I went to Iran to buy goods in May of this year.
When I tell customers about this, they ask me, "Isn't it dangerous? Is it okay?" However, I think the security situation in Iran is relatively good compared to neighboring countries.
A woman traveling alone from Sapporo whom I met at Tehran Airport told me that it was her third time in Iran, and when you actually go there, you'll find it to be such a fascinating country that after returning home, you'll be itching to go back again (the food is delicious, too).
This time we visited the capital Tehran and Shiraz, famous for its nomadic people.
From the moment I got off the plane in Shiraz, the wide blue sky was impressive. The Iranian people are friendly and usually easygoing and kind, but when it comes to business, they become completely strict.
It's common for neither party to listen to what the other is saying, and for them to just repeat their own opinions loudly and with gestures. And before you know it, the deal has been concluded and they're hugging. (As someone who doesn't understand the language, I have no idea what's happened and the sudden turn of events is quite eerie.)
The man I took a photo with was grumpy and sullen throughout the negotiations. However, once the negotiations were over, he suddenly calmed down and smiled as seen in the photo. He was a truly wonderful man, full of humanity.
(Excerpt from Layout News Letter Vol.1 (Published in 2017))