Wednesday 18 March 2020

New Year in Isfahan - Day 1 - The 28th of December 2019


I haven't been writing since November last and as Nowrooz is approaching while the whole world is going through such a turmoil because of the corona virus I feel I should write down my feelings in regards to the Iranian people and the way I was once more welcomed by them over the New Year's period according to our calendar.


I reached Isfahan in the early hours of the morning with a suitcase filled with Christmas presents for the people I have been close to in Iran over the last years and who have always opened up their hearts for me. Once I spread the presents in multiple packs around the room I took a nap till the early afternoon.
 
 
 



 
 
 
I wouldn't be seing Rohan, Romina and the cousins till late in the afternoon, so I headed to my favourite place in Isfahan (via Mirdamad) - the Imam square, close to which I had my special zafran tea with cardamon and other herbs prior to heading to one side of the bazaar so as to meet Mostafa and do some shopping at his jewellery shop.
 
 
Walking along those streets always gives me a sense of happiness, which is hard to describe and irrespective of the time of the year Isfahan is a place a regularly crave to be in.
 











 
 
 
After having had lunch in a fairly popular restaurant in the bazaar I inevitably headed back to the Imam square where I just sat for endless hours just admiring its beauty and the people moving about.
 
 




 
 
 



 
 
 
 
By the time I walked back along Mirdamad it was getting slightly colder, particularly because the sun was no longer to be visible. Leaves were all over the pavements and a sense of Autumn filled in the air. I have never really enjoyed this season but "feeling" its different touch around here made me reconsider the poetry in it.
 
 
 



 
 
 
 
The children were visibly happy with the presents they received, but so were some of the adults, which I particularly felt when they gathered around a photo album I had organized with photos depicting some of our best moments together in previous occasions. Two of the children greeted me with a red rose and a Christmas-like tree made out of a pine, which really touched me.
 
 
 














 












When I slipped under my bedcovers in the upper floor my heart had been filled with joy. I was then made aware that I had clearly made the right choice to travel back to Isfahan and  make my way back into this wonderful family..



 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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