So I had some eggplants (BADEMJAN) and looked up some recipes. Now, this is how I felt after realizing I didn't have many necessary ingredients for most of the recipes:
This happens a lot. For example, I found a recipe for Pakistani style eggplant. Here's what I needed:
But here's what I actually had on hand:
So, instead of waiting around for my husband to go to the grocery store where he may or may not find all the ingredients, I just use what I have and make my own versions.
In the above pic you can see a type of bread called LAVASH:
"Lavash is made withflour,water, andsalt. The thickness of the bread varies depending on how thin it was rolled out. Toastedsesame seedsand/orpoppy seedsare sometimes sprinkled on before baking...Traditionally the dough is rolled out flat and slapped against the hot walls of a clay oven. While quite flexible when fresh, lavash dries out quickly and becomes brittle and hard."
"The bread is baked on a bed of small river stones in an oven. There are, normally, two varieties of this bread offered at Iranian bakeries: the generic one which has no toppings; and the more expensive variety which isseed bread(this is, topped withpoppy seedsand/orsesame seeds). Sangak bread was traditionally the bread of the Persian army. It is mentioned for the first time in the 11th century. Each soldier carried a small quantity of pebbles which at camp were brought together with the "sangak oven" and used to cook the bread for the entire army."
In other random food notes: Here's my favorite Iranian cookie:
Some Iranians drink their tea with sugar cubes, putting one in their mouth and then sipping their tea until it dissolves. I don't enjoy the texture of this method, but it's fun for some!
Another thing I noticed is that folks here may eat their french fries with a fork and put ketchup on their pizza (which usually has no tomato sauce on it!).
When we first moved here, I noticed a man's voice yelling loudly at all times of the day and night. I didn't know any of the words he was saying but the language of shouting can be universal, no? Of course it was disturbing so I asked my husband to investigate. Long story short, we realized the family members up there were just typical dramatic talkers, and that our apartment walls were thin! And after watching several Iranian drama shows, "loud conversing" between men and women is a common thing, hahaha.
The neighbor's across the hall have a very temperamental child who tantrums. Once they were having a birthday party for him. It lasted at least 8 hours. Lots of guests, lots of woohoo-ing, and lots of clapping! Next door to us is a family with a newborn baby. We can hear the child crying the way crying newborns do. I'm sure my family can get too loud at times as well. Sometimes I don't mind the noise because a lively atmosphere is fine. Most of the times, it's quiet during the day. But somedays when my family is all asleep around 11 PM, we can hear the neighbors in all corners making a ruckus. Sometimes sounds like running around, yelling, or even drilling. It's been quiet lately though so who knows why or what or when. That's apartment life.
If this was happening in America, I'd be complaining to my husband who might end up having to complain to the manager. But since we still feel like outsiders here, it's a lot less disturbing for some reason. It's like we're still outside, looking in. I sort of laugh it off and think, "Iranians are so lively and fun." But it does get annoying, yes. It's a good thing I have a pair of super duper ear plugs for sleeping at night!
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So Spring has sprung and it is hot in Iran. We fortunately have a 'water cooler air conditioner' which keeps us chill when it's working well. There are more flies getting into the apartment which I hate, but it is manageable. And of course flies got in our homes in America. This is just what's new around here. At least it's just house flies and not mosquitoes!
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There is a Presidential Election going on. Compared to the American elections, this one is not dragged out for years with long campaigns. The whole thing has lasted a few months. There have been 3 televised live debates. The candidates criticize each other but it is far more civilized than the mudslinging of the U.S. politics. While driving around, I notice people have put photographs of their choice on their car windows and there are larger posters hanging in public places for both the Presidential and local elections. The election is in a couple of days. Here's a sample of the debate which was shown on the English language Iranian channel PRESS TV:
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Oh, and here's a random clip of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE in Farsi, which is being shown here also. I love this show!
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So, while the Elections in Iran are far more dignified than in the States, there is one thing that is far more civilized in the States and that is the DRIVING. It is too scary here for someone who grew up with traffic flowing in a straight line and people waiting to cross the streets at a stop light. Here, "jaywalking" is the only way to get around. Families put their kids on the motorcycles with them, no helmets, just tight arms and good faith. As you are driving or even walking down the sidewalk, you may see a man on a motorbike driving towards you. My husband has been taking driving school here and it is no picnic. It's very strict and emphasizes safety and following the law. There are commercials on TV and posters all around the streets reminding the people to follow the safety rules. Yet, people do not follow the rules. At the same time, though there is a lot of honking of horns, there is not much road rage. I've never seen anyone yell at another. It's just a strange way of life. I will certainly never drive here, and thankfully my husband has nerves of steel, quick motor reflexes, eagle eyes, and lots of patience. Our car has seat belts, and we rarely go for a drive anyhow. There are also plenty of times when the roads are fine and the cars are straight in a row. By the way, the written driving test here is very difficult to pass especially if one's Farsi is not so perfect yet.
