Making friends in Shiraz

Today I had a busy day. I rented a taxi for the whole day to be able to move quickly between the important tourist places in Shiraz.

I visited some beautiful gardens, saw the tomb of Emir Ali, Saadi and Hafez. The last one is the most famous poet in Iran.

In the tomb of emir Ali people were remembering the death of a loved one. It is a custom to give something to eat or to drink to visitors of the mosque. I got some sweet cookies and a cup of tea. Later I was approached by two little children and thanks to my basic farsi skills I was able to communicate with them.
As a westerner you really stand out, especially in the gardens. Most of the time people give you the odd look, but often they stop to ask where you are from. Then they want to make a picture of you (who is the tourist now ;) )
They often inquire why you are travelling alone (tanha) and ask if you are married (People in Iran use to marry at quite a young age). People are really surprised when you answer them in Farsi. Soon I get stuck because I know most trivial conversation now but when people get into details it is a little harder.

So I am talking a lot (in farsi ;) ) In Shiraz I have talked two hours with shop keepers, two hours with people in the hotel, with soldiers, taxi drivers, tourists, you name it. The farsi language course is really paying of now. Maybe I will spent some more time practicing tonight.

In the orange guarden pavillion I saw a picture on the ceiling that had a "dutch" flavour about it. With people on the ice and a windmill in the background. Remarkable.