
Iran wants Peace
Iran wants peace. It’s a peaceful nation. Iran wants to have constructive relations with the rest of the world. Really. I saw it with my own eyes when I was in Iran: Seen and photographed in Shiraz, Iran in January … Continue reading
The Happy Hermit 