Rick Steves Blogs From Iran
Travel Blog • Jim Benning • 05.21.08 | 1:52 PM ET
He’s there to produce a TV show about travel in the country—and he’s on something of a mission. As he explained on the blog a couple of days ago:
A friend from the Washington State chapter of the United Nations Association called me six months ago and asked what I could do to help them build understanding between Iran and the US, and to defuse the tension that could be leading to war. I answered, “The only powerful thing I could do would be to produce a TV show on Iran.” I remember when the bombs first fell on Baghdad, thinking I’d missed an opportunity to make a travel show that could humanize Baghdad and give ‘collateral damage’ a face. I didn’t want to miss an opportunity to do this for Iran.
You go, Rick.
Related on World Hum:
* Rick Steves, Drug Policy Provocateur
* Q&A With Rick Steves
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Jim Benning is the editor and co-founder of World Hum.
John M. Edwards 05.21.08 | 11:35 PM ET
Hi Rick and Jim:
I’m a big fan of making friends with former enemies. It’s amazing what a neat stack of treaty papers and trade handshakes can do for the morale of local populaces. Because of my English-German heritage many people ask me what side I would have been on during “Dubya Dubya Deux” (the working title of my upcoming breakthrough speculative fiction novel.
My usual response is, uh, you mean Allied or Axis? I guess both. War is a terrible thing.
I think we should be careful.
I’d rather drink imitation cokes and fiddle with parchesi pieces with the Ayotollah in a caravanserai, wondering how the world can give peace a chance, than set myself up as absolute dictator of the planet, and like the character in “A Boy and His Dog” (played by the star of “Miami Vice”)—repopulate the planet!
Thomas Malthus! Interesting character. . . .
Jean Macdonald 06.11.08 | 6:33 PM ET
Iran is a beautiful country with tremendous variety. It has a wonderful and ancient culture and the people are delightful. The food and music is wonderful. The image portrayed in news clips is a very limited and narrow view and does not reflect the character and thinking of majority of the people.
I’m thrilled that Rick Steves is doing a program there. I wish he would lead a tour there. I would be very interested.
ruth cascone 06.14.08 | 12:00 AM ET
Delighted to hear you, Rick, are traveling
to Iran. I was there in 2004, with Global
Exchange. I read about the country for 18
months before leaving, and ever since returning, also. This trip was a peak experience in my life for many reasons. I
discovered a love of Islamic architecture.
I loved the people, and have remained in
regular e-mail contact with one of them.
I now have dear Iranian friends here. I hope to return. Ruth