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Monday 18 June 2012

Iran: Bazaars of Shiraz


Iran: Vakeel Bazaar, Shiraz - Ramble and Wander

The most well-known bazaar in Shiraz is Vakeel Bazaar, which was first established as a market back in the 11th century. From what I could see, there’re a few bazaars scattered around the same area and further away from Vakeel Bazaar. Some areas in these bazaars are pretty colourful with carpets hanging over one’s head and on the walls. With table clothes and cushion covers donning the stalls. With dresses to be worn under those abayas, the black overalls.

With nuts and spices, and the nice aromas that entice and beckon us all.


Iran: Vakeel Bazaar, Shiraz - Ramble and Wander

Iran: Vakeel Bazaar, Shiraz - Ramble and Wander

Iran: Vakeel Bazaar, Shiraz - Ramble and Wander

And even when there’re black flags flying on the wall everywhere (in remembrance of the mourning months), these bazaars remained, to me, just as colourful because of the people. The sellers who said hello just to have a chat (and not to push for a buy). The passersby who stopped me just to find out if I’m from Japan (I wonder in what way I actually look like a Japanese? 😝) A small child who looked (up) and probably wondered if the tall guy is really a giant. The young girls who confidently walked up to me and asked for a snap on the camera, readily posing for me, in front of their parents no less. And the young, hard-working boy who reluctantly posed for me in front of his stall after being told to do so by his grandfather. 😁


Iran: Vakeel Bazaar, Shiraz - Ramble and Wander

In between, some offered me fruit cuts. Some others, a cup of tea. It’s not like the attention suddenly was all on me (although admittedly I probably stood out like a sore thumb 😅). It’s just them being genuinely friendly, and curious. It’s something that one probably doesn’t find every day in any other country. But here, it all comes off naturally. An experience that cannot be bought. If anything, it has taught me one thing. Sometimes we travel to see beautiful or simply popular places, but more often than not, we remember more about the various people that we meet during our travels.

And that's probably what I would remember the most, from this trip, for years to come.


Iran: Vakeel Bazaar, Shiraz - Ramble and Wander

Iran: Vakeel Bazaar, Shiraz - Ramble and Wander

Iran: Vakeel Bazaar, Shiraz - Ramble and Wander

Iran: Vakeel Bazaar, Shiraz - Ramble and Wander

Iran: Vakeel Bazaar, Shiraz - Ramble and Wander

Iran: Vakeel Bazaar, Shiraz - Ramble and Wander
Iran: Vakeel Bazaar, Shiraz - Ramble and Wander
Iran: Vakeel Bazaar, Shiraz - Ramble and Wander



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Iran: Vakeel Bazaar, Shiraz - Ramble and Wander

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For other blog entries on Iran, click here.




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10 comments:

Comments and feedback are always appreciated. So do leave one or two if you have the time. Thank you!

  1. At last you posted you full body shot photo here in your blog. Nice smile, and how much is that pink carpet ?

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  2. Haa..I can see faces now! Barulah ceria... I don't fancy shopping but the carpets are so beautiful...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bukan senang I nak ambil gambar org ni, eheh! Memang lagi suka ambil gambar bangunan & pemandangan :-)

      Re: carpet: Yup, they are beautiful! I was tempted to get one for myself but the one I bought in Damascus is still unopened yet.

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    2. Ha..ha..i have the same scenario, a box of non stick cooking pans and pots that i bought in Langkawi in 2010 is still nicely sealed..I bought it because i saw my friend (who went with me) borong habis..so i said to myself.."takkanlah aku x belik kot?"

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    3. Biasanya macam tulah kan? Thank goodness I could control myself. Biasanya tak terkontrol bab shopping2 ni, haha! ;-)

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  3. I'm hoping I can go to Iran some day to see the markets there! this wonderful combination of beautiful architecture and exquisite crafts. Nice post and great pictures! I'm linking to it here: http://indianbazaars.blogspot.in/2012/04/marketplaces-of-world-listing.html

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    Replies
    1. Hi, there! Thanks for the compliment and for the link. Yes, you should go there sometime if you have the chance. I'm hoping to post more entries on souqs and bazaars around the Middle East as I write more and more on countries around the region. So do come back again soon to check them out :-)

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  4. CIku pernah sampai iran di tehran,shiraz ,esfahan..memang unik dan cantik architecture nya..tapi tak pandai sangat nak stori dan snap pic yang cntik macm this blog.Perspolis antara yang ciku rasa cantik

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    Replies
    1. Wahhh! Best kan? Saya rasa mcm nak pergi sana lagi, tambah2 lagi ada kawan yg baru ke sana. Persepolis bagi saya mmg menarik, lagi menarik drp Acropolis di Athens.

      Yg pasal gambar dan bercerita tu, just keep on practicing & doing it your style lah. Setiap org ada gaya masing2. Saya pun masih belajar dan byk lagi yg kena belajar.

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