Couchsurfing In Iran : Revealing A Hidden World by Stephan Orth

Author : Stephan Orth
Title : Couchsurfing In Iran : Revealing A Hidden World
Publisher : Greystone Books
Published : 17/06/2018
Pages : 304

Genre : Travel / Non Fiction

     Iran: A destination that is seldom seen by westerners yet often misunderstood. A country that simultaneously enchants and enrages those who visit it. A place where leading a double life has become the norm. In Couchsurfing in Iran, award-winning author Stephan Orth spends sixty-two days on the road in this mysterious Islamic republic to provide a revealing, behind-the-scenes look at life in one of the world's most closed societies. Experiencing daily what he calls the "two Irans" that coexist side by side. Getting up close and personal with locals, he covers more than 8,400 kilometers, peering behind closed doors and blank windows to uncover the inner workings of a country where the public show and private reality are strikingly opposed.

     Due to current circumstances, my ability to go traveling off to far-flung place in the world has become very limited.  traveling is my second love after books, So this is how I came to find my self staring at the rows of shelves in the travel section at the bookstore. I figure its the next best thing right. These days there are so many books out there about this very subject, the store I was in has one whole wall devoted just to travel guides and maps. So as I gazed at destinations familiar (as in places I've been) and the more exotic my eyes feel upon Couchsurfing in Iran. I'm going to guess much like you this is a place that you know little about. I would say most of what I do know comes from the news. This is not a pretty picture, It shows a country of extremist, a place that hates the west and above all a place the foreign office advises the British public not to go.  But what the hell I figure this would be the book for me, time to expand my mind a bit and find out what the real Iran was really all about. 

     The author starts the book off with the first thought that I know would be feeling as I came to the border of this country that of being scared. It would be difficult not to, with everything I have heard how could you not. But it doesn't take long for you to realize that all might not be as you would have at first thought. He opened my eyes to a country that is I feel is miss understood to some degree. It is a land that feels split into two very different worlds. When it comes to the government much is how you would expect, down with the west and the lead is all. The shift comes when he starts to interact with the people, there is a much more relaxed feel to the party line. I suppose to me this really should not come as such a surprise. On my many adventures around the globe I have come to learn that it doesn't matter where you go be it the most liberal country to that of the dictator run countries people are people, they just want to live there lives in peace and find joy where they can.

     the interactions he has reminded me so much of the ones I have had. To some extent, you are of fascination to the locals especially if you go off the beaten path. While long gone are the days of foreigners being a true surprise you are still the odd one out. And people will come up to you just to have a closer look. As the author shows the people of Iran are outgoing and do there best to show you the brighter side of there country. When it comes down to it they are no different, they want the latest phones and a new T.V, at this point, it really should not come as such a big surprise. But he also shows that it is best not to forget for too long the country you in. I would say more so in the big cities and in the major tourist spots the watch full government is never too far from you. And while he does find himself in the odd tricky spot, reading it from the comfort of my home it doesn't seem to bad. I would imagine he felt a bit different sitting in an interrogation room. Overall I would say he tries to keep the tone of the book up and does a great job of showing the other side of Iran. 

    I left this book feeling I had a greater understating of this country and more the better for it. He also manages to give you a bit of the history of Iran, So you can think of it like this as well. Due to reading this book it is a place I have now added to my maybe list of destinations I want to head to. He shows a vibrant place full of people I think you would be happy to meet and spend a bit of time getting to know. I could write a lot more but then I venture too far into taking away your enjoyment of this book.