This writing was first send to my friends by me about couple of months ago whom were interested to know somemore about current Iran. This was first appeared when I first arrived in Tehran after being away for quite sometimes. I will republish this in this weblog of mine so, people have a little corner of perception of has is going on in Tehran from my view point.

Day One
I finally arrived in Mehraab airport 21 hours after my departure from Toronto. Before arriving in Tehran airport what strike me was the fact to see many Arabs on the plane and after arriving in Tehran in the airport. Moving on, I got out of passport controlling area without any problem since 4 years had past since my last visit to Tehran. I really didn’t sleep as I had jet lag and was quite excited.

Day Two
Did not much just spend at home hosting a few relatives who wished to say hi!

Day Three
I finally went to the city. Destination was airport custom in 2 Km of Karaj highway as I had send my belonging via fret to Tehran rather than transporting them with me. There it was Tehran city of smog and pollution. Drivers a little respect for the driving rules and by laws not to mention roads are at poor conditions. The process of taking in my luggage took about 2 hours but I learn a lot in this encounter.
I saw how people bribe government employees by just simply slipping a bill on his desk or in his packet! Bribery is fact of the life and it is something employees directly require you to compensate them for!!
There is huge bureaucracy where it only requires just a few data entry in the computer. There are many employees who are there almost for no particular reason however, you as a customer should collect their signatures!! Actually, I am quite serious: because only at two levels I saw somebody enter something to the computer the rest was just, have this gentleman sign your paper for sake of signing it!!!
Another interesting observation is to my surprise people seems to enjoy this mix bureaucracy and they usually extend it. While I was working to obtain a license to collect my luggage, I had to go to the area where the license or “Pate” has they put it to be issued. While standing by the counter, a guy just asked me did you make a copy of this and that. I replied: No! he said then you should go and make three otherwise you are in big doo doo!! To my and him surprise I didn’t copy any paper and I finished everything in 2 hours (Trust me this is quite fast)!!

Day Four
I started the day by walking to Mehdane Tajrish around 7:30 am. First I realized it is too early for shops to be open! I walked all around the Meydane tajrish and Maghsoud Bayk area where meyti jan once said. Around Astara Cinema! From Coal (Zoghali) Street to Baghe Feredos and Sada Abbad! Finally stores opened and I learned that in Tajrish we know have many many many computer stores. I can probably claim half of the stores are now computer and CD related! I forgot to mention that while I was walking towards Baghe Fredos area I saw a placards on the wall advertising for “MELI Iran Philharmonics Orchestra (Orcest-e melli Iran) in Bashghah-e Enghelab for tonight. So, I wasted no time to collect tickets.
The night was tremendously extra ordinary despite some mismanagement. To mention were lack of garbage bin in entire open area (we were sitting in the open area) for about 2500 people!! Or some lack of coordination to start the program on time! All and all about 12 pieces were played by Mr. Farhad Fakhredini as a conductor of the orchestra. They were so beautiful that I wish every one of you were there and could experience it with me.
In the end, people stand up and applauded him for his effort. He came back and played two songs. The first one was Ey Iran, the work of Mr. Hossein Gole golab. In the end of the song he turned his back to audience and started to conduct the audience to encourage them to sing along and people did while all standing!

Indeed, I went to an interview which was quite interesting. I came across an advertisement in HAMshahry newspaper in which they were indicating that looking for a mechanical engineer. before I get to the details of my interview, I should mention about some ads in Hamshahry. There are quite a few ads that to my surprise they say: looking for a FEMALE mechanical engineer! or FEMALE architecture. it made me wonder becasue the ads seemed quite sexist to my point of view!!
moving on, I called the mechanical firm and I was told I should directly go and see them! instead of sending my resume!
I finally arrived. I was given an application to fill out. I had hard time to answer many questions. so, I was told I should wait to be interviewed!
first I learned I lack many technical words in Persian. A few to name:
Milling machine: FEREZ
Leath machine: Machine Trash
Granding machine : Machine Sangi
milling machine no backlash: Frez-e morghak, ya known az Morghak!!!
In any case, after about 1.5 hours of interview, I was told becasue I am not so much familiar with Persian expressions I should learn about them and then look for a job, later!
I asked them about the type of the work they do! Interesting enough, I was told they buy a part do reverse engineering and then sell it to local or neighbors market! they go as far as even violating patent laws. for instance, they had bought a German pump, previously. They had it disassembled and had all the parts re-produced. then according to the guy, they re-sell the pump in Iran under their own company's name. However, a sole reprehensive of that German company in Iran had encouraged this company to use Geramn label and resell the pumps to Azarbayjan and other new neighbours of Iran as a German Pump!!!!!!!!!!!! As easy as I am telling you!!!
I found it quite interesting and they do that without hiding it or even feeling there is any problem with it!!!!!


Couple of observations:

The ambient of the Tehran seems quite all right. One interesting thing I have seen is that lots of girls walk hand in hand! Overall, I think there are lots of problems in today’s Iran but people are avoiding any revolutionary thing. They try to culturally make any changes rather than utilizing any kind of force. I haven’t really noticed many prostitutes. I have seen lots of girls with colorful veil. Of course, this doesn’t mean they are not around, however, I suspect that they operate from their cars!!
I noticed if you respect people and even drive with respect, many fellow Iranians would respect you as well.
Pollution in my opinion is the worst element of all in Tehran. Another sad thing is that many Shemiran Baghs are or have already been turned to high rises. These high-rises are erected anywhere in Shemroon where there is no real services. Or streets are so small that a car hardly can pass by. Imagine if there are 20 or more cars around that street with 5-meter width.

Many people but not all tend to ignore the signs and news that are flowing from every corner. For instance, Dr. Mohammad Reza Khatami has recently written a letter to Mr. Asgaroladi. I doubt it if many Tehranis have even seen it. Or there is almost every night a concert or theater around the town. But many say have never heard of it. I feel people are waiting for a new force to appear or they really don’t intend to pay any price.
The most common activity for young Tehrani is window-shopping. And watching the opposite sex walk!! (Makes me wonder, too).