Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Most Iranians genuinely like Americans.
Many things I experienced in Iran fit the negative image that I'd seen back home. But
the more I traveled there, the more apparent it became that the standard, media-created
image of Iran in the USA was not the whole story. I simply couldn't reconcile the fear-
mongering and hate-filled billboards with the huge smiles and genuine hospitality we re-
ceived on the ground.
Ask anyone who has lived in a country where they disagree with the leaders:
Attention-grabbing bombast does not necessarily reflect the feelings of the man or woman
on the street. Throughout my visit, I kept thinking: Politicians come and go. The people
are here to stay.
Traffic is notorious in Tehran. Drivers may seem crazy, but I was impressed by their ex-
pertise at keeping things moving. At some major intersections, there were no lights—eight
lanes would come together at right angles, and everyone just shuffled through. The people
