|
Post by htmb on Nov 9, 2013 17:07:06 GMT
Questa, I continue to find your report fascinating. Reading it has been quite an enriching experience.
In your pictures I find I'm beginning to recognize many of the same people. What was the size of your group? Did you have both a driver and a guide?
|
|
|
Post by lugg on Nov 9, 2013 17:14:57 GMT
Just spent some very pleasurable time catching up with your latest additions Questa. Such an amazing country depicted so well by your photos and commentary.
|
|
|
Post by questa on Nov 9, 2013 23:51:21 GMT
htmb...there were 10 travellers, 8 with spouses and another woman and I shared a room. I have kept in touch with her and one of the couples. We had a full time guide, Mohsen, who was just finishing his Law degree, and a driver who was terrific looking after us all.
Mohsen always wore a green "official" shirt and managed to get into nearly all my pictures. Tariq wore full chauffeur's uniform and is seen less often.
We women wore the same headscarves and over blouses each day and it didn't take long for us to recognise each other easily.
|
|
|
Post by questa on Nov 10, 2013 0:34:49 GMT
|
|
|
Post by questa on Nov 10, 2013 23:48:31 GMT
|
|
|
Post by questa on Nov 12, 2013 4:10:34 GMT
|
|
|
Post by bjd on Nov 12, 2013 8:14:03 GMT
All the artwork and decoration is impressive, but I enjoy seeing the photos of people and places more -- like the kids in the fountain pool.
|
|
|
Post by questa on Nov 12, 2013 11:09:45 GMT
bjd...they were fun! They didn't bother if their shoes or clothes got wet.
There are a few more people pics later, but this square goes on to be a feast for the tile lovers!
Also a brick masterpiece for Mossie.
I felt a bit cautious taking photos of the general public on their vacation. They are not used to snap-happy tourists pointing cameras at them and I didn't want to cause any tension.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2013 12:32:44 GMT
Still enjoying this thread very much, questa. It's certainly opened my eyes Iran and the way of life there.
|
|
|
Post by questa on Nov 12, 2013 22:31:31 GMT
Thanks, Deyana. I am now appreciating the work you put into your photo-journey!
|
|
|
Post by questa on Nov 12, 2013 23:35:35 GMT
The Shah Mosque known as Imam mosque (after the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran) is a mosque in Isfahan, Iran, standing in south side of Naghsh-i Jahan Square. It is an excellent example of Islamic architecture of Iran, and regarded as one of the masterpieces of Persian Architecture. Its construction began in 1611, and its splendor is mainly due to the beauty of its seven-colour mosaic tiles and calligraphic inscriptions. The Imam Mosque is a huge structure, said to contain 18 million bricks and 475,000 tiles A renaissance in Persian dome building was initiated by the Safavids. The distinct feature of Persian domes, which separates them from those domes created in the Christian world or the Ottoman and Mughal empires, was the colorful tiles, with which they covered the exterior of their domes, as they would on the interior. These domes soon numbered dozens in Isfahan, and the distinct, blue-colored shape would dominate the skyline of the city. Reaching 53 meters in height, the dome of this mosque would become the tallest in the city when it was finished in 1629. It was built as a double-shelled dome, with 14 meters spanning between the two layers, and resting on an octagonal dome chamber.It is all made of those skinny little bricks. There was a big restoration going on and much was out of bounds Brick dome as well. Part of the repairs was to actually cover the original damaged parts with new brick walls. They are leaving areas where you can see the original work. Being Friday, they were getting ready for prayer time. Well, some of them were! The modern extension goes out towards the back of the mosque
|
|
|
Post by bjd on Nov 13, 2013 9:30:24 GMT
Beautiful blues and greens!
|
|
|
Post by questa on Nov 13, 2013 11:39:16 GMT
Travellers on the Silk Road reported that when they looked down on the city from nearby hills, the many tiled domes made it look like "handfuls of turquoises scattered on a carpet."
What a lovely comparison.
|
|
|
Post by questa on Nov 14, 2013 23:48:30 GMT
|
|
|
Post by questa on Nov 19, 2013 9:48:28 GMT
|
|
|
Post by bjd on Nov 19, 2013 9:58:42 GMT
One more preconceived idea about Iran being broken down. Not all the women are wearing chadors! It looks like a nice village there. I looked on the map and it seems to be in a hilly area?
Your picture of the young man in the striped gown made me do a double take. I thought he had two right arms! Looking more closely, there is a person just behind him. ;D
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2013 17:12:35 GMT
Like the dresses that the ladies are wearing. Would it not be too hot for those kind of clothes though?
Interesting about the two type of door knockers. Not a bad idea that.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2013 18:36:25 GMT
Questa, your photo posts have been so magnificently prolific that it has been difficult for me, not to keep looking at them but to comment adequately at each new wonder. The tiles in that city are positively astounding and I can readily imagine that seeing it all from afar made people think of jewels.
Do you have any idea if the tile factories are still in operation? I can't imagine that the tiles have gone out of fashion, so there must still be a demand for them, no?
The uniform ocre of the last town definitely proves that one dominant colour can be beautiful in the right place, and I can only imagine the horrible shock if somebody painted their house blue or green. The local clothing is pretty amazing, but not all that different from the riotous colours used in veils in the Maghrebi countries or the Islamic bit of sub-Saharan Africa. What gets me (and probably all of us here) are those places that seem to think that veils should be black. What a horrible outlook on life!
|
|
|
Post by htmb on Nov 22, 2013 3:30:48 GMT
Questa, your marvelous photographs and narrative require a return to your posts again and again. There's so much to see that it's hard to take it all in at one time. I love the most recent photos of the tiled buildings, as well as the fascinating clothing. Your thread is a perfect addition to AnyPort, that's for sure!
|
|
|
Post by questa on Nov 22, 2013 4:37:26 GMT
htmb........ Thank you very much. Getting to the end of the trip now, just brief looks at the people and places. I have kept one tiled place to finish on. My photobucket nearly runneth over!
|
|
|
Post by questa on Nov 23, 2013 1:43:49 GMT
|
|
|
Post by questa on Nov 23, 2013 2:17:22 GMT
|
|
|
Post by questa on Nov 23, 2013 3:39:17 GMT
|
|
|
Post by bjd on Nov 23, 2013 8:42:21 GMT
Seeing those ceramics and gardens, I understand why Kashan carpets are so detailed and fancy. I also wonder whether the carpets are made with a lot of colour to compensate for the dust-coloured countryside.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2013 17:39:52 GMT
I am reminded of some of the interviews of young people attending the World Youth Days when they were held in Paris during the reign of John Paul II. Some of them admitted that they were from such strictly religious families that an event like that was their only way to 'escape' for a few days and have some real fun since their parents would not ever approve any sort of independent trip that was not within an official religious framework.
The landscapes, tiles, architecture are as amazing as ever. I am sure you already mentioned it somewhere, but how many days did this incredible trip last? You seem to have seen to many different places.
|
|
|
Post by questa on Nov 24, 2013 0:22:08 GMT
|
|
|
Post by questa on Nov 24, 2013 0:48:19 GMT
The Tour was with Peregrine Adventure Travel. It lasted 16 nights, but I always arrive 2 or so days early and stay a bit after the tour finishes, just to 'do my own thing'. There were long spells of driving, but the roads were excellent and the minibus was new and cool, so the distances weren't tiring.
|
|
|
Post by bjd on Nov 24, 2013 6:53:32 GMT
It sounds and looks as though you had a great holiday. Nice to end on a get-together with the students.
|
|
|
Post by mossie on Nov 24, 2013 10:15:36 GMT
You certainly get around, thanks for bringing us more of the beautiful tiles and buildings. the views from your hotel over the rooves showed both old fashioned and modern forms of air conditioning. Your meeting with the students also showed that very strange mixture of ancient and modern, from the girls dresses to their obvious intelligence and friendliness.
|
|
|
Post by questa on Nov 25, 2013 10:39:29 GMT
|
|