I arrived into Tehran not knowing exactly how my trip was going to unfold. My friend Reesa had a classmate (Sara) who’s father (Dr. Mohammad Housseni) was living in Iran and offered to help me with my journey. At the time of our email correspondence while I was in London, I was under the impression he would help me with the accommodation in Tehran and then send me on my way, which I was prepared to do. In the end, him and his staff went out of their way by linking me with various colleagues and guides in the various Iranian cities I wanted to visit, which made my stay incredibly easy.
Mr. Manouchehr Housseni picked me up at the airport and dropped me off at the guest apartment that was above the Applied Foods Research Institute, in which Dr. Housseni was the Director. It was a nice flat to base myself out of. I enjoyed the company and help of Manouchehr, Arman, Amir, and Bahrom – who took me around the various sites in Tehran. It is a massively sprawled city, hot, and heavy with car and air pollution. It was tortuous and difficult to go around the capital. For that reason alone, I am forever grateful to have the company and assistance I had while in Tehran.