In the bus to Rasht, we were surrounded by a group of young guys, as it later came out they were cyclists going to a bycicle trip at the Caspian Sea region. They were so excited of having foreigners around, so they tried to gain our attention any way they could, also sharing food and tea with us that they had with them and eventually being bold enough to invite us to join their bon-fire somewhere near Rasht. Invitation even grew into begging, ("Please, please, come with us ! Just one night !").
Invitation was tempting, but our couchsurfing host was already expecting us in Rasht !
Setareh and Hady were already waiting for us in the bus station.
Setareh (left) and Hady (right)
We were driving to their home with a car. Hady did not talk any english, Setareh however talked for two persons. Suddenly many car front lights were coming towards us and the voice of cars blowing their horn was deafening.
Don't think that we turned into opposite direction of the highway !
We were going right, all the other cars were going wrong somehow!
Just like in an anecdote !
Setareh, her husband Hady and their two adult sons Ali and Erfan made us feel like at home and as part of their family.
Next day Setareh, Ali and Erfan took us to an amazing UNESCO protected Iranian historical village Masuleh. The buildings there have been built into the mountain and are interconnected - the roof of one house is a street or a courtyard of another house.
We were going up to the village slowly, admiring the view from each rooftop/courtyard, when suddenly a bearded guy with glasses, big smile and open arms appeared from somewhere, saying "he-he-he-hee".
Xavier !
What a wonderful coincidence to meet this shiny person again!
Ali, Branko, Xavier's host, Xavier, Kadri, Setareh, Erfan
Iranian people simply love to have picknics. Green grass of Iranian parks, sometimes even side of the roads, are always covered by different groups of people, coming with their carpets, waterpipes, even with tents to enjoy their meal in a greenery. So did we.
Short stop at Hady's sister place, afterwards going to sleep at Hady's fathers home.
Although Hady's father was quite sick and not able to communicate, the stay in the house was relaxed and funny.
And sleeping in iranian way - on the carpet!
Next morning our relative-visiting tour continued. At some point we felt like little puppies, that are being shown to each member of the big family to pat them and to see how cute they are.....
We were relaxing on the top of the hill, enjoying all kinds of fruits and watching clouds slowly slowly covering the village.
Short stop at Ramsar, Caspian sea coast...
...and our final destination was Setareh's sister's family, from where Setareh and her family turned back to Rasht after big dinner and we had a great chance to spend the night at the sister's place and leave for Tehran next morning.
No member of Setareh's sister's family spoke english, so it was a good chance to learn Persian together with all the family.
The husbend of the sister was a true fan of president Ahmadinejad (the only government-friendly iranan we met during all the month), even though all the family was mocking him and calling him Mr. President !
Mr President was nice though !
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