Imam square, Iran, Isfahan
Every day, I get my daily dose of Iranian TV, soap-opras, news and even the latest music right on my lap top. The world just seems so small after that and I cannot feel the distance between me and my country. But soon, I am asked the same questions over and over again: Is living in Iran dangerous? Do women have to cover their faces? Will an American get shot on the streets of Tehran? Was I lucky to go to high school in Iran? and etc. Only then I realize how far away from home I am. I am faraway because I am a stranger. I am a stranger because my homeland is misunderstood. My homeland is invisible.
I do not claim that Iran has the best of governments or life is easy and perfect for Iranians. But I do claim that what we see and hear on mainstream media about Iran is far from the reality that lays within that country.
I am trained as a journalist and have done few journalistic activities as a blogger for AOL and editorial opinion writer for The Daily Collegian at University of Massachusetts Amherst. This blog is a further attempt to get the stories and pictures I have witnessed, heard, taken and written out to the western audience.
All the photos posted here are taken by me and the essays and articles are also written and edited by me with a hope of presenting a first hand experience which is seasoned with lots of reporting from life inside Iran.
I am also a writer. I am very interested in your blog and glad to find the referral on Huffington. I search after the truth always and purposely do not watch television. I have just read the first two blogs but appreciate them very much. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoy the rest of the stories too.
Parisa-jun,
I finally had time to visit your blog, and I have found your writing to be rich both in detail and in idea. You are probing the soul of the country, the people and yourself. You know I miss you here and want you to come back, but I know that you feel a sense of commitment to Iran right now. I will check your blog regularly and know that amazing gifts will await! Diana
What an honor to get such kind feedback from the professor to whom I owe my writing abilities today!
oh my god i miss you parisa joooooooooooon this picture has nice sky
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I look forward to getting to know you through your writings! Please, when you have a moment, take a look at my blog: http://www.redhorsedown.blogspot.com — it concerns US-Iran relations. Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Dear Alexander,
Keep up the great work and cherish your passion and gift of writing.
Thank you for visiting my blog. My apologies for getting back to you so late. Your writing is so much better than mine
Best
خانم محترم میدونم که به هیچ جات نیست، ولی حداقل جلوی چهارتا خارجی که از صبح تا شب داره جلوشون ایران یه کشور بدبخت عقب مونده نشون داده میشه تو آبرو داری بکن؛ حالا هر چقدر هم که وضع خراب باشه دلیل نداره تویی که داری اون کله دنیا عشق و صفاتو می کنی واسه ماها دل بسوزونی، خیلی این کاره ای پاشو بیا یه کمکی به حال مملکتت بکن نه اینکه پاتو رو هم بذاری و کشورتو به گند بکشی
چی عایدت میشه از این سیاه نمایی ها؟ من نوعی هر وقت میرم اونور آب با اینکه دل خوشی از اوضاع ندارم باز اجازه نمیدم کسی به کشورم و مردمش توهین کنه؛ ولی تو و امثال تو باعث میشید خارجی ها جرئت توهین و جسارت رو به ایرانی جماعت پیدا کنن و به فرهنگ و شعور و نژادمون توهین کنن
تف بر این بی غیرتی و وطن فروشی
فارسی هم نوشتم که پیش خواننده های بین المللیت ابروت نره
Translation of above comment:
“Dear Lady, I know you don’t care, but at least try to save the image of Iran in front of bunch of foreigners who constantly see Iran as a backward and underdeveloped country. No matter how dire the situation in Iran is, there is no reason that you who are having a great time on the other side of the world should feel sorry for us. If you think you are so smart, why don’t you come back home and try to do something for your own country. What do you gain from destroying the image of your country? When I go out side of Iran, despite being unhappy with the situation in Iran, I never allow anyone to insult my people. But you and people like you allow foreigners to find the audacity to insult Iran, Iranians, their culture and their heritage. I spit on your lack of honor and betraying your country. I wrote this in Farsi to not to embarrass you in front of your international audience”
Dear friend,
Thank you for visiting my blog. I truly appreciate your comment and I’m sorry that you have found my blog insulting to Iran and the Iranian people.
I’m afraid there has been a misunderstanding regarding the message my writing carries. And I hope you spend more time reading the content of this blog, other writings I have published and the feedback they have received from the non-Iranian audience.
Finally, I salute you in your ongoing effort to restore the image of Iran in your travels and wish you peace and well-being.
دوست عزیز
با تشکر از دیدار و کامنتتان. من از صمیم قلب متشکرم و متاسف هستم که شما نوشته های من را توهین آمیز یافته اید. به نظر می رسد که سو تفاهمی در رساندن مطلب ایجاد شده و من امید وارم که جنابعالی وقت گذاشته و نوشته های بنده را در اینجا و جاهای دیگر به علاوه ی پذیرش آنها در میان غیر ایرانیان بخوانید… باشد که منظور و مقصود راستین اینجانب بطور صحیح به حضرت عالی رسانده شود.
در آخر شما را برای تلاش بی وقفه در اطلاع رسانی در مورد ایران و ایرانیان در خارج از کشور تحسین می کنم و برایتان آرزوی سلامتی، صلح و سفر هایی خوش را آرزومندم