I’m going to Iran | Keep in touch or I’ll get lonesome & cry!

“Where are you going? To Ghandahar?” — delivered in an incredulous tone armed with a figuratively raised eyebrow — is how an Iranian person might address someone who makes a fuss or takes a lot of things with them when going somewhere or on a trip.  I guess back when this phrase of speech started, Ghandahar was the furthest reaches of the earth one’s mind could comprehend. I’m not taking a lot of things with me, and I’m trying not to make a fuss, and I’m certainly not going to Ghandahar, but I am going to Iran. Finally. After 35 years. Well, you already knew that. All told, I will be gone for two months, give or take … approximately … more or less. That sounds like a long time and maybe it will be too long and it’ll drag and maybe it’ll be entirely too brief. Time will tell!

I don’t have any children, so you’d think it’d be oh-so-easy for me to pick up and take off, but, ah … the blog. THE BLOG!

Let me tell you, having a blog is a little bit like having a pet. (Although sometimes I think of my blog as a HUNGRY monster that must be fed again and again and again. But right away, I take it back and say, no no no, oh sweet little blog of mine, you are NOT a monster, you are my moosh ‘eh koochooloo sweet pet.)

You can’t leave your monster, I mean your sweet pet, without food and water and companionship. That’s why I have a few posts I’ve written ahead of time that are scheduled to publish while I’m away. So keep your eyes peeled for those. Further, I’m delighted to say that I have a few interesting and downright fantastic guest blog posts for you as well — thanks to some kind, gracious and entirely adorable blogger and civilian friends. True treats in store for you! I promise. You’ll see! So I hope you’ll continue to come and keep my pet blog company while I’m away so it won’t get lonesome. OK?

And keep in touch with me too so I won’t get lonesome either! I don’t know how actively I’ll have Internet access or, more accurately, how often I’ll have the time or opportunity or desire to get online. I mean, odds are, I’ll be stuffing my face with something delicious instead. But, whenever possible, I’d love to share some Norooz festivities and fun highlights of my travel with you.

I’ll probably keep in touch mostly via Facebook. So, can we please be friends? I’m leaving on the 11th of March, so do “friend” me beforehand. You do want to be friends, don’t you? You might also find me on Twitter and Instagram. If we’re not following each other yet, let’s fix that. Find me so I can follow you back.

I’ll miss reading your blogs and keeping up with your doings but I hope to take a good week off when I return to just chillax and catch up with most if not all of your shenanigans. Meanwhile, if there’s any recipe or foodie type of questions that you have, definitely let me know in the comments or send me an email and I’ll do my best to look it up for you.

Before I sign off, this tantalizing specimen of  cholokabab koobideh  is one of the MANY things I hope to eat:

Mouthwatering cholo kabob Koobideh | Iran

Photo of the cholo kabob koobideh sent to me by a friend who obviously wanted to torture me. Thank you Laya! 🙂

And this little village near Tehran is one of the places I hope to visit:

The beautiful photo taken by and courtesy of my lovely uncle John Thompson.

Only a few days away! I can’t wait to get there, honestly! Though I wish I had at least one more week to finish and wrap up things before taking off … And it’s too bad that I’ll miss my lovely mom’s birthday (happy birthday in advance lovely mom) and I’ll sadly also miss a recital by a little adorable rascal … and I’m missing a friend’s very fun birthday party … but, I’m also arriving on the birthday of my good friend who I’m staying with, so … it’s all good. The balance of universe is restored.

I may be poking my nose around around in social media channels until I’m on the plane but as far as this blog goes, this is it, then, this is bye bye for now. Let me grab a couple of Kleenexes. I AM verklempt. Now don’t forget to either find me on twitter or to Friend me – OK?  OK! Let’s please keep in touch! Otherwise, I’ll get really sad and lonesome and I WILL cry.

This trip was for the longest time a dream and now it’s a reality. I’m excited to realize this dear ambition and I wish whatever yours is, it will come true as well. In its time. Under grace.

Happy Weekend & Happy Spring Lovely People! And Till soon!

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