The Visa Expedition

So last week I went to the Iranian Consulate to collect my visa...I had called and asked questions several times, but as it is in Dubai, and no one mentioned it, I did not take something to cover my hair. I know I should have known better...

I was greeted with a "what are YOU doing here?" look and politely told, in broken English, I could not enter, as the guy behind the desk pointed to a sign next to him explaining the dress code....I needed to ask some questions, and when I said I was an American, and going as a guest to the Film Festival, the guy got very excited and put me on the phone with someone who spoke perfect English and was very helpful and polite.

Before I left, the gentleman smiled and waved his hands over his head saying "OK, now you come back!"

So I called again this morning...and while on hold the music was from the film "The Sting"...love it! Tomorrow I go and try again to get that visa...and am taking a scarf!

Stage 1 of the trip to Iran....

I Must Go Down to the Sea Again...

One of my favorite poems about traveling. One of the things I like about the sea is where ever you go, it looks the same, more or less. There is a certain familiarity in that, be it LA, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, Marbella, and soon, Iran, you walk on the beach and feel a sense of comfort.

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

John Masefield

Visa approved!

Just got word that my visa is here! I have to go to Dubai to pick it up and it looks like the trip will be around August 20. This way, I stay 2 weeks and can go to the Film festival there. The first week looks like a roadtrip around Iran meeting new people.