Day: March 10, 2006

The first stage in Iran and the 6000 km mark.

Departure from Bazargan was chaotic because there is a free zone for 2 kilometers and some overzealous people wouldn’t let us go back to the border, the point were Serge finished yesterday.  The most difficult thing to understand is that yesterday evening, while we were waiting for Serge, our 4 wheel drive was able to go there and return with no problem.  But, this morning it wasn’t possible.  Medhi, our guide, joined us yesterday evening and this morning he went to look for a truck that would take Serge back 2 kilometers so he could start at his departure point.  This meant 25 minutes lost because we continued to hope that the situation would loosen up.  It didn’t! 

This city of Bazargan is not a nice place to stop, as is often the case with border towns.  It subsists primarily on trafficking of all sorts and you are constantly approached from every side: it’s a very stressful atmosphere and we are leaving without regret.

Serge went through the city of Maku, after 22 km.  This town is boxed in between two red-rocked mountains.  It’s splendid.  We witnessed a military parade of youths in uniform and armed who were going to Friday prayers.  These prayers have two parts: The Imam first gives the rules of the charia, then in the second part talks about international politics. Many vehicles stopped to asked Serge if everything was OK, at least he supposed that because he can’t always understand what people are saying.  After Maku, we decided to leave the main road and go toward Shot and that is where things got tough for Serge, who went through gorges followed by the 4 wheel drive, while the camper took a more accessible route.  We lost sight of each other for about two hours, and miraculously met in Shot. Serge was at 49.5 kilometers, 4.2 km from the 6000 km mark.  We left quickly to set up our luminous sign on a small road with snowcapped mountains in the background. 

6000 km in 82 days 44 minutes et 40 seconds

This evening we found shelter at the home of the Alipour family, who live in Marganlar, and who welcomed our whole caravan in the courtyard of their home.  They gave us a big room in which to sleep, as well as a shower and toilet.  We drank 3 or 4 glasses of tea, which were regularly offered during the evening.

Joël prepared our dinner and we ate sitting on a mat on the floor: the only exception being Serge who had the right to his armchair because he can’t remain seated on the ground.

The fuel heaters were a great comfort and gave us a very pleasant temperature by which to eat, sleep and wash, because even though we were not at such a high altitude, the nights remain cold.

English translation by Lee Hecht