Exiled Both Ways

My father was born in Iran and longs to return to his home.

Their women are famous all across the world for their beauty. Tall and dark with blue eyes, or blond with a touch of the Orient. And the men are super nice – all about smoking hookah, dancing and laughing.

Their culture is ancient, going back thousands of years ago. In their land you can see archeological history in the making – amazing! You can see hundreds of years passing through your eyes.

In their major cities you can see modern buildings, fast cars and marvelous gardens. It is said that once you’ve been to their capital city your heart stays there – with the sites, the people and the parties.

You can go hike hundreds of miles and never get tired of the view. You will walk in desert, climb mountains and slide in snow hills. You will see wide green horizon turn to yellow before you will decide to go back. The people in the villages are very welcoming.  Any visitor is treated like a king.

Whenever I mention this country to my father he immediately started to sing. I grew up hearing their songs and still remember how I used to laugh as a baby when the drum started to go faster.

There is nothing I want more than to go there and see it for myself.

Iran, the land my father came from, sounds like heaven.

I wish I will go there someday – just to walk around in the streets of Tehran, and smile. My father used to tell me that he will probably not be able to do it, but I will.

The Eram Garden in Shiraz, Iran. In farsi, "Eram" means heaven / PAYAM PERSIAN (Flickr)

As our countries exist on the verge of war though, I can’t even book a flight over there. Even if I would try I will be denied, and so will any citizen from Iran that will ask to visit Israel. The two countries, that used to be good friends, have become the biggest enemies.

As more years go by, I have a feeling I will have to tell the same thing to my future son:

“There is this wonderful place, with amazing people that shine like the moon in the night. And to this place you will probably have the chance to go – because for me, it’s too late.”