Pink Floyd Fans in Iran

by Adrienne Wilson on

These days I feel as if I’m obsessing over any and every travel tale coming out of Iran. Until I get there on my own, I’ll envy everyone who goes and comes back to share their experiences with me. I want to see it for my own, walk it on my own, breathe it on my own and hear Pink Floyd fans in Isfahan recite lyrics on my own…. Sigh.

In the latest issue of Perceptive Travel, Roy MacLean recounts one of his stops during his retracing of the Asia Overland “hippie trail” that was popular with Westerners in the 60’s & 70’s. Roy talks about times when English girls could hitchhike alone across Iran and when free-spirited teens from Berlin and Boston were both welcomed on Baghdad. The times have changed, but Pink Floyd obviously still remains. As the author tries to find the moment of ‘rare absolute peace’ as described by travel writer Robert Byron he is distracted by young Iranian Pink Floyd fans. They go on and on reciting lyrics from Dark Side of the Moon and question their new Western friend on some of the albums tracks. Although Roy makes his own suggestion, no one sounds very sure and just as soon as the young men had come they were off again.

Oh, to have been Roy on this day or even a fly on the wall, or maybe when I go I’ll run into some Bob Marley fans. I’d love to sit and chat about the Marley man in Iran.

Word for the Travel Wise (11/23/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on


Today marks the day of my all-time favorite holiday where year-long stories are exchanged with family and friends over warm plates of turkey, ham, stuffing, and veggies. As people from all corners of the country either relax in the comfort of their own homes or dine out at some fabulous restaurant there will be many toasts, cheers and wishes for good-health over their good meal. It is for this very occasion that I pass this small fruit of knowledge your way to whoever may be reading at this hour.

Today I leave you with various ways to say Bon appetit!

  • Croatian – Dobar tek!
  • German – Guten appetit!
  • Hebrew – Bete’avon!
  • Hungarian – Jó étvágyat!
  • Korean – Mani deuseyo!
  • Persian – Noosh-e jan!
  • Polish – Smacznego!

For a complete list as found on the New York Public Library site in their World Languages Collection follow the link found here. Happy Thanksgiving all!

Word for the Travel Wise (11/21/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Over the last few weeks we’ve blogged quite a bit about traveling for Iran and for various reasons. If you’re wanting to check out the so-called dangerous nuclear sites that could very well land on your travel itinerary or if you’re an agent looking for some extra pocket cash – try generating a buzz for travel to Iran. I have no real special reasons for wanting to visit Iran other than it’s incredibly cool and packed with tons of ancient history to be explored. One of these the timing will be perfect and you will receive postcards from Persia. I’m hoping that time comes sooner than later.

Today’s word is a Farsi (Persian) word used in Iran:

safar kardan – to travel

Excellent sites for learning Persian online include a personal favorite called Easy Persian and Farhangsara. Both sites have an excellent beginner’s guide into the language and use images, sound and music to assist you in the process. Check out Lonely Planet’s Farsi (Persian) Phrasebook for a shorthand guide at the ancient lingo.

Past Farsi words: be salamati, toot farangee, kheyli golabi, tazeh, dovidan, khastam

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of October 29

by Adrienne Wilson on

The moment you have all been waiting for has arrived at last. An unforgettable week… The most amazing things in blogging history, right here, now… It’s Gadling’s Take Five!!! A little too dramatic? I agree. Let’s just get to what you missed.

5. Star Locator:
Here’s a gear piece for all camp-loving individuals who like to stare off into starry nights, but have trouble finding popular constellations like Orion’s Belt. Maybe you just want to take a glimpse at Mars… Now you can do so with this handy dandy gadget, but you’ll have to visit this one yourself. It’s really rather cool!

4. On Stebastopol:
I’ve never heard of Stebastopol and if someone had asked me prior to reading this piece I would have told them it was in Estonia somewhere. Who says travel bloggers know it all? Stebastopol is mentioned here by Erik who passed through not too long ago and also mentioned by Outside Magazine. They say it’s one of the great towns to live in… Hmm…

3. Get Paid to Travel to Iran:
Someone please sign me up for this promotion! How bad I want to travel to the country of Iran I cannot say, but it looks as though they are making more efforts to bring tourists from the West on in to show them they aren’t as dangerous as the media makes them seem. Travel agents – encourage people to travel to Iran and you could be making some extra cash.

2. Bad English:
This is a book all of us might want to pick up, because in my mind bad English is everywhere, including in English speaking countries. Get your quick laughs about goof-ups found across the globe, but I urge you to spell check yourself and make sure your grammar is on point. You’ll probably find that some foreigners are better at grammar usage than you. I have from time to time.

1. Most Dangerous U.S. Cities:
Pack a glock if you find yourself headed to St. Louie, Flint, or Detroit anytime soon. These three just ranked tops in most dangerous U.S. cities. Okay, don’t pack a glock or any kind of weapon, but do look at the list to see why all the violence. You may be surprised where your own city ranks.

Get Paid to Travel to Iran

by Erik Olsen on

I’ve mentioned in these very pages how much I’d like to travel to Iran. Several friends of mine and folks I know have been there and have said that it is a lovely, friendly country, steeped in history and culture. That the “axis of evil” moniker and the current issues that make the news are political matters, and do not reflect the attitude or hospitality of the people. Well, now it seems one could test that theory…ad get paid to do it.

Or at least your travel agent will get paid. Yes, the Iranian government wants to attract Western tourists, especially Americans, to Iran and those that are able to lure them can get a $20 per head reward (as it were). Same with European tourists….$20. Other countries, well, those are worth $10, said an Iranian official. Al I can say is: sign me up. I’d go to Ira in a heartbeat. And I’d eve meet the fella in this picture. Sure, he seems a bit kooky, but it might be fun to share a hookah with the guy, see what makes him tick.