http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=2899&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 2899 "Ladies and Gentlemen, in preparation for landing in Tehran, please make sure your seat backs, tray tables, and HEADSCARVES are in their upright and locked position." http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1634&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1634 Checked in to my hotel, the Englehab in Tehran to find in the nightstand everything one would need to convert to Islam -- a Holy Qur'an and a neatly folded prayer rug. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1638&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1638 View of Tehran from my balcony in the Englehab hotel -- must be fully dressed to step outside for a pic! http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1641&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1641 Even though hair must be covered by decree of Islamic law, hairpieces seem to still generate quite a business. Typically, the younger and more stylish the woman, the bigger the pony tail bulge under the "hejab," or headscarf. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1644&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1644 Pistachios are a chief export of Iran. I always wondered why they used to dye pistacio shells pink, but now I see the shell is encased in a pink casing when fresh from the tree. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1647&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1647 The Tehran bazaar is quite expansive, a labryinth of shops selling everything from kitchenware to underwear, http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1650&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1650 Some of the shops in the bazaar are quite elaborate, like this one which appears to sell antiques and chandlers. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1653&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1653 Iran is known for it's "Persian carpets." Unlike other countries known for their carpets such as Turkey and Morocco, there are no high pressure sales techniques to entice you into their shop to fly away on a magic Persian carpet. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1656&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1656 Carpets are "parked" everywhere in the bazaar. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1659&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1659 Many deliveries in the bazaar are made on motorcycle, such as this one, though you really have to look hard to find the bike! http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1662&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1662 The other delivery method is by cart, which can be quite dangerous if you don't get out of the way fast. I saw more than one Achilles be raked by these crazy cart drivers, especially during "rush hour" in a busy bazaar intersection such as this http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1665&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1665 Tehran at sunset. The northern end is the posh neighborhood resembling Manhattan or Embassy Row in DC, and the south end is the older, low rent district. Our hotel was somewhat in between. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1668&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1668 Pictures of the Supreme Leaders, past (Ayatollah Khomeini) and present (Ayatollah Ali Khamanei) reign down everywhere. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1671&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1671 Azadi Tower, translated to "Freedom Tower" originally built in 1971 to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian empire, it is more recently recognized as the center of protests following the June 12th hotly contested Presidential elect http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1674&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1674 Mt Damavand, not only Iran's highest peak, but at 15,000 feet, it is also the highest in the Middle East. A potentially active volcano. Taken from the window in flight from Tehran to Mashhad. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1677&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1677 Highway leads under the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad. The seven courtyards of the complex cover almost 4,000,000 sq ft and still expanding, soon to be the largest religious complex in the world. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1680&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1680 Since it is such a devoutly religious site, women are required to cover with the "chador," a thin black veil that covers everything but the face and hands. I must admit, it was somewhat intriguing wandering through the courtyards in the dramat http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1683&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1683 A few more of our group sporting the curiously fashionable chador. We were hamming it up for the cameras when these three older Iranian ladies showed up (center and rear) and wanted in on the action. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1686&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1686 Mashhad is considered the second most holy city in Islam, second only to Mecca. Twenty million Muslims make a pilgrimage to Imam Reza site each year. No photos inside the complex, so this is taken through an archway. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1689&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1689 The entrance to Mashhad's Grand Bazaar. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1692&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1692 Berberis, or "barberries," which taste like a very tart cranberry. Often sprinkled over rice served with roast chicken. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1698&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1698 If one is in the market for a nice silk scarf, Iran certainly has a broad selection. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1701&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1701 Apparently, a black chador is not just a black chador, as there are many styles and designs to choose from. Since hair should be covered, you gotta love the daring curls on the foreheads. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1704&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1704 A variety of legumes for sale in the Mashhad market. http://gallery.taketothehighway.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1707&g2_GALLERYSID=c997e401f539253be4c337cfe83d2998 1707 Here are the barberries both in the dried form, or straight from the shrub. This was a popular item in all the markets we visited throughout Iran.