DAY 59 - TEHRAN

59) THURSDAY, 25 AUGUST 1977 : 420KMS. - TEHRAN

We drove via QUOM on the same route and new route. It was not too hot today like on the other day.  We wanted to visit QUOM but it was not allowed for foreign tourists to visit the mosque, so  we continued to TEHRAN until dusk.

Quom mosque, where foreign tourists were not allowed to enter !

Quom carpet - Photo : shahzaad.wordpress / Google images search

Quom Golden Mosque - Photo : ajammc.files.wordpress / Google images search
  

DAY 58 - ISFAHAN

58) WEDNESDAY, 24 AUGUST 1977 : 0KMS. - ISFAHAN (ESFAHAN)

We went to post our slide films to be developed at the lab in Germany. They will be sent back to LEX (Marinsa)’s address to keep them for us. We also sent some postcards and letters to friends and family members.. 

Iranian handicrafts shop - Photo : fouman.com / wikipedia.org (Bing images search)

Afterwards, we visited shops for craft souvenirs..

Persian inlaid boxes - Photo : Bing images sdearch

Beautiful inlaid boxes - Photo : mypersiancorner.com / Google images search

Isfahan carpet  bazaar - Photo : wikipedia.org / Goog images search

Interesting YouTube video of ISFAHAN

DAY 57 - ISFAHAN

57) TUESDAY, 23 AUGUST 1977 : 0KMS. - ISFAHAN (ESFAHAN)

I got my tourist visa extension for  additional 15 days (up to 08.09. '77  at  the fee of 100.- Rials.

Naghshe Jahan Square - Photo : wikipedia.org / Google images search

In the afternoon, we looked for a hamam to take a bath  but we were disappointed as they did not accept foreign tourists. So we went to take a shower at  a Persian we just  knew, having met him by chance. His father was a police officer whose wife had 2 adjoining houses. 

We  were very well received with warm welcome. Despite we did not  talk to one another that much as the parents did not speak English, they  were very kind and  generous  to buy 3 kinds of melon, 3 different colors of green , orange and red as well as other fruits and fried curry chicken Persian style, and flat bread (naan)  - the same type we have seen in Turkey. They also made us a nice soup. I really appreciated  their kindness and hospitality. In return we gave 2 plastic footballs for their kids to play with.

DAY 56 - ISFAHAN

56) MONDAY, 22 AUGUST 1977 : 0KMS. - ISFAHAN (ESFAHAN)

Chacking out from camping place to park in the free area in front of the Shah's Mosque Square to revisit it again.

Shah Mosque, Isfahan - Photo : Bing images search

Shiek Lotfallah Mosque - Photo : wikitravel.org / Google images search
 

 

Isfahan Chehel Sotoon Palace - Photo : wikipedia.org /Google images search 

We went to look around the big bazaar.  I found very nice fine paintings called  miniatures.

Isfahan Bazaar - Photo : trekearth.com / Bing images seasrch

 

Iranian miniature - Photo : ebay.com / Bing images search

Miniature - Photo : sanat.orexca.com / Bing images search

There were also metal (brass ad copper )  plates with interesting patterned work.  Mostly, the workmanship was not so fine but the fine ones made by skilled handicrafts  are very nice and costly, which I did not think to buy.

Copper Plates - Photo : mostagalemalgerie.free.fr / Bing images search

Around the square area in front of  Shah's Mosque at night, there were  students studying  to prepare for their exams almost all night long. They took advantage of the light all around for reading.

 

Shah Jahan Square, Esfahan, Iran - Photo : Bing images search

Shah Jahan Square - Photo : andrewandnuala.wordpress / Bing images seasrch