Mashhad - University

Visit to Mashhad University: Saw my wife's old friends and professors.

Visit to Tomato and Fruit Processing Plant: Saw my wife's old friends and workmates. I was able to ask several questions of the company president and VP. They said the most common problem is lack of access to newer technology, therefore higher production cost which means higher prices and less ability to compete. This company exports a variety of juices and pastes to Europe.
Later, in contrast, I was with the former CEO of the above company who disagreed with the current president assessment. He said technology is not the biggest factor. In fact, increasing the technology at on facility would be cost prohibitive. He said the current owners have plenty of money to purchase newer technology if they wished. The fact is that they do not because they would not know how to manage such tools if they did. The easy way in Iran is to use cheap and abundant labor rather than to automate. I would have loved to continue this discussion in to areas of worker safety, but our time was brief.

Professional wedding photos: 14,000 miles for three more photos.

Visit to Zoohr Khoneh ("House of Power"): Participants wear special clothing and use ancient methods for physical and spiritual development. This means motivating music (drums and voice), floor exercise and mock spears, shields, weights. The most interesting object are weights the shape of bowling pins that are rhythmically rolled around the shoulder for arm, back and shoulder development. It is intended to depict life of the military or sports person of ancient times. "Ali" is a fabled sportsman and fighter and is honored in this facility. During the performance (there are seats for spectators around the octagonal ring), the participants honored us by bringing tea and singing a short prayer for our health, etc. I paid my respects at the end by greeting the leaders and drum players.

Dinner at ????: We met the parents of two of my wife's good friends (in Vancouver). The owner of the place was a very gregarious person resembling Jim Crochee. It appeared to be an Arab night out as there was a sea of black chador's in their completely-hidden style. I played pool with the owner and we shared strategy and rules between US and Iran - all without speaking each others language. Down to three balls, he scratched on the 8-ball, but in their rules, the game goes on. I missed the next shot and he sunk the 8 on the next and won. I am going back Friday to win back my money.
Our dinner hosts (my wife's friends parents) were well educated and poignant on issues of Iran. It was sad to hear them describe the current state of Iran. It was explained to me that "this is no longer their country". Not saying that the Shah's government was without fault (in fact it was very ruthless, murderous and corrupt), but the current government had ruined everything and brought corruption to every level. They could not count on police, local government, federal government, etc to be responsible for anything. Complete and forced mismanagement that trickles down to every level. The middle class, educated and professional, is forced to live as if overrun by the uneducated, pushed to the point of daily expression of agitation.

At this same dinner location I met the only other American I had seen so far. And he was a "real American". Straight from Minnesota, big as a house and wearing a Minnesota Vikings football hat, properly rounded like the pros. He and his Iranian wife float back and forth for work.