Persian Planning…
Posted by WynD on June 30, 2008
I am slowly starting to prepare for my August trip to Iran. The emails from the delegation organizer are steadily flowing and lots of new information is being learned. I’m still excited about the trip, but the limitations are becoming noticable to me. By that, I refer to things I am to be sensitive to regarding cultural differences. For instance, it was said not to bring any music by female musicians into the country, as it could be confiscated. So…not wanting my IPOD to get taken away, I have purchased a small $30 MP3 player and am, today, working on downloading some CD’s into it. I just can’t imagine being on the plane for 16ish hours, plus several hours of layovers without music. So far, musicians that have “made the cut” onto my player are: Taj Mahal, Jack Johnson, Ryan Adams, and REM. I also have to be weary of any reading material I bring with me, as pictures of half dressed women (i.e., women in underware, bathingsuits, hair showing, etc.) are banned. So….I’m bringing a Kate Chopin anthology and some puzzle books. 
Kiavash was nice enough to give me three scarves/shawls last weekend as a birthday gift, so I have the head wraps under control. However, I’m still on a clothing search. I had no idea how “immodest” American clothing is! That is, until I started searching for appropriately “modest” clothing to take to Iran. I have found two pair of cargo pants that fit nicely, aren’t too heavy, and aren’t too form fitting. However, I need one or two long sleeved shirts without scoopnecks or v-necks and which go down below my butt. I cannot find any to save my life! I’m thinking I’m going to just get a men’s shirt at Target. I’ll wear a tank/tee under it and put it on when arriving in Iranian airspace. Once we arrive, the women will have an opportunity to buy an appropriate manteau to wear during the duration of the trip, with tanks/tees underneath.
Did you know that men don’t typically shake hands with women in Iran? It has been explained that we are not to reach out to do so, just wait and follow the man’s lead regarding such a greeting. Also, as a woman, interacting with Iranian women is permitted. However, interacting with Iranian men is not acceptable…again, follow the mans lead. My Iranian friends say these “rules” are not necessiarly enforced or as stringent as they are being made to seem; however, I plan to follow them so as not to create any undue difficulty for myself.
Facebook has been a remarkable way to meet new Persian friends. I’ve met a lovely woman who teaches English in Isfahan and a young man from Tehran. In addition, I have a myspace/facebook friend, Michelle, who is currently biking through Iran for the summer. Hopefully, I will be able to meet face-to-face with all these friends while there. Not to mention, several of my Persian American friends here in the States have family still in Iran, so I may be able to spend some time with them as well.
Yesterday I spent a great deal of time preparing a Press Release and organizing a list of newspapers to which to send it. I have a list of about 25 papers/websites that I plan to alert to the trip. I may scale that list down a bit! I am supposed to also release information to local news stations and radio, but I’m not too comfortable being on TV/radio (where I can’t edit myself), so I may forego that route.
