Asia

[Visited: May 2022]

Leaving Bam proved to be quite easy, and I was on my way in a shared taxi within less than half an hour. My host in Bam gave the number of Qaroush, my driver in Mahan to the taxi driver, and so it was that he could drop me off in the middle of nowhere, where Qaroush is waiting for me. It is a seamless transfer, and we are on the way at once. On the way, we make a brief tea stop at a field of pistachios. Too bad we do not have time for another visit to his lovely family. The day before, they received me for tea and biscuits, and I had a lively chat with his oldest daughter who speaks English very well, and whom I even gave a copy of my book since she loves reading. Qaroush does not speak any English, so we just smile at each other. Then, the phone rings, and he passes it on to me. It is his daughter, who tells me there is a party that evening, and if we can hurry up so her father can attend. I am surprised: he is supposed to take me to Meymand, and then drop me off in Yazd: a long distance. Mahan is then another 300km away, so it is unthinkable that he can be home early. When we arrive in Meymand, he says I only have thirty minutes to visit, but I am determined to give the place its proper time. I call my host in Kerman, who arranges everything.
It is finally time to explore the ancient village of Meymand. Its history is not clear: there are those who say it has been founded by Aryans around 800 BCE, and there are those who claim it was founded by various tribes in the second century CE. At the same time, it has been established that dwellings were carved out of the rock here around 3.000 years ago, and there are stone engravings that are dated back to 10.000 years ago. In any case, I am at the foot of a rocky hill, which is dotted with openings. I am free to clamber around the rocks, and work my way up to the top. No matter how old they are, people have been carving out courtyards and entrances, holes in the rock face, and dwellings inside. People still live here, using the ancient spaces carved out by their forefathers.
Persians have been worshipping the sun since a long time, and moving to this barren place high up in the mountains, made sure they were closer to the celestial body. They had to endure the scorching heat in summer and the cold in winter. I am here between spring and summer, and the temperature is pleasant. I walk from door to door, see an ancient fire temple, see an ancient school, see buildings made of small rocks, see old wooden doors closing the entrance to each cave dwelling. I even see a hotel, and for a second, ask myself if I should not stay a night here. I could send Qaroush home from here - but then would not know how to leave. I continue my exploration of Meymand, and am rewarded with great views from the other side of the valley. I find Qaroush sitting on a carpet, and he invites me for tea and biscuits, taken from home. He says sorry, and I realise he is a sweet guy. We are on our way to Yazd with beautiful of the surrounding mountains until we reach the main road.

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Meymand (Iran)

Meymand > Iran > Asia

[Visited: May 2022]

Around the World in 80 Clicks