Isobel Williams reports on an eye-opening journey to Iran by globetrotter Chiara Herlemann, who was pleasantly surprised by the warmth and safety she found in a country often misrepresented in the media. Chiara Herlemann, a 28 year old German native now residing in Notting Hill, West London, embarked on a ten-day adventure through Iran from May 22 to May 31, visiting places like Kashan and Isfahan in the heart of the nation.
Despite initial trepidation about her safety fuelled by online reports, Chiara discovered a nation far removed from her expectations, describing it as welcoming and amiable. She recounted her experience: “I was very nervous to go and a lot of my friends were warning me that it was really dangerous.” Chiara’s preconceptions were shattered upon arrival: “When I got there, I was so surprised. Every time I saw something about Iran in the news it was just some blurry pictures that looked like North Korea.”
Her encounter with the Iranian people defied all misconceptions: “Everything was so different from what I expected. The people were so friendly. The men were helping me with my bags and making sure I was okay.” The traveller observed a contented population engaged in everyday activities: “People seem quite content there. They are getting on with normal life, picnicking, children were playing in ponds. There was no haggling or catcalling. It was just normal.”
Chiara, who works remotely for an investment firm, enjoys the flexibility her job offers, allowing her ample opportunity to explore the globe. Chiara, an intrepid traveller with a penchant for the road less travelled, has revealed her surprising experiences in Iran, challenging common misconceptions about the country.
She expressed her astonishment at the liberal attitudes towards women’s attire, noting that many did not cover their hair, contrary to popular belief. Chiara remarked: “There are definitely misconceptions. Mostly about women’s rights and people being supportive of the government. They are not extremists. The population is separate from the government.”
Her initial visit left her stunned as she observed: “I was also surprised that most of the women are without head scarfs. That was always in the news that women aren’t allowed to show their hair, but it was very different from what I thought.” She found Iran unexpectedly Westernised, commenting: “It is known as an Islamic country, but it doesn’t really feel like it, it was very westernised.”
Chiara felt completely at ease during her travels, stating: “As a woman you have an instinct when something isn’t right, and there wasn’t a single moment where I felt like that.” The Blue Mosque stood out as her favourite sight, while the kindness of the Iranian people and the local cuisine made lasting impressions on her.
Additionally, Chiara was taken aback by the visible effects of international sanctions on the country, with Iran having been one of the most sanctioned nations globally until Russia took over that position in February 2022. Upon her arrival in the sanctions-stricken Iran, Chiara encountered a hitch with her sim card which failed to operate, necessitating a swap.
Despite the sanctions, Chiara found the locals exceedingly gracious, suggesting that the restrictions have indeed rendered the nation “completely independent.” Her travels concluded before tensions escalated into warfare between Israel and Iran on June 13, although she picked up hints of impending conflict during her visit.
Chiara reflected, “The news was reporting that Israel might act, so that was always in the back of my mind. But it happened shortly after I left. I hadn’t expected it to actually happen.” Her adventurous exploit in Iran, shared through a TikTok video that has amassed over 400,000 views, is provocatively titled “POV: you landed in a country with a level 4 travel warning.”
With reactions split amongst her followers, many have expressed their newfound desire to explore Iran themselves, enchanted by its apparent allure showcased in her post. Chiara, who has not seen enough of Iran, confessed her aspirations to revisit and explore the liberal south where there’s an air of freedom for drinking and donning bikinis. She yearned for more time in the expansive land, concluding, “Iran is so big. I wish I had more time there.”