Three Thousand Years of Persian Art

For those of you interested in Persian historical art, the Hermitage in Amsterdam is exhibiting Three Thousand Years of Persian Art. (until mid September of this year)

Get a glimpse of Iranian history, one of the cradles of western civilisation, in a secure environment ;-)

Anyone want to join me?

Amsterdam Tourism

Permission to land

My plane flew into Dutch territorial air space nicely on time, which is not very typically Iranian, but in the end we arrived at the airport with a big delay to make up for that. Iranians seem to have a problem with recognising borders, so that could have been the reason that we circled in the air for two and half hours between Amsterdam airport and Germany. But is was fog hanging over the so securely organised Amsterdam that messed with clear sight and could not give us permission to land.

Funny how you follow the flight-track on screen when you mentally prepare for the plane to descend; you come close to destination and then turn around, fly back towards where you came from, make another circle, come close again to destination and then again turn around. We did that about five times. As if we couldn't decide; eager to go to Amsterdam, but also drawn back to Tehran. I was hoping we were carrying enough fuel to reach our destination, or to go back, but not needing to land somewhere in between.

It's been two weeks now, since i've arrived in NL. It's lovely to see everybody but it has also been strange to be here. Everything is how it was, right where i left it, i've only been away for 6 weeks, and still it is a little weird. I looked forward to come here for a bit, but it's working out quite differently from what i expected. There is nothing wrong here in NL, i still love it, just something missing.

I'm not restless or worried, but thinking that it will be like this for the coming period does not exactly bring a smile to my face. Off and on, here and there, rolling nicely and then on a halt. I feel blessed that I can have a bit of both worlds, but my landing here in NL has been shaky. And that influences my daily on-goings, rhythm and body. In one of my previous postings i wondered if it was the right time to go back to NL, have an involuntary break in this wonderful growing life in Iran. It's no point wondering, the fact is here.

Of course, they have phones and internet in Iran too, maybe the lines are not all too reliable, but we can communicate, most of the time. So growing has not stopped. Actually, in this time apart the need to work on it seems to feel stronger. What we're working continues in the same intensity, only not in each others presence, which makes it harder. We have to work our daily life apart too, but being apart makes you want to be together even more.

I make it sound as if life is heavy duty. It is not. It is amazingly beautiful. This love. The overall feeling is the bright flame in my heart, with the wonderful sense of faith and knowing. But this distance and the switching makes it so very intense. And with that, all happenings and steps have more impact then maybe in a more 'normal' situation.

I can not see why these periods apart on this distance should be necessary. This time i'm not trying very hard to embrace the pain. I'm sure there is a lesson in this; trust in the future, being patient, not controlling, have no fear, bla bla bla. But my focus is not on the future. I know that will all be good; sense of faith and knowing. My focus is on the now.

Maybe the lesson here is the use of the law of choices. This is our situation, choose how to deal with it, choose how to change it. The time apart is here, use this period to make sure it doesn't have to be repeated too many times. No need to keep circling in mid air, head for destination. Yay, i think i have figured it out! And it sounds very logical all of a sudden. Okay, now i'm starting to like learning again. Let's see if i can get a line with my love in Iran. Requesting, permission to land...

NL-Dian

First day back in NL: had my sandwich with raw herring, had my Special K with Belgian chocolate curls, had my salad with smoked salmon, had my cracker with jong belegen kaas...
My day is filled around food?? Seems like it. It's not that i have been starving in Iran, on the contrary (don't laugh Are). There's some 'too delicious' food there and i have been eating well ;-)
Glad to say that i did another typical NL-Dian thing today: A long walk on the beach keeping up with Nordic mama...

Evaluation

When i came to Iran a little more than five weeks ago, i felt it was, again, something new. I say 'again' because everything has been new since... well actually, everything always is new. Lets say that it felt as a new step in something that has been growing for a while.I was excited and confident, yet very much aware that it was going to be an intense time. Not only starting a life with Are, but also starting life in a new country.

When i left for Doha two years ago, it felt like an adventure, knowing that it was a temporary thing, that after a while i would be living in NL again. It went smoothly and i had a great time there.Coming to Iran, even though i only had visa for 45 days, knowing that i would have to go back to NL after that, it felt so much more definite.And it seemed to have two reasons.

Since i came back to NL last summer, i've grown so much closer to my friends and family. Not only did i spend more time withthe people i love, the people that mean so much to me. I feel that i have opened up more, that the connections were more deepened,that there was such wonderful sharing. It was beautiful. I feel that this time i was leaving so much more behind, or as Esther rephrased that 'that i'm taking more with me'.

The other reason is that i realised that Iran is the first stop in this new life. After Iran there will most likely be a new project for Are, in a new country, with a new culture, in which ever corner of the world. And start over again from scratch every time. Of course i will come back to NL, but not to live permanently, at least not within the coming few years. Sounds exciting, but it's not always easy.

Yes, it has been an intense time. I had to find my way in a new city, find my way in social life, fill in my days and start life with Are. I did my Reiki Master Practitioner course just before i left for Iran. I had to find my way in that new state of being too. The first few weeks i really needed the time to myself, and i had plenty of that. But now i'm starting to miss the personal contact, the personal interaction. Not only do i miss my friends and family, i haven't built a social life in Iran yet.

But it has mostly been wonderful. This time with Are, just be together, hanging out, going out. I've learned so much, not just from my study books. About myself, who i am, about life, about what i want, about Are, about us. Iran is an interesting country itself, even staying in, i have never had a boring day. I love being here, i've been working hard, enjoying even more. Yes, it's wonderful, life is wonderful.

Tonight i'm flying back to NL, fleeing Norooz, have a medical treatment, renew my visa, staying until after Easter. I'm so looking forward to see my friends again, being able to hang out, drink coffee (or hot water in my case), the long chats. My girls!

On the other hand, i ask myself if the timing is right. I've just come out of my cocooning period, should start to go out more and start create a social life if i want to be able to make it here. And i will miss Are very much. Is it good to be apart for a month when we are just starting? We're just setting a foundation, should we not build on it now? Is this the time to leave home? I wonder...

Pictures Yazd Trip

Na'in - Yazd - Fahraj - Meybod

album

If the answer is chocolate...

...we don't care about the question!

This is Death by Chocolate in Liquid

Norooz coming up

Sun, snow and rain have been taking turns during the last weeks in Tehran. I liked this change of weather. The Iranians, as i was told by our maid, are not happy right now with these changes every other day. Thoroug washing of carpets and curtains and hanging them out to dry. The period of Norooz is coming up, everything has to be spic and span.

Tehran is a very crowded city. People everywhere, traffic is horrific and pollution often blocks the amazing view you could have had from the mountains overlooking the city (no.3 in the world, right Melissa?). In the weeks before Norooz it is even worse, probably the most busy time in Tehran. Serious shopping for food, presents and fancy clothes are done in this period. Big business, bigger traffic, biggest pollution. Hang your carpets out to dry, if it's not rain messing things up, it will be smog.

Norooz is the feast of Iranian New Year, starting this year on March 17. It is celebrated for two weeks, where all Iranians have a long holiday. This is Iran's top touristic season, Iranian tourist only. Esfahan, Mashad, Shiraz, Yazd, the ski resorts, Kish and the towns on the Caspian coast are all packed. The only place that is deserted, is Tehran.

Unfortunately, Norooz doesn't come with any specific festivities, other than families gathering. Tehran will be boring, the office almost empty and it's not a fun period to travel through Iran. So, we are fleeing the country. Back to the Netherlands, Norway, maybe a city trip, Europe it is. But before we leave, we want to see more of Iran. In a few hours we're going on a road trip to Yazd, way ahead of the Norooz rush. Will report after the weekend...