It’s the deep kindness that comes to save you and lets you know that we can make our world a better place to live just by being kind to one another!
Soon after getting off the ferry ⛴ and clearing immigration, I rode into the city to find it deserted. It’s the Iranian New Year, and it’s a 13-day celebration. Most of the shops were closed. With no SIM and no Iranian rial, I was stuck and certainly didn’t want to leave Bandar Abbas. None of your Mastercard/Visa cards work due to heavy US sanctions.
Just as I was walking into a mall to enquire about money exchange, Amin and Milad, two Iranian friends returning from a hiking trip, approached me and asked about the tandem bicycle and the journey.
“You go my home. Eat lunch with family and stay. Lots of rain today and tomorrow,” Amin said in broken English. I asked if he was sure, and he had a huge grin on his face and said, “Yes!!”
Amin rode the bike with me while Milad took off to catch up with us later.
I have heard great stories of Iranian hospitality, but experiencing one soon after you step into the country?
The house was packed. All his family had come to celebrate the New Year together. They welcomed me with arms wide open.
Delicious Iranian food was served, and we all shared a meal like a happy family. Two of them spoke English, so I didn’t have to use Google Translate for the rest of the evening.
I went shopping with the family to get food for dinner. I surprised them all with some ice cream. They took me to the mountains in the evening for a camp cookout. Traditional Iranian food, followed by dancing to good Persian music under the stars.
We didn’t speak the same language, but the kindness this family showered on me made me realise the power of unexpected kindness and how we can make our world a better place to live just by being kind to one another!
It’s been raining with thunderstorms ⛈ all night and this morning. They are asking me to stay another day. Iranians have a saying that “a guest is a gift from God” and I’m being treated like one. I feel more blessed and gifted for their loving kindness and hospitality.
Can’t wait to see more unexpected kindness unfold in the next 18 days! Iran and its people are simply AMAZING!