Travel Photo Report

It took me some time to create this post, because I was afraid that I have not gathered enough pictures so that you understand everything I want to say. But, I hope you will get my point anyway and trust my judgment. If not…well I guess you will just have to visit this lovely country and see for yourself.

When I arrived to Iran, the idea of wearing a hijab seemed very cool, exotic and I thought it will be an experience that will teach me something, what it means to be under the restriction of a dress code, what it means to lack the freedom of expressing yourself through your outfit. In Prague or other places in Europe, the way you dress sometimes tells a lot about yourself, and many people choose their clothes to speak for themselves about their mood, their feelings and personality. I like it, and I like seeing how people are different from each other, how personality is shown in the most funky outfits, and this is an art. But wearing a hijab seemed to me something unusual and I was actually looking forward to this new style I was about to adopt for 1 month. So exotic, I thought !

The moment we entered the country, I was very eager to see, more than anything else, the women of Iran. And that’s how my entire trip went, that’s all I mostly remember from Iran…how amazingly beautiful the women of Iran are. How much grace, how much elegance they have, how they have mastered the art of being beautiful under the restrictions of a dress code. They are the most beautiful women I have ever seen. And I confess that what seemed at the beginning a cool thing to do, wearing a hijab, it became at the end of my trip a burden. And if wearing it is not a personal choice, then my heart bends towards all the women who are obeying rules that do not represent their choices.

The pictures I have collected are surely not enough to express the immensity of their beauty, as I was busy staring with my mouth open many times and couldn’t focus on taking pictures of women who were passing by. Many times I felt uncomfortable to ask for pictures, as probably they would not understand why I am so fascinated about their beauty, and many were shy or embarrassed thinking they cannot be beautiful because of the hijab they have to wear. But to me they seemed even more beautiful.

The most common question I have been asked was how do I feel about wearing a hijab, what do I think about it, and most of them were telling me apologetic that it is not their choice to wear it but they have to… I thought maybe that’s the price they have to pay for this majestic beauty, a hijab.

And so, for all the women of Iran, I bow in front of your beauty, I bow in front of your grace, I bow in front of your everyday fight to conquer again the pride to be a beautiful woman. You are an inspiration to me!

About the Author: Mara