The Iran that I experienced

The Islamic Republic of Iran is a country full of contradictions. On one hand are the famous carpets, the bazaars, the ancient silk routes and the addictive poetry but on the other, are the gruesome stories of human rights abuse and an enforcement of a strict religious code on the citizens. The country has always intrigued me, and in January 2019, I decided to visit it solo. (I set out solo but the visa rules mandate travel with either a group or a guide. I chose the services of a guide who accompanied me throughout). This is an account of my travels through Tehran, Kashan, Isfahan, Persepolis, Yazd and Shiraz.