Post #1

Americano, is Americano – Everywhere

can’t believe im here, it s just crazy….but there s something with international airports that gives you the feeling that it is all good, they all look and smell the same, it s like home. I found a free wi fi spot and …some coffee ….wasn’t sure how to ask for it at the shop, so I went with -long coffee please? the dude behind the counter answered in a perfect English -what kind? -filter coffee…you know…black long… i said. -Americano? he says -Yes. no milk please -Sure

Post #2

Morning (before coffee)

Reza, taxi driver: where you from? -France – France, I love it , my brother lives in paris! -what does he do? -he’s a Doctor, and he s wife runs a restaurant…Persian food. -really, witch one? -it s called the Perchianan …on…i don t remember the name of the st. i think it s in the 15ar -….wow I know this place, my sister lives just in that same area… so you speak a bit of French? -my father was fluent, lot of people here speaks a very good French, me I know, bonjour, apres-midi and all the cars brand. so it s your first time here? – yes…. why don t you use the air conditioned.. -it s not working, for years now. you won t find a taxi in all the city that as air C. welcome to our beautiful city, I hope you ll enjoy it, and no matter what you do… go to see the Pol-e-Tabiat bridge.

Post #3

2 Things today

-the colors of the buses does mean nothing (until a year ago they had yellow buses just for gov workers and official, but my friend tell me that now all the buses are open to anyone, the colors don’t matter anymore) -the best veggie restaurant in the city is on valiasr st, cool place called…herbis. i tried only the stuff with the crispy orange rice, the rest looks too bizarre for me, maybe next time. people here remind me the shop owners in the telaviv shook, the moment they got you a tourist they try to make you a good time and ask questions. i’m over doing my french accent, and got into few conversation about the french revolution. at the end of dinner the restaurant owner makes us coffee and says…”wait i have a surprise for you” he went to the kitchen and came back with a Cointreau bottle. he put a bit in each glass, raise his one and say “salam”.

Post #4

I read somewhere a clever advice: FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT

That’s exactly what we have been doing for the past 3 years on this page. We’re forcing the reality to become what we want, we’re creating a virtual connection until we can make it real.

It all started with a friend online asking “what if”… what if you could come for a weekend in Tehran.
Of course i can’t….not yet.
But i can at least fake it. Make it look so real that it would open the minds to the possibility of this really happening…why not. we had a long conversation online and he tought me all these thing about his city….the taxi drivers, the airport, the coffee shops…

This was only a dream. I am at home in Tel Aviv, and i sent my avatar to visit Tehran for the weekend

The moment I pressed “publish” on fb, i felt 2 things.
1. I wish I could have really been there
2. why is it not that simple.

A few minute after posting the picture from the airport people started to welcome me and it was heart breaking. I felt like i was really there, and i felt that i was also disappointing them…. because i was not.

Someone wrote : “Ronny did what everybody should have done…he went to see for himself”….I felt proud, but also bad,….because I didn’t…I wish I could, but actually I can’t. Not even with my French passport that says I was born in Israel.
It’s impossible. It’s forbidden by both our governments.

During my fake weekend in Tehran I learned that Iranian people are so welcoming…I received so many welcome messages, people invited me to their homes. Iranians remind me so much of my own people, proud and love their country, welcoming and want you to enjoy your stay.

So many people recommended places to visit and restaurant to eat at…. I learned that despite the fact that our governments are almost at war, we the people, are open and ready for peace…..I wish everyone could make the same fake vacation, just to get this warm welcome.

It’s Rosh A ’Shana here, the Hebrew new year, it’s customary to make a wish for the next year, so I wish to be able to really go there, to really meet you, to make this fake weekend a reality. I wish to see peace.
Thank you for the real love you sent me.
Even though I wasn’t there, you made me feel at home.

Shana Tova,
happy new year
ronny
TelAviv