Due to the troubles we had on the road in Turkey and the long border crossing we arrive quite late in Salmas, just before sunset. We go inside a small tea shop and ask the owner to ring the number of Mr. Nagi, given us in Van. He is happy to help us and offers us some tea while waiting. Not long after there is a man standing in front of us without saying a word. When we ask him if there is something we can do for him, he explains he is Mr. Nagi. We say goodbye to everyone in the tea shop and follow him to his house. There we are being welcomed by the whole family and we enjoy a great meal with them. They made a real effort and we have French fries, rice, chicken, vegetables, yoghurt dressing, cake and bread.

Family Dinner

We immediately are faced with the huge hospitality that the Iranian people are famous for. Kitty isn't allowed to take her head scarf off, but for the rest we really feel like we are amongst family.
The plan is to drive to Tabriz the next day, but that is out of the question because the family asks us to spend the next day with them. We gladly take this invitation and decide then to drive straight to Tehran to catch up for this "lost" day. The next day we visit a local zoo and the surrounding lake.

Urmia Lake

With the Family at the Zoo

Truly a great day and on the way home we get a snack. At home we enjoy again a lovely dinner and we share telephone numbers. Mr. Nagi also gives us a number we can call when we arrive in Tehran. The next morning he guides us out of the city and says goodbye. The goodbye is very emotional and Mr. Nagi has tears in his eyes. We have to promise him that we will come back one day.

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