I am still super tired from my long flight home. Yes I went to Tehran and Shiraz and I had a great time.
So what was the biggest thing I saw that was different? The driving. The buildings. Everything was so interesting and different from what I know, but I do have the biggest difference worked out.
So give me a minute and let me give a few statements. I do not know any political people in power. I met with no government officials. I went to Tehran, Iran to meet my husband’s family. As an American female, telling people that I was going often had people say to me ‘Did you see the movie, Not Without My Daughter’ as if to warn me I shouldn’t go. My own father was dead set against me going because of this fear. Now my husband is the opposite of that guy in the movie I saw a long time ago. My husband’s awesome and it’s right I meet his family. They trusted me with their son just as my parents trusted my husband with me. Notice the theme, I’m going to mention in this blog. I will have a few more. The number one thing that hit me as a cultural difference was the definition of family. I’m White American. It means growing up you have two parents and siblings. You visit your grandmother once in a while who then in turns brings the aunts and uncles. As an adult in my culture, you get married and then you start your own family. This is white people American. In Iranian culture, the family is the most important unit. No one leaves and starts their own. His mother runs the house, and she in turn is also a sibling ensuring they have food. Family arguments can include way more than a husband and a wife. Families are involved with everything. I truly never experienced this before.
Now in Miami I fully expect quite a few of my friends to say ‘Hispanic families are similar.’ Perhaps that is true. I saw in Iran your family meant everything. You have cousins who you speak to at more than just a family gathering once a in a blue moon. The togetherness for me was like a bullet train at some points. I’m used to my own space where you let your hair down and not care what anyone’s thoughts are for a few hours.
Last note this was a cultural experience. His family was warm, fun, caring and good people. I liked everyone I met. I think I surprised them too with my warmness and hugs. They expected me to be German or British I think and be colder. I’m the type that screams on a roller coaster and doesn’t hide her expressions well at all. I’d never play poker because I’ll never win in a bluff. So this surprised them about me, I think. I hugged everyone who gave us a wedding present. I would kiss their cheeks in their fashion and then hug in my own. I did this a lot as his family could not fly to the USA for our wedding.
I will write and share pictures, once I’m on a good sleep schedule and able to think.
