Yashara's Place

Snow showed up for a nasty visit in Astara the other day.  Cold windy wet snow. We set up camp in a tea house in the center of the main square in town and decided to see the place in small pieces meeting as many locals as would talk to us.  Going out in groups of two to explore the town, we discovered the normal necessities along the way of Internet, fruit, bread, and transportation.  Not a big place, Astara proved to be one of the friendlier places we have encountered so far.  A city divided, Astara is located half in Azerbaijan and half in Iran.  As such, the people seem to move fairly freely back and forth across the border through what appears to be a simple steel door.  It is unmarked, and guarded by one friendly looking guard.  We stood by the door for a little while just to see the goings on, but then were politely asked to move on by the authorities. 

 

TV is also a mix of both Azeri and Iranian.  Normally dressed men are found on talk shows, in commercials, even hosting an exercise show on the Iranian side.  In contrast, the women news reporters, hostesses, and commercial actresses all wear the traditional head coverings (which look a lot like nun habits).  Game shows are the same.  There was one show that looked like "Stump the Nun" or something where people were asking questions, and the very pious looking woman was answering to every one's amazement.  Of course this was all in Farsi, and could have been a cooking show or something. 

 

Yashara, the owner of a local tea house was kind enough to host us the entire day, providing us with tea and bonbons..free of charge.  He said our money is no good in his joint.  It was good to find another friend on a cold day. .