Kish (Day 2)
Today we got up early to eat breakfast. Over breakfast, we tried to plan out our events for the day, which was virtually impossible given the horrendous map that the hotel had given us. With a traditional Iranian lack of attention to detail, this thing had symbols and numbers that did not correspond to the key at all. We just decided to go to some of the malls, starting with what we were told was the biggest one – Paradise 2 Mall. We walked to this mall and marveled at the construction around us. Somewhere along this path, I decided to start a Chiropractic college on this island. Paradise 2 Mall was a beautiful mall. This one was far more organized and the stores, unlike the other malls, had proper merchandise display that was not too cluttered. This mall was connected to Paradise 1 Mall with a covered walkway. This mall was older and more indicative of a modern Iranian bazaar.
On the way back, we stopped at Olive Mall again before returning to the hotel. At the hotel, we had a lunch of bread and cheese that we had brought from Tehran and left in the fridge and had a heated debate about architecture and city planning. In the midst of this debate we stood over the bag of cucumbers and sour plums that my Aunt had given us and finished every last one. Iranians are very partial to cucumbers and anything sour as a snack or treat rather than sweets.
After taking a nap and waiting out the mid-day closings, my Dad and I decided to pursue separate activities. He went and rented a bicycle and rode around the eastern coast of the island. I went to Maryam Market to find out where to get a better map of the island. Just like everything else here, everyone gives you a different answer. The hotel directed me to the market, the market directed me to a newsstand behind an abandoned building across the street that didn’t exist, the cultural center nearby that I went into directed me to the Kish Airlines building across the street, and the information desk there said that the office I was directed to was closed and handed me the same crappy map that I already had but in English.
Venus Mall next door provided me an opportunity to check my email at one of its coffee nets and upload my latest journeys to my blog. I then went next door to bowl at Maryam Entertainment Complex. I had received a 25% off coupon from the hotel when we checked in, so I bowled for an hour for $15 U.S. The lanes were brand new but horrible. I think the surface was a synthetic plastic rather than varnished wood, and all the balls were drilled for bowlers that bowl straight. Needless to say, the ball had no rotation down the lane. The guys that I bowl with would probably say it’s because I always bowl bad, but even they would have to admit that my balls usually curve too much rather than not at all. All in all, it was a frustrating experience. There were a few guys on a lane a little ways down, and one of them worked at the alley. He kept coming over to my lane and looking over my shoulder as I bowled. It just added to my frustration. I think his intention was to be attentive and helpful, but his approach was different than what I have grown used to in the U.S. I have encountered this a few times since I’ve been here, and I’m still trying to get accustomed to it. I think by the time I am, I’ll be back in Houston.
After bowling, I headed back to the hotel but stopped at Olive Mall for one last look around. Back at the hotel, Dad and I caught up on our separate activities and then called it a night.
On the way back, we stopped at Olive Mall again before returning to the hotel. At the hotel, we had a lunch of bread and cheese that we had brought from Tehran and left in the fridge and had a heated debate about architecture and city planning. In the midst of this debate we stood over the bag of cucumbers and sour plums that my Aunt had given us and finished every last one. Iranians are very partial to cucumbers and anything sour as a snack or treat rather than sweets.
After taking a nap and waiting out the mid-day closings, my Dad and I decided to pursue separate activities. He went and rented a bicycle and rode around the eastern coast of the island. I went to Maryam Market to find out where to get a better map of the island. Just like everything else here, everyone gives you a different answer. The hotel directed me to the market, the market directed me to a newsstand behind an abandoned building across the street that didn’t exist, the cultural center nearby that I went into directed me to the Kish Airlines building across the street, and the information desk there said that the office I was directed to was closed and handed me the same crappy map that I already had but in English.
Venus Mall next door provided me an opportunity to check my email at one of its coffee nets and upload my latest journeys to my blog. I then went next door to bowl at Maryam Entertainment Complex. I had received a 25% off coupon from the hotel when we checked in, so I bowled for an hour for $15 U.S. The lanes were brand new but horrible. I think the surface was a synthetic plastic rather than varnished wood, and all the balls were drilled for bowlers that bowl straight. Needless to say, the ball had no rotation down the lane. The guys that I bowl with would probably say it’s because I always bowl bad, but even they would have to admit that my balls usually curve too much rather than not at all. All in all, it was a frustrating experience. There were a few guys on a lane a little ways down, and one of them worked at the alley. He kept coming over to my lane and looking over my shoulder as I bowled. It just added to my frustration. I think his intention was to be attentive and helpful, but his approach was different than what I have grown used to in the U.S. I have encountered this a few times since I’ve been here, and I’m still trying to get accustomed to it. I think by the time I am, I’ll be back in Houston.
After bowling, I headed back to the hotel but stopped at Olive Mall for one last look around. Back at the hotel, Dad and I caught up on our separate activities and then called it a night.
posted by Al Jameson, D.C. @ 5/19/2005 09:00:00 PM
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