Rick concludes his trip with a family feast, gratifying visit to the ruins at Persepolis, and reaffirmation that understanding Iran’s proud history, r...
Iran Part 6: Historic Sites in the Countryside and Shiraz
Stark countryside mixes with fertile river valleys where remnants of the Silk Road reveal the value and fragility of Iran’s heritage. In Shiraz, spraw...
Iran Part 5: Esfahan's Martyr's Cemetery, Bazaar, and Riverbank
In Esfahan, families mourn loved ones in the Martyr’s Cemetery, the sprawling bazaar entices with things uniquely Persian flanking basics of daily liv...
Iran Part 4: Esfahan's Major Sites and Religious Significance
Esfahan — one of the finest cities in Islam and the cultural heart of Iran — is an ideal place to better understand the complexities of politics mixed...
Iran Part 3: Women's Issues, Wealthy Tehran, and Abyaneh
A mixture of modesty and vanity converge in Tehran, from the wealthy north end, to the cheap, colorful snack bars downtown. Miles away, in Iran's arid...
Iran Part 2: Modern History and Theocracy
With the Islamic Revolution came a revolution of values still evident in Tehran today. Billboards and murals mix religion and patriotism, advancing th...
Iran Part 1: Tehran and its People
In this first installment, Rick explores the youthful, noisy capital city of Tehran, delves into the country's long and tumultuous history, visits the...