Our last day in Iran and we have lost the will to live in this polluted, dirty, noisy city. The girls can't wait to get out of the country and I plan the ritual burning of all clothing and headscarves which will remind me of the oppression I had not really felt until freedom of choice was just in front of me. In the end, though, I offer my bonnets and clothing to the cleaner, and then am shamed and embarrassed at her overwhelming gratitude.
Most of the group have planned to spend the day relaxing and reading in the sanctimony of the hotel but Amanda had discovered the Museum of Contemporary Art during her few days alone in Tehran and I am desperate to do something, anything, cultural, and get some exercise after days on the bus.
We stretch our legs on the half hour walk through the streets and park to the gallery. Inside is an oasis of calm and cool. There are examples of art from many famous artists, sculptors, not all of it contemporary and certainly nothing recent. However, there is a Picasso, a Monet, a Manet, some Hockneys, Henry Moore, Toulouse Lautrec and many others to occupy the eye and the mind for a couple of hours. Nothing is a great example of the artist's work and none of it is particularly well presented but I relax as I wander round. There is even a coffee shop at the end. I spy chocolate cake and strawberry milk shake. I cut the huge slice of cake into small slices and offer it and my shake to the others to try. I couldn't possibly eat such a huge slice on my own. They all demur but 30 seconds later David changes his mind. Oops. All that is left is an empty glass and a small scattering of dark crumbs. Snooze, you lose, but if you're ever in the area, I can recommend the choc cake and shake.
Then it's back to the hotel for yet another shower before we dive on the bus and head for the airport and exit. Mahan Air looks after us well during the flight but we are all shocked when the stewardess announces that ladies should retain head covering for the flight. Too late. Mine is already off and the locks are loose. A few of the others replace theirs but I am resolute (again!).
After dinner, I disappear to the back of the plane where there is enough room to stretch out over the 4 centre seats and rest my eyes. It will be the early hours of the morning when we land in Amritsar.
Most of the group have planned to spend the day relaxing and reading in the sanctimony of the hotel but Amanda had discovered the Museum of Contemporary Art during her few days alone in Tehran and I am desperate to do something, anything, cultural, and get some exercise after days on the bus.
We stretch our legs on the half hour walk through the streets and park to the gallery. Inside is an oasis of calm and cool. There are examples of art from many famous artists, sculptors, not all of it contemporary and certainly nothing recent. However, there is a Picasso, a Monet, a Manet, some Hockneys, Henry Moore, Toulouse Lautrec and many others to occupy the eye and the mind for a couple of hours. Nothing is a great example of the artist's work and none of it is particularly well presented but I relax as I wander round. There is even a coffee shop at the end. I spy chocolate cake and strawberry milk shake. I cut the huge slice of cake into small slices and offer it and my shake to the others to try. I couldn't possibly eat such a huge slice on my own. They all demur but 30 seconds later David changes his mind. Oops. All that is left is an empty glass and a small scattering of dark crumbs. Snooze, you lose, but if you're ever in the area, I can recommend the choc cake and shake.
Then it's back to the hotel for yet another shower before we dive on the bus and head for the airport and exit. Mahan Air looks after us well during the flight but we are all shocked when the stewardess announces that ladies should retain head covering for the flight. Too late. Mine is already off and the locks are loose. A few of the others replace theirs but I am resolute (again!).
After dinner, I disappear to the back of the plane where there is enough room to stretch out over the 4 centre seats and rest my eyes. It will be the early hours of the morning when we land in Amritsar.
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