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[dherblay]

As I mull over a possible autumn trip to Iran, I have been much consoled by Nicholas Kristof's recent columns (1, 2) reporting that its inhabitants are strikingly pro-American. This doesn't surprise me in particular, because when I'm travelling international I rarely run into anyone who even expresses resentment towards the US government, much less

Comments

Oo, Iran,

[anneth]

one of the places I'd like to visit someday...

When I traveled in Europe two summers ago, I heard a pretty fair amount of "stupid ugly Americans!" I certainly wasn't being personally conflated with Bush, but I overheard a good number of young people complaining about the US in a vague, grumbly manner. Now that I think about it, though, I recall that most of the grumbling came from my fellow American student-travelers, grumbling about overhearing grumbling. Hmmm.

(Sorry; only tangentially related. What would you be doing in Iran? Am I allowed to ask?)

Re: Oo, Iran,

[dherblay]

The trip to Iran would be sight-seeing.

Yeah, I considered mentioning that the place I've encountered the most virulent anti-Americanism is Switzerland, but that would be egging the pudding; and it would also severely understate my mother's politics.

Re: Oo, Iran,

[angeyja]

Since Anneth broke the ice, could I ask what it is about Iran that drew you to think of visiting?

I've only ever been to Iceland (can't really count Canada) lots of place stateside, and were things a bit differemt lots of places overseas I'd really like to see.

Re: Oo, Iran,

[dherblay]

Oh, Ishafan, Persepolis. That's about it really. I like Islamic architecture.