Old stones are back on the programme today. In Susa, Gerd once again parks in the middle of the roundabout (this is really nothing new for us, I still hope that he remembers "our" rules and Switzerland when we get back), we pack our camera, shoulder our small rucksack and set off to explore the town.
Susa itself is said to be one of the oldest cities in the world. Over the centuries, Susa has served as the capital of various empires, including the Elamite Empire, the Achaemenid Empire and, to some extent, the Seleucid Empire. Archaeological finds from Susa, such as the famous stele with the Codex Hammurabi, one of the oldest known legal texts, and the magnificent palaces and temples bear witness to this importance.
Susa was also an important hub in the even more important Mesopotamia. It was probably this strategic location that made Susa so important.
Today, apart from the excavations, the old fort and a few small places of historical value, Susa is not really exciting. Like everywhere else: a noisy, dusty town with lots of food stalls that, like everywhere else in Iran, always offer the same thing. So 15 food stalls next to each other with one and the same offer. An exciting concept. We "Westerners" always think that variety and individuality are the secret of success.
We visit the museum, the castle, the archaeological sites and are repeatedly approached by people who want to get to know us. One of them is a teacher. The English is ok, but not really great. We only realise (too) late that they also want to hire themselves out as tourist guides. A bit unwise of them, as they have placed themselves at the end of our tour and we have actually been with the guide for two hours, Triptastic and my own internet research.
Well, that's probably the fate of all of us: marketing and positioning are not entirely unimportant, even in one of the oldest cities in the world.
And: we also feel a certain tiredness. Tired of the same old conversations and questions. Where are you from, where are you going, how expensive is your van, why don't you have children, oh, you do, oh, you're already married! (We're lying a bit here, because the discussion about unmarried adult, so-called marriageable children often goes in an undesirable direction. Namely, that we would never choose our children's partners and have full confidence that they will choose the right ones).
We are fully aware that we are such a rare species in this country that everyone thinks we shouldn't miss out on the opportunity. We fully realise that and we respect it. But every now and then we sense an imbalance to our energetic disadvantage.
Then we remain friendly, but more and more often firm. And the sentence that always helps and is immediately accepted is: "Could we have a little privacy? We would like to be alone / watch this alone".
Finally, we want to visit a shrine that looks very photogenic in the photos. However, Gerd (hihi) has too short trousers and too short sleeves this time. We are not allowed in. And in the heat, he probably doesn't feel like changing and walking there again.
I secretly have to smile, at least now he knows how I feel here all the time. I'm always dressed far too warmly and have to stick to some kind of dress code all the time. (How long did it actually take for me to stop conforming to the norm and wanting to please everyone and now I have to go back to square one, start all over again, learn once more that as a woman I am not entitled to my own opinion on clothes?)
At the end of our visit to Susa, we have a cup of tea in a small café and make our way to Andimeshk, as we have big plans for tomorrow.
Merci for "travelling with us
Our first lectures in Switzerland are planned. Others in Germany could follow. We'll see. We would love to take you into the Persian world somewhere in western Germany and also in the Berlin area. We are still looking for venues. If you know anything, please write to us.
Lecture & Persian tea time Camels, cultures & many contrasts Life-pure travelling with the camper through mysterious Persia
Two dates:21.06.24 or 28.06.24; 7 pm Muri/Bern 21 or 28 June 2024 - start 7 pm, doors open at 6:45 pm RoomZoom - Thunstrasse 162 - 3074 Muri b. Bern
We are happy about 20 CHF per person. Kids are free of charge.Please register by e-mail: andrea.kormann@dakor.ch
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