KHAYYAM in Tehran and Florence




Construction of Khayyam statues for Tehran and Florence enters final stage
Tehran Times Art Desk, Jan.10,11!
Making a pair of Khayyam statues, one of which is scheduled to be installed in Tehran and the other in Florence,FIRENZE, will soon be completed.
The Iranian sculptor Hossein Fakhimi began making the statues in 2000 with sponsorship from the Iranian Embassy in Rome

Happy New Year 2011

April 14 and Snow!!

I could not believe what I saw! April 14 and snow in Tehran! At the beginning when I opened my eyes, for a second, I supposed, it's a dream.
It was almost 7.30 a.m. when I had a look at the garden! I open the window and touched the leaves covered by snow! As usual a childish happiness from inside and a fresh weather make a better feeling!



There are some changes in global weather and the earth getting warmer, but we were not expecting in Tehran snow falling down in April 14.
Anyway, it was a wonderful morning, a surprise, although snow melts fast in these weather. The temperature probably the was around +3 and not so cold, but a winter jacket is necessary!
I went back to last year spring time in Bern when I was in Norooz lovely holidays with snow on about late March, which is not unusual in Bern! I always appreciate snow day and enjoy.

Due Italy From Bern

I was not thinking that after 3 days, I feel like to get back to work but Monday afternoon I had this feeling! My mind was around Carrara, I tried to skip, but a not pleasant feeling of missing something was all these days along with me! The company of my relatives could change the atmosphere but I would rather to make myself busy with business affairs!
I woke up sooner and we had the last breakfast of these days all together. The children, or better to say teenager students should go to the school about 7.30 and i left almost the same time! A cold breeze noticed me the temperature and I went fast to skip the traffic jam of the morning! I was alone and about seven hours of drive from Bern to Carrara!
When I was driving from Bern to Luzern the beauty of snow falling down create a beautiful scenery but after Luzern it became heavier. I stopped in Gottard for a while to refresh!

The car Fiat Sedici, was a right car for this weather, and I could enjoy of driving in a snowy day. I took some shots while driving with one hand and remembered a nice friend who was holding my cellphone in order to help me to drive properly by two hand!!! Such a lovely creature!

Yes, it was getting worth but I liked! When I passed the San Gottardo tunnel the weather changed softly and it stopped raining around Bellinzona.

A sunny day nearby Lugano certify that Spring has arrived. It may not be lush yet, but there are certainly signs!
The last one-hand driving and the last shot of today! The scenery was irresistible! A beautiful day started with n autumn chilly wind in Bern, winter snow on the way and now spring at Italian boarder!

I could see what early spring looks like at Lake Lugano ( Lago Di lugano ).

Last year when i was driving back to Carrara, arrived at 19.00 to Fidenza Village and today I took the opportunity to drive fast to have a lunch and then a visit for shopping in Fidenza Village - Welcome

When I parked the car It was almost lunch time and after lunch I feel like I did my duty! I had no the willing of shopping, and would rather to watch windows if I can find what I want!

My Norooz Holiday

Saturday night we went to the concert of one Iranian Pop singer, Shohreh, in Zurich. We could see Iranian Colony in Switzerland and the way they are gathering and enjoy! An energetic D.J. who knew is job made young people dancing from 20.00 untill 23.00 when she came about 23.00.
She is not my favorite singer but when the program offered I had no objection! No reason to refuse! It's holiday and I would rather to rest, not to think, just to see, listen and if it's possible,
smile!
Somehow, I was curious to see her and being in Iranian gathering to change a little bit!



Unfortunately smoking in indoor area still is not forbidden in Switzerland and the smell of smoke was really terrible and after one hour became boring! Boring for me but pleasant for others!
I have to admit that I am not a person for such a concert or at least at that night I was not in the mood of this sort of cocerts but there were so many people, came to to dance and enjoy!
Most of them were in right presentation almost like a family party, not screaming or getting drank with a none sense behaviours! Some people wanted to dance with her and She did not refused! She was trying to appear as a popular artist to sell more and was expert in her business, aged but active!
We left when the concert was going on!
The day after,I heard that the concert went up to 2.30a.m. She had more than 3 hours of non-stop performance!!!! It's unbelievable for a Fifty plus!

Sunday, all day long staying at home, going through internet, watching T.V. and walking around the town in Spiegel after an early dinner.
That was a long walk and a sincere talk between me, my cousin and his wife! The subject was their life and I took the role of a consultant! Sometimes it's not so bad! I enjoyed of all conversation and the moments!

Monday, the third day of my vacation more or less with the same strange feeling of other days. with a little bit of movement but easy going!
The program of evening was going to Fribourg, having a dinner in a Lebanese restaurant. The owner who was a friend, treated us very well. a wonderful dinner in a simple place!
That was the last hours of my holiday!

BIO

As a first day of Spring and Norooz, I had the chance to have a sightseeing in Bern and around the city. We arrived to Belp and I was alone for a walk in half an hour. Looking around to take photos and it was the first I captured on the first day of our New Year!

It seems a little bit sad for the first day of the year and reminds loneliness specially when there is a tree without leaves or fruits! Although the blue sky gives some hopes but it's too sad for today the first day of Spring!

In any case loneliness is a part of true life when there is nobody to understand you!

I was thinking to some flowers and instead of sitting in car and thinking I decided to walk around! Movement matches today and I concern there are a farm nearby!

It could be a warm house, a farm or a garden and means there are people who may love each other and try to keep everything on order! This scenery gives hope and it's more live!

In front of the house there was a field for chickens to grow up in free area. Bio Jughennen
A Bio farm.

There were different animals to be grown up in natural condition for more delicious eggs and meet. I do not think if vegetarian like this place, unless for eggs!

It was nice to be in this place, a natural place, look at the animals, enjoy the time with nature and looking for flowers! Flowers for most naturalized people to Vegetarian friends. Happy Norooz, happy spring time!

Attending New Year celebration

It was in my mind from couple of days ago to joint my cousin family in Bern to celebrate New year with them to have a real rest.
The flight from Tehran IKIA to Milam Malpensa was perfectly on time and as soon as I arrived I rent a car to drive to Switzerland.
It was the same route I took last year and a deep nostalgic feeling was coming back to me but the happiness of being in a Norooz gathering was forcing me to drive non stop and fast, up to speed limit for sure, to arrive to Zurich on time, where there was a gathering!
I was in Zurich about 11:45 but the problem was the address of the place which was only the name of a street in a big city!
When I reached the place they were surprised how I could find it while it could be easier if they send me the correct address before my trip and then through internet a map and a path was a simple job! Probably my cousin didn’t know either!
In any case I could manage to be in Iranian celebration and it was enough, after a hard working day and not sleeping hours before the flight, to be along with them.



A happy Norooz started and Iranian lunch after a long travel from Tehran to Milan and then Zurich was the best I could have! We left the party sooner to reach to Bern before rush hour time! All the effort for just for 2 hours mgathering! I believ e it worths and it's all because of Norooz.
Happy Norooz in Switzerland!

Happy Norooz

Iranian calendar turns on Sun and the New Year starts on first Second of the year, when the length of the day and night will become equal. So, every year, there is a different time to celebrate the New Year and this year, it begins at 15: 13: 39 Tehran time means 12:47:39. CET.
Iranian families would rather to celebrate it together and believe that at the beginning of new year nobody should be left out alone!
Norooz means New Year. Happy Norooz to Iranian and Persian language all over the world!

Valentine Day in Shanghai

Since many years ago, after revolution in Iran, Valentine night took its place in Iranian culture as well!
It was my first experience to stay such a night in China, although I was so busy for the fair but i didn't see so many movements for valentine night in my Hotel area in Pudung!
We had the occasion to have a meeting with fair administrator in the lobby of hotel and then continue to talk in the lobby with some friends!
Anyway I remembered last year but no dare to move myself! I accepted the reality in my life and to be honest with myself there is nothing interesting to me in a Valentine day in Shanghai!
The one who was with somebody last year may go to a new one this year when there is no meaning of a pure love and specially when people loves their dreams as a lover!
Happy friendship to everybody who is honest and sincere!

To Shanghai with Stress

It was a trip that I would rather to skip but apparently it's impossible. The 16th China International stone processing machinery and product exhibition, Stonetech 2009 Shanghai from Feb.15 - 18, 2009 is an important fair for Iranian as well and I was the one who encouraged people to exhibit and now when there are some problems, I can not skip!
A flight from Tehran via Dubai to shanghai takes about 14 hours, with a time difference of +4.5 we will be there almost early afternoon and in order to adjust the time difference going to work could be a right selection!
I had a busy schedule today, but I could manage everything to leave toward the airport on time but unfortunately my fellow passenger was too cool and lazy! He delayed half an hour while I was in the car waiting for him and then he had forgotten his passport!!
He went back home after some while and when we arrived, it was already late!
We were the last for boarding but we should make check in counter in such a way busy to kill the time if he arrives!
A big casino! He arrived when we had delivered all the luggage and there was no way to . delay anymore! The last second he delivered the passport to the counter and all of us sick and tired but he was smiling because succeed!
It’s a post from IKIA airport, one of the few airports providing free access!

Inauguration and Change

Since couple of days ago I tried to have a right planning for this afternoon, to watch the Inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama! Bush's leaving and Obama's coming, are two big events of today which has huge influence all over the world
Bush institutionalized violence, terror and his term brought bitterness and hardship for people of US and world. In last 8 years the world became unsafe and insecure for everybody! There was less trust among of nations, religions, races and colored skin people! The world economy collapsed and the fear of crisis became a nightmare for any business! Apparently the world needed a CHANGE!
The day, January 20 arrived and I was certain to be at both big events presence. One event is to end Bush's presidency as an important event for human history, and the other event which is happening among cheering and happiness of more than two millions people in Washington, is the beginning of Obama's presidency who has been selected with motto of CHANGE!
The Change has already started if we just remember that colored skin people didn’t have the right to sit next to the white skin in restaurants only four decades ago. It can be a new opportunity for the entire of the world!
Although it seems there are some people who prefer to ignore this opportunity to emphasize the leadership of anti American axis in the world, and also there are some other people who are looking for an enemy to solve America's problem all over the world!!
However today is an important day in the world history which most of the countries make ready themselves to benefit from these two events. It's just because of the importance of USA's influence in all over the world, and also it recommend people of other countries that in our age all the dreams could come true when there is a dream for a nation!
I watched Inauguration and enjoyed the differences which was impressive! I believe that we can trust Obama as a different president who can create a big CHANGE and leave a good name in the world history as good as Martin Luther king and Lincoln have done!

Some Words!

Sweet words are easy to say,
Sweet things are easy to buy,
But sweet people are difficult to find

Life ends when you stop dreaming,
Hope ends when you stop believing,
Love ends when you stop caring,
Friendship ends when you stop sharing.

So share this with whom ever you consider a friend.
To love without condition,
To talk without intention,
To give without reason,
And to care without expectation is the heart of a true friend...

Life is short, Break the rules,
Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly,
Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably,
And never regret anything that made you smile."

How a Happy New Year!



Today, second day of 2009 started but I am still not in a good mood! There is no the happiness of a new year because of so many reasons!
Although the begging of the year and almost nine months, were good time of my life but the wind of Autumn 2008, brought unpleasant events to my days!
And now the children of Gaza and the people of both sides under fire, are in front of my eyes. How do they celebrate new year when the fireworks is a nightmare for them! I have the experience of Iraqi rocket attacks in Tehran and all those terrible moments have their own place in my memories! Up to now more than 200 died in Gaza and we don't know when they will find the resolutions!
Among of all the new year greeting cards I liked those I posted. Both have black backgrounds and some lights. Obviously not only me but all of us, are looking for hopes to bring peace and happiness to our life!
We deserve a better life and hope to be fair to find the right way for living in peace together!

Happy 2009

First Snow

It started this afternoon and as usual I like to See it falling down. A childish happiness captured and encouraged me to go for a walk under the snow.
I remembered memories of last year that from the first snow I used to share it with a friend and finally we had the same experience, walking under the snow in Bern!
There was a childish happiness and a nostalgic sorrow! Alone under the snow, lonely and blue!
A strange feeling between happiness and sadness! Music, snow and driving and driving!
The same feeling of a drive on a slippy road from Interlaken to Bern while snow falling down and the road was white!


Memories are nice to recall and enjoy but to accept the reality, sometimes you better to see where you are!

Back to the Autumn

The flight back to Tehran by Iran Air, was on time this morning and the service good as well! and thinking that The Big 5 2008 is closed now. They will claim for sure that this year it was more successful and record breaking, but at least in stone sector what I heard from exhibitors was completely different! Almost 20-30% of last year and to me much lower than 2005 when i visited the show for the first time! It's obvious because of world wide crisis!
The progress in Dubai compare to 3 years ago was incredible and we have to admire the management of the country but it seems to be too crowded and commercial class!
They would like to prove that they can have what ever exist all over the world in Dubai but I can not understand why do we like to fight with the nature! Dubai means sand storm and hot weather1 nobody can change it! The climate of Dubai is different than Iran and Europe, so they are changing a lot to create one river or water fall or some hills to make a better place for living!
The reality of the city is streets plus building and most of the year people has to stay in closed area under air condition!
It could be a good idea to spend some days as vacation specially during winter time when you can enjoy the spring weather in Autumn and winter, but this is not enough for living in such a place!
The first morning when I was dreaming a drive from Maina Di Carrara to Lerici via Ameglia, I understood that I compare those two places im my mind and missing a real beauty of the nature!
So, welcome back to Autumn of Tehran from spring days of Dubai

Golf Club
I have been invited for a dinner in Golf Club of Dubai Festival City! It was a family gathering, a small surprising party for Alireza birth day planned by his wife and her brother! The table for six people had been set outside and a nice weather with a temperature around 18 C created a wonderful moment! A nice family, sincere people, good quality dinner and a breeze, all are available to forget the disaster of traffic jam and taxi hunting of the day!
The building was really amazing! The hotel is a perfect job in design, construction and interior design1 for any small item you can trace a reason. it's a master peace in art and architecture!


I don't think that outdoor area is usable more than 4 months per year but in any case here is a place with a good sightseeing that you can feel better, though if you concern you realize that the green of golf court, the spring, river and fountain all are artificial!

The show and show off

There are too many companies participated in Big Five but apparently not so many business around the fair as it was supposed to be! The world wide crisis affected the business in Dubai and a drop of 50 percent on value of the houses, create problem for the people who invested in construction business with the hope of a sharp increase and got some loans!
There are some families that bought a flat in Dubai to enjoy of their vacation in Emirate and obtain the residency in order to facilitate their trips to other countries ! And now the Emirate government changed the rules!! I believe that within next months the situation would be worse than now, if we consider that day by day the oil price is going down as well! It means less business from Arab states to Dubai!
Anyway, for my own business I had some meeting with my Italian clients who were supposed to come to Iran after the show, and they canceled their trip up to spring time! It's so clear why! Although I received some calls from those who didn't come to Big Five and business is almost acceptable up to spring tome!
The owner of an Omani marble factory who was wishing having a Lebanese meal encouraged Andrea to look for a Lebanese restaurant to be not far from the Fair and he recalled the one in Emirate Mall where is Ski Dubai!




It claimed to be the biggest indoor ski resort all over the world buy in any case it is artificial and seems to be a show off as you can see all around this show off!



On the way back to the fair an incredible traffic jam showed another face of the Town and later on when the time of the fair was over, fights of the crowd to catch a taxi, greedy drivers who were asking more than 2/3 time for a normal route, streets full of the car and some other non pleasant scenery were not match the show off!

Big Five Show

The event was the reason of the trip and some appointments was already planned! The flights to/fm Dubai were fully booked and I had not so many option!
I could catch the flight to Dubai on Monday afternoon and return on Thursday morning! It means 3 nights and 2 days, while it was better to stay 2 days and one night as a business trip!
The airport was so crowded and there were too many people from all over the world. It seems that Big Five is one of the biggest events in Dubai and there would be a lot of problems for the people who are coming for the show if the management is so wonderful as it was in the airport!!!
It took more than 2 hours to get out of the airport. I was really bored if there was not the pleasure of meeting Andrea, who has arrived at the same time from Muscat. Today was his Birthday, far from family!
The room was a Royal suite had been booked by Alireza, a young Iranian businessman, who is living in Dubai with his family and seems to be successful in marble and constriction sector.
Another friend who stay in the same hotel had already ordered dinner invited me to joint him for a short while! It was surprising seeing him with his Moldavian friend so relax while I was completely destroyed! Some Salad with them and then escaping to my room!

A sad journey back

Since couple of days ago I was trying to postpone our departure to Tehran from Tuesday to Friday to pay a visit to Venice on Wednesday! Finally I got the confirmation about 1.00 P.M. and decided to go back to Carrara after lunch!
We were almost ready to go when I noticed that the conversation over the phone brought a bad news! I understood that my uncle died in the hospital in Rasht! It was hard to believe but he died about 1.00 p.m. (3,30 local time) almost the same time I got the confirmation and canceled my flight of tomorrow to Iran!
So, some tears and driving slowly toward Carrara from Bern!
It was a pity that I could not meet him when he was in the hospital in Tehran! It was early afternoon of Sep.13 when I went to the hospital to see him in I.C.U. but a telephone call from Italy took half an hour time and then the visiting time was over! I had a bad feeling when I was going back to the office from hospital. A feeling of loosing somebody!
The bitter taste of that phone conversation and the heavy atmosphere of hospital on Sep 13, were coming back to me while I was driving back to Carrara from my cousin's house in Bern.
It was the same thoughts of the evening I had the flight to Italy but that moment I could call to hear my uncle to replace the bad feeling of loosing somebody with a hope! I could change my mind after a nice talk to h[m who was at home and feel better!
It was the first time that I called my uncle prior to my trip and became the last talk!
Anyway, I used to look for a right solution in tough situation! No way to get back! We have to accept the reality to live calm in peace

On the Roof

Monday morning shops are open in Bern and it could be a good time for those who would like to have a look at the windows or going for shopping.
The big problem in city centre, is park place and most of the time, we can find a right place by chance! Because of the experience of last trip, I had in mind to go to Casino parking lot, but on the way toward Parliament I found a right place to park and charged for two hours.
Then sightseeing instead of shopping and looking after the one has been lost!I was by myself in my mind and chasing the memories of last spring in Bern, in a golden Autumn day!
The fall makes the nature colorful and among of the scenery, behind the Parliament I found a building different and interesting to me!



Obviously the roof is different and I admired them who are living in green and would like everything green even the roof!
Apparently it became a new memory of today and I concern what's this building for!

A Soft Spot in Heart



Tourism has played an important role in Swiss history, and Interlaken as a tourist town, seems an overgrown villages became a tourist hub without turning into a new face. You will find cows and sheep on the outskirts, and there are few high-rises, motels, and fast-food joints to spoil the landscape. It 's Swiss culture not to follow others just respect!



There are paved footpaths along lakes suitable for everybody, whether you are a walker or a experienced trekkers. I needed to walk, before the weather turns dreary!
I have had all day long a soft spot in my heart for something, not just because of the area. Rather, It's because these two towns are most memorizing places, where I was just for my life, no business at all!

Happy hours in Interlaken

Going ahead in Staatsstrasse toward Interlaken was a better route and shorter for us. The road passes from Lake side and the scenery is amazing! I also remembered last time it was dark and I was going to wrong direction. Today I had the chance to see it at light and with the memories of last time to compare my days!! Somtime it's like that.



Interlaken lies between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and the name means its situation.



When we arrived to the town it was late afternoon, about Happy Hours time!



My last visit of Interlaken was another afternoon, about the same time, but after taking bath in thermal water in Bern, named SOLBAD & SPA where I had one of the best days of my life. It was snow falling down and I was in outdoor swimming pool.
What a extraordinary experience for me!



It seems that the time already passed, Autumn arrived and the story is over, but always when we concern we can understand that all depend on our definition.
How ever Autumn in another way is a beginning and the winter is not a season for closing down everything because of cold. We can see always spring in our autumn if just we have a good look! Enjoy Roses even its name sounds better!
That was my thoughts when I was walking and captured following shot. Red Reses t0 those lovers who treat themselves better!

Lake Thun ( Thuneresse )

The Lake (German: Thunersee) is a lake just north of the Alps, took its name from the city of Thun which is on its north shore.


A view of Thun Lake from Wikipedia
.


This part of the lake, used to be my favorite place to come and rest for a while when ever we are in Thun, unless last btime because of vsnow!
It's a point in Staataatrasse and as a beach is too crowded during summer time.



We stay more than two hours, taking some shots, chatting and enjoying sightseeing and then noticed a palace other side of the street!

THUN's Autumn

A sunny Sunday in a colorful Autumn day for whoever loves the natural beauties, is a great pleasure. More over in Thun, the beautiful peaceful town, where you can see everything of the real Switzerland and its culture. It's located about 35 km far from Bern or half an hour of drive!


There are little covered bridges crossing the river, and openable dams beneath the bridge to control the water level.

Beautiful Autumn scenery's of Thun could not substitute the scenes coming back to me from last trip of last March.

There was also snow falling down and for me as a person who loves the nature, walking with good friends under the snow on beginning of spring, became the most memorizing moments and last for ever!

A view from covered bridge of above dam in such a way I looked at!

And on my way I got this shot to be presented to the couples who were not available at that time! It's beginning of Autumn and there are many flowers around everywhere.

This flowers should be imagine with a right person in between and I would like to send thousand of them to the one who has a beautiful soul!