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East of Kurdistan
  • Śakur
June 2025

East of Kurdistan

A 7-day adventure by Śakur Read more
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  • Trip start
    June 8, 2025
    ŚakurTravelerEast of Kurdistan

    Setting off and crossing the border

    June 8 in Iran ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    On the last night before leaving south of Kurdistan to east of Kurdistan, I gathered with my friends to enjoy the night and have some conversations.
    When I got back home to pack my stuffs, I realized I had little time since I was going to wake up at sunrise which was only 5 hours away. I slept and then a call rang, I picked it up and it was my friend who were visiting Erbil and they couldn't find a hotel to stay for a good price, I helped him to find a good one. It was only one hour away from the due time to leave home. We set off along with my uncle, cousin, and his father in law. We made it to the border and the border crossing was smooth like always. When I cleared the immigration, I bought a Sim to have access to the internet and be connected. Later we made it to Marivan and we toured a little before having breakfast in a local teahouse.
    Then we went to explore the rural area of zrebar lake where we enjoyed having a look at the ciconia living right in the village. It was such a nice experience to see ciconia that close from human.
    Lastly, we had lunch, the best dish, grilled salmon. After lunch my uncle and my cousin took me to the garage where I hopped on the car to Saqz, a city before my last destination for the day, Bukan. Once I arrived in Saqz, I had to wait for almost an hour for the car to get filled. The driver told me his story of being addicted to drugs due to his health issues he had. He said it was much easier to stop taking drugs than to stop smoking!
    Finally I made it to Bukan and I contacted my host, Milad, such a lovely Kurdish guy. He picked me up right where I hopped off. Then we headed towards the Nallashken hill to where Hasan zirak sang on it. We enjoyed the nice view of the city from there. With his friends we spent a lovely evening in a café talking about many things, from cultures and to history.
    Later on, we had dinner with Milad, he prepared a delicious omelet, with insightful conversation, we ended the night.    Read more

  • ŚakurTravelerEast of Kurdistan

    Visiting the epitome of Kurdish music

    June 9 in Iran ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    After spending the night at milad's house, and sleeping well for the day, I woke up and started my day. We went to Hasan Zirak's tomb, the father of classical Kurdish music. After spending some times reminiscing about his masterpiece, we continued our day by going back to the caffe and have some chats.
    Later on, we had lunch with the milad. Then we were tired and slept until the evening.
    Then we made it back to the city and toured a little bit and chatting about the city and its traditions.    Read more

  • ŚakurTravelerEast of Kurdistan

    Qazî's offspring

    June 10 in Iran ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    The next day, I woke up early and packed my stuffs before saying good bye to Milad, my host.
    I gave him a small gift, a watch and also a kenyan coin.
    Then I took a taxi to the main garage, after waiting for a while, the taxi got filled up and departed.
    I made it to Mahabad as early as noon. I had breakfast before going to the downtown.
    After I arrived, I started vlogging a bit. Exploring the market and talking to the locals.
    I got to visit Qazî Mohammed tomb, unfortunately it was closed for visitors, I met some people from sulaymaniah as well there, they were coming to visit him too.
    I tried some local things like ice cream and juice.
    Mahabad was very green and you could see trees everywhere.
    I left the city in the afternoon towards urmia.    Read more

  • ŚakurTravelerEast of Kurdistan

    The nicest city

    Jun 10–12 in Iran ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Later one that day, I left Mahabad to Urmia, my favorite city of the trip. I contacted my host, Sonia, she was busy with a course, so I had to explore on my own. I arrived in the city and went to the downtown, the weather was absolutely perfect, chilly and a bit drizzling. I spent the evening exploring the market and enjoying the vibes. I was too hungry that I couldn't find a place to eat. I finally found a stall where I had a local food (potato and eggs). Then Sonia came and we went out to see the night life of urmia. We started by having a special tea. Then had great conversations. She invited me for dinner, so I couldn't reject it, although it was meat (I don't eat meat 🥩), so I had to force myself to eat it and imply that I like it, I hated it though. She realized I haven't eaten it all, thus aksed if I liked it, I replied it was good but I was full. Hereafter she finished it. We went to a park after that, it was quite nice, there were people hanging out and enjoying their night. I had some pics there. After that, she called her friend to come and pick us up. Her friend came and drove us to the mountains where we enjoyed the nice and breathtaking view of the city. We even explored a couple of churches nearby.
    Then we went back to sleep. I wake up early the next morning and Sonia already left for work, so I couldn't say goodbye, I left her a gift 🎁, later she found it and thanked me.
    That day I recorded some clips and explored the markets on my own. I visited a museum where I saw so many great artifacts and cultural insights.
    I had the pleasure to be hosted by Tîrêj, and nice Kurdish guy alongside with his wife Awin. We had dinner and talked all the night and had great insights together.    Read more

  • ŚakurTravelerEast of Kurdistan

    Azerî's biggest city

    June 13 in Iran ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Tîrêj who hosted me for the night, offered me to go and explore the rural areas of the city since he had to go with some people to have a look at some farms. Unfortunately due to my tight schedule, I couldn't accept his offer.
    He got my a snap ride to the terminal. I'm sure he paid online already, however when I got to the terminal, the driver insisted he has not been paid, so I paid him too. Sometimes you just get scammed like that! 😁
    I went to the main office and bought the ticket to tabriz. The way to tabriz was breathtaking since the route was going through the urmia lake, which is one of the most beautiful lake in the world. After I arrived in the city, I grabbed a ride to the city center, I pretended that I am from Spain to the taxi driver and he was so surprised, he even asked for my number, he was nice enough not to accept my payment. Such a nice gesture.
    I toured the market and enjoy taking to the locals and drinking local mysteries things. I visited some museums in Tabriz and even got to see old maps of the different civilization and there were Kurdistan map among them.
    I walked tens of kilometers to my host's house in the north of the city. My host, Aydin, he was very kind and knowledgeable. He treated me well.
    We got to talk about Kurdish and Turkish people, he had a different perspective towards racism.
    I spent that night chatting and enjoying the different cultures.    Read more

    Trip end
    June 14, 2025
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