Iran first hand Observation

About while ago I published first part of my journey when I first arrived in Iran about a year ago. So, now a little more of it...:)

Day 7
Tonight my Aunt (Khaleh) and her husband and two children visited me. My aunt’s husband suggested that I file an application to the company that he is working. I had to show up at his work place around 9:00 am.

Day 8
Woke up early around 6:00 am. Try to get ready for the interview. I arrived at the company site around 9:00 am. First went to see my aunt’s husband who was busy and directed me to human resources (Karkozini) department. There she was a woman who gave me an application to fill out. Apparently, I was told the application form was newly issued and needless to say many question were like what did you sibling do last night and most import of all what is your religion and what group do you belong to!!

I first saw a chief of Human resources who was big time bureaucrat. He was overlooking at my application without saying much or looking at me. He then expressed that there is no job in the company available. He went to the next page and noticed that I have written Canada in my application. All of the sudden things become about him and how he tried to get out of country in 1997. He started by explaining his life story and how he went to Spain to go to Canada but unfortunately authorities arrested the smuggler and so they decided not to proceed!!! And then he started talking about his son who is very much in love with robotics and mecharonics and is in fight with his father who say: “you should finish you industrial engineering degree then switch to mechanical engineering”. However, he wants to do this change without his permission!
Moving on, after a long day of interview and when they said they don’t need anyone. Around 3:30 pm they hired me! This was one of the longest job interviews I ever had in my entire lifetime in one day!!
Moving from different conversations that I had with a few engineers I found that these people use technology that belong to at least 25 years ago and try to do jobs that are considered modern and advanced in some extend.


Day 11
I went for another interview. This one was a friend of my father just want to evaluate my knowledge for job opening that may be available in the near future.
On my way back to house I got in on a taxi. Another woman passenger got on the taxi as well. The girl introduced herself as a student who is seeking money to pay off his rent debt for the time being. She stated that she is looking for about 45 thousand Toman. I was quite sad to see such scenery. She pulled out her student card and showed it to both of us, the driver and I. Finally when the driver told her he does not have the money and I couldn’t truly not speak! She offered herself for compensation of the money!!!! This moment was tremendously sad. I was speechless! I wasn’t there to judge her or say anything and I couldn’t say a word. She asked if we can’t do anything, diver should stop the car. And he did. It was one of the saddest moment of my life.

Tonight is 11 of September, anniversary of collapse of the twin buildings in NY City. I was passing from Mohseni (Mother’s) Square where people last year lit candle. The square was full of Police, Nirouhaye Entezami and plain cloths officer with walk-in-talky. They were standing everywhere trying to spread people from any such gatherings!
Tomorrow I am going to Mohammad Esfahani Concert. I got tickets via this person in German embassy.

Couple of observations:

Traffic in Tehran is terrible. Pollution is at a constant rate and is killing people without doubt! People are eager to blame someone. I went to ministry of research and science and development. Whomever I met was complaining about the government and how the higher level of government are stealing from Iran. There is big belief that this government is Arab driven. Many people believe that these people are Arabs who are making Iranians to suffer! (This is after talking to a few people on the streets and different ministries. Please do not criticize me because this is what I am told and I am only conveying it!)
People are quite angry at government at any level. There are two problems that people don’t do much, first people don’t see there is any alternative or a leader that they can trust. Second, people feel they have already paid so much for this revolution, so they are hardly ready to pay any other price(s).