I am losing my marbles on this rally. Charger found!
I still have to tell you about the dinner on the last night in Iran. We were collected in a fleet of vintage cars and taken off into town. We were disgorged out side a large auditorium and ushered into our seats having been given a carton of orange juice. It's a pity that it wasn't a large g & t with what came next. It might have made it more bearable; well, maybe not. They weren't really ready for us. Banners were still being erected, balloon garlands stuck in place and general disorganisation ruled. There was a stage, with a lectern; an ominous sign.
Various people were rushing around seemingly doing nothing but rush and look important. We were told that there would be a short ceremony and then we would be served with a banquet. We waited and waited and wished that we were back at our hotel having a quick supper and going to bed as, with a border crossing and very long drive afterwards it was going to be a very long day. We were also starving as we had not had any lunch and only had had a quick breakfast at 5.30am.
During the wait we were shown a slide show of our cars as they arrived in the city followed by a show of the wonders of Tabriz and Azerbaijan Province. Then came a strange video of a young boy singing a song about saving the world and peace. A big contingent of men walked in, importantly, and all the officials stood and clapped. So, we did the same. A real live man then went to the lectern and very nervously started fiddling around and eventually started singing a song about goodness knows what. It may have been from the Koran, I don't know.
There then followed an interminable number of speeches; everybody thanking everyone else and all saying, through translator's 'we know you are tired and so we will be quick'. The Vice- President obviously had bigger fish to fry and we were told that he was in a cabinet meeting. Instead we got the Minister for Physical Education, the Governor of the province and various others. I know not who they were. Absolutely excruciating. It was all being filmed and the whole rally has been covered extensively in the Iranian press and on television. It felt very distasteful being used for such blatant propaganda.
We were then ushered out for our dinner. We were hoping for a quick buffet and out . But, no. We were taken to a very large brightly light room full of tables laid for dinner. My heart sank. It was to be waiter service. Enough said. We waited for a bit, had some salad and then a few of us ran away and found a taxi. I felt grubby.
Great night!
I still have to tell you about the dinner on the last night in Iran. We were collected in a fleet of vintage cars and taken off into town. We were disgorged out side a large auditorium and ushered into our seats having been given a carton of orange juice. It's a pity that it wasn't a large g & t with what came next. It might have made it more bearable; well, maybe not. They weren't really ready for us. Banners were still being erected, balloon garlands stuck in place and general disorganisation ruled. There was a stage, with a lectern; an ominous sign.
Various people were rushing around seemingly doing nothing but rush and look important. We were told that there would be a short ceremony and then we would be served with a banquet. We waited and waited and wished that we were back at our hotel having a quick supper and going to bed as, with a border crossing and very long drive afterwards it was going to be a very long day. We were also starving as we had not had any lunch and only had had a quick breakfast at 5.30am.
During the wait we were shown a slide show of our cars as they arrived in the city followed by a show of the wonders of Tabriz and Azerbaijan Province. Then came a strange video of a young boy singing a song about saving the world and peace. A big contingent of men walked in, importantly, and all the officials stood and clapped. So, we did the same. A real live man then went to the lectern and very nervously started fiddling around and eventually started singing a song about goodness knows what. It may have been from the Koran, I don't know.
There then followed an interminable number of speeches; everybody thanking everyone else and all saying, through translator's 'we know you are tired and so we will be quick'. The Vice- President obviously had bigger fish to fry and we were told that he was in a cabinet meeting. Instead we got the Minister for Physical Education, the Governor of the province and various others. I know not who they were. Absolutely excruciating. It was all being filmed and the whole rally has been covered extensively in the Iranian press and on television. It felt very distasteful being used for such blatant propaganda.
We were then ushered out for our dinner. We were hoping for a quick buffet and out . But, no. We were taken to a very large brightly light room full of tables laid for dinner. My heart sank. It was to be waiter service. Enough said. We waited for a bit, had some salad and then a few of us ran away and found a taxi. I felt grubby.
Great night!
I know this dinner must have been beyond painful but you write very well about it, it makes great reading, as does the rest of the blog. Your photos are fabulous, worthy of Sunday Times supplements at the very least. Hope the car and yourselves stay well and happy on your continuing journey.
ReplyDeleteSam, Alst, Alfie & Flo x