Iran

“Why are you going to Iran? Isn’t it dangerous?” — I was often asked before travelling there. Iran might have a bad reputation around the world, but for travellers it’s one of the safest countries, home to the most welcoming people I’ve ever met. Once, while riding the metro in Tehran, a man sitting opposite handed me his phone. Confused, I answered — on the other end was his friend who spoke perfect English. He explained that his friend had overheard our destination and wanted to tell us to change trains because part of the line was closed. Since his English was limited, he called his friend to translate! The man then guided us to the correct platform, wasting twenty minutes of his time — all without us asking for help. Encounters like this happened daily; people went out of their way to assist, expecting nothing in return. Politics aside, Iran is a wonderful country filled with history, breathtaking mosques, buzzing bazaars, dramatic landscapes, and warm-hearted people. It’s a hidden gem few travellers truly know — I can’t wait to return.