Maḩalleh-ye ‘Alīābād

The green north of Iran includes the highest mountain range and the long coastline of the Caspian sea. Here is the place where the heat and air pollution stressed people from Teheran and the central Iranians flee in summer to breathe fresh air. What I didn't know and had to learn the first night is that the region is also stressed by constant earthquakes all over the year. I woke up because of guests slamming doors and leaving the hotel. I could feel the earth shaking.

I hitchhiked along the coast and met wonderful locals that don't exaggerate when they say they have the country's best climate, food and cookies.
Sitting on a bench I met Hamed and his young family. He showed me around how beautiful Lahijan and its tea plantations are. At the end of the day I was invited to a spa (men's only for sure) and to stay overnight at a friends place. The region around Rascht city is one of the most liberal parts of Iran, here the scarfs of the women sit a bit looser and people offer you their selfmade alcohol. Giving a TV interview on the street I was asked what I think about Iranian TV. Of course I couldn't tell them the truth ;)Read more