Paris Marashi Vlog

Sure, it can be a bit of a fuss to get around without a car. However, in Tehran, people are likely to pick you up and drop you off to where you need to go.

As you can see in this video, I wanted to get into a cab, but I didn't find one going my way. So we just got into someone's car. They just picked us up, and dropped us in the direction we wanted to go (since it was on their way)...

There are also plenty of people who drive around town, pick people up, and get paid to do it (with their own cars). Usually people will say, it is free "ghabel nadareh" or it is not worthy of you, and then you say, no really, how much can I pay. Then they will tell you how much. This happens all the time, no matter where you go shopping.

"how much?"

"ghabel nadareh" (it is not worthy of you)

"No thanks, really."

"400 Tomans please." 

At least once a week, my grandmother will burn esfand (Peganum Harmala) for the family. The smoke smells really nice, acts as an antiseptic, and is also said to rid the effect of the evil eye. Rather than harming the person, any bad energy is said to be cleansed away.

It is also customary to burn esfand at weddings. Last night I went to a wedding, where this gentleman circled the esfand around my head before putting it into the fire.

Ameh Akram is my mom's aunt (my grandfather's sister).

Dialogue

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[the US] was very fun...and if i wasn't so old and if they were to ask me to go back [to the US] I would go.

I am afraid that if I go back something might happen to me...Or if they were to put me in a nursing home... I would rather sit in my own room here.

I saw my sister.  They put her in a nursing home.

It broke my heart.

I brought her in my house, even though my own leg was broken--she knows.

Yes, one or two years.

I brought her in my home and my own leg was broken.

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inspired by a lecture by Vito Acconci in a class taught by Red Burns at ITP