Barzin Pakandam
Class of 2004

September 23, 2004:

Going back to my homeland was an eye-opening experience. There is a certain heritage and connection I feel with the earth beneath me, a rooted sense of knowing this is where I come from. Within hours upon my arrival, I felt a deep understanding of the culture and behaviors of Iranians. Clearly, I have a linguistic edge in being able to comprehend the language, but the sense if understanding went beyond linguistic boundries. I identified with the people, I laughed at the jokes (and anyone that's ever done any travelling knows how hard it is to find the humor in another cultures jokes), I knew what was appropriate, and often when not to cross the line into the innapropriate (although quite often, I did cross that line, either intentionally or unintentionally). In Tehran I mostly visited family and experienced the routines of daily life in Iran. I can't say much of it besides - life is life the world over. Young people are young people, and lifes concerns are cross-cultural.

Perspolis

The most moving part of my trip however was experiencing life outside of Northern Tehran. I had the fortune of being able to backpack through some smaller villages, become aquainted with locals, and hear their concerns over what matters most to them. Everywhere I went, in mosques and in tea houses, at dinner or at the park, the conversation always shifted to politics. I guess I know where I get my political roots. Everyone had a different opinion, and no religious opinion was the same as any other. Nor was any secular opinion the same as the rest. But it plays in typical Iranian fashion that everyone I spoke to, took it upon themselves to speak for the opinion of the entire nation. And, I believe that if the entire nation would come to a concencus, it would be that the revolution has failed them, religiously, politically, and everything else. The situation for almost all Iranians (except for the connected) has worsened, and it hurts me most to see my people suffer. More than anything else I only wish them - all of them, hope for a bright future. They are just so exhausted of war, having to defend themselves against Islam and the West, having to defend and justify every action taken by their government - they just want to live.

Shah's Mosque

Sightseeing was beautiful, although I was slightly disappointed in the lack of funds available in the restoration of historic sights. It was a bit humbling to see such glorious works that have so much history, and yet, while Europeans dump millions into the restoration of their history, the promotion of tourism, Iran shuns it in favor of corruption and thievery. I was saddened by the excesses of revolution, yet proud of my countries decorative history.

If nothing else, my trip to Iran opened my eyes to a whole new perspective on democracy, religion, and life. There are certain fundamental similarities to the human condition, but I learned to always be wary of judging others through the lens of my own cultural perspective. We must attempt to see the world through as many perspectives as possible. It was good to see my home away from home.

Barzin

Barzin Pakandam
b_pakandam@umail.ucsb.edu

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