The situation is like this. Due to the islamic rules, most of the socializing happens behind walls. Once you are outside you are confined in your own small circle (family, close friends). We mostly go out to restaurants in the evening, a group of 6-8 italians. This makes it pretty hard to make friends and/or talk to the locals.
Last weekend I woke up early in the morning and took the subway to a part in Tehran and walked about 8-10 miles, visited a park and a museum complex. I'll post pictures later.
This weekend I decided I would visit another parts of Iran. Italians always complain that they are bored on the weekends but don't do anything about it, and always go around with pre made plans. They planned a trip to some place, but took the airplane, and hotel on the other side in advance.
When you leave the hotel with the taxi waiting or you, and fly a couple of hours just to have another hotel waiting for you, there's not much exploration in it. It is such a cosy attitude, it gives no room for contact with the local life.
This wednesday night I packed two pairs of undies and socks, my camera and a guide of Isfahan, and went to the nearby bus station. All I knew is that there are buses leaving for Isfahan. My coworkers said I'm crazy to travel alone without any preparation.
In two days I've met a bunch of people, most of them young people being curious and wanting to take pictures with me.
