From Tabriz to Mianeh

Arpi — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 06:00:56 +0000

Leaving Tabriz, an incredible number of cars were coming [towards us].
We saw ice vendors along the road.
Later we traveled on a second rate road upward to 2120m.
From here we hurled downward for a short while and coasted to a lakeshore.
At a suitable spot we set up our tent and spent the night there.
In the morning animals went by us; a small boy about 10 years old, was their shephard.
Unfortunately we saw a ditch filled with plastic trash.
We met Wim van den Stok, who is cycling from Australia back o his home, the Netherlands.
When we stopped to have lunch in the early afternoon, a motorcycle band gathered around us at the restaurant located in the middle of the village. They were a happy bunch and were glad to see us.
We ate kebab.
They invited us for tea, and we met a lot of merry children and adults.
Here was the 4000 km elevation sign written also in farsi (Persian writing).
They escorted us to the main road with their motorcross bikes.
The valley where we were traveling remained beautiful.
We were wondering how was it that everything was green around us, but the slopes and mountainsides were dry and bare. Soon we realized that they were irrigating from wells.
Late in the afternoon we reached 4000 kms. Of course we celebrated, and Zita wound her black shawl around her just like a chador.

We met Mohsen, who 20 years ago cycled to Hungary.
This is the cycle that Mohsen used in 1991 to start off to Europe. He went there to preach peace.
Nice family; it was a pleasure to meet them; thanks for everything!!

Honeymoon Around the World » 4000km

From Tabriz to Mianeh