(continued from "Iran so far away")
Armando is in the front with the tan shirt
The next day I went with Jeff to the college that he taught at. Jeff introduced me to his forth year lit class students and I tried to help them with a group quiz on the book Galatea 2.2. Which I never read so I wasn't much help. Afterwords I met up with Armando at the bar we met each other at and had a few beers. After waiting for Kershak for bout an hour he called and said we'll meet at the hotel. So Armando and I left and headed towards the hotel. It was on the same block of the tallest building in Izmir, the Hilton Hotel unfortunately I don't remember the name. we then headed up one floor to the banquet room (I found that strange since I was under the assumption that we were getting drunk in a hotel room.) We walk in to a large group of people having dinner wearing formal clothes and talking in a language I've had yet to hear. Turning to Armando I say "I wish u would have told me this thing was formal! Here I am wearing jeans, sneakers, and a tye dye t-shirt! I look like an ignorant american asshole!" He just laughs.
We go and join a table of men all talking in persian (Iran's main language and the strange vernacular i heard earlier) In front was a panel comprised of the Iranian ambassador to Turkey, a high ranking religious official, and three of the wealthiest Iranians living in this area. When i sat down i was served a traditional iranian dish made of mashed eggplant, a stringy beef, and a bowl of fruit. Everything was delicious except the beef was a little dry. They served a strawberry cake afterwords that was equally delectable. As we ate the panel talked and since I didn't understand what they were saying. I asked Armando and he told me that the ambassador was offering his service to anyone whom may have any problems living here in Turkey. As well as giving a free all expense paid trip to MECCA! I didn't put my name in because i figured it'd be a little weird for a non believing american to win such a thing (and i didn't really understand what the hell was going on...) All the while I was being introduced to Armando's fantastic friends and family whom were delighted to see an american at this get together/ country. I was invited to at least four different parties. To be honest I was completely surprised how nice everyone was, and how many people spoke english. I kept apologiseing for my outfit to which made many people laugh. After a group photo with the panelists, I headed home reaping only reward from possible risk. I had a great time because I followed my gut and hoped for the best in a foreign country.
(I didn't bring my camera to this event so i didn't get pics so im putting up pics of when Armando and I hung out later that week)
We go and join a table of men all talking in persian (Iran's main language and the strange vernacular i heard earlier) In front was a panel comprised of the Iranian ambassador to Turkey, a high ranking religious official, and three of the wealthiest Iranians living in this area. When i sat down i was served a traditional iranian dish made of mashed eggplant, a stringy beef, and a bowl of fruit. Everything was delicious except the beef was a little dry. They served a strawberry cake afterwords that was equally delectable. As we ate the panel talked and since I didn't understand what they were saying. I asked Armando and he told me that the ambassador was offering his service to anyone whom may have any problems living here in Turkey. As well as giving a free all expense paid trip to MECCA! I didn't put my name in because i figured it'd be a little weird for a non believing american to win such a thing (and i didn't really understand what the hell was going on...) All the while I was being introduced to Armando's fantastic friends and family whom were delighted to see an american at this get together/ country. I was invited to at least four different parties. To be honest I was completely surprised how nice everyone was, and how many people spoke english. I kept apologiseing for my outfit to which made many people laugh. After a group photo with the panelists, I headed home reaping only reward from possible risk. I had a great time because I followed my gut and hoped for the best in a foreign country.
(I didn't bring my camera to this event so i didn't get pics so im putting up pics of when Armando and I hung out later that week)
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