High out, right in the middle

What a pleasant welcome in this new country for me. The prejudices are correct: the Iranian in itself is simply an insanely nice person! And the Iranian anyway.

Of course, here at the airport there are people who have 'much better courses than at the bureaux de change' (of course they do not have them) and their taxis are 'much cheaper' than the dozen official ones in line at the airport (of course they are not) but as a trained tourist you ignore this.
And is more pleased with friendly and curious faces, who chew on sweets.

And you change your money to an outrageous course - the currency is in free fall - and if that were not so bad for the people here, it could be a tourist. How long will that be okay?

So much for the general Blabla.

Day 1:
High out in the north on the Teheran mountain, the Tochal (3975 meters). Unfortunately, there is such a fat smog over the city (official population 9 million, but it is more likely 15+ in the metropolitan area) that you can not see the city from the summit.
From further down you can guess it: Tehran to the horizon (the city is over 50 km)!
Then to Darband, a suburban community in the mountains, whose inhabitants have built a pure food and party mile with restaurants and tea houses far into the gorge. Strange! And not appropriate to photograph.
Thanks to Dean from Salzburg and Andreas from Munich for the relaxed company!

Photos are not that great, but bonus material:
One in 8 billion Tehran cats playing with baby scorpion (are not they dangerous?) ... Sweetie!

Day 2:
Fantastic.
Golestan Palace, what a splendor. Very friendly people everywhere.
Big bazaar, people watching, constant search for vegetarian food (does not believe the guide! It actually makes trouble!). Very friendly people everywhere.
Tabiat Bridge. Modern architecture that makes total sense.
But most important: the evening at the hostel with conversations about everything.
Fantastic.

Photo bonus material: Gandalf as a young man and a burger.