//persian-cat.de/

Dear Folks, during the last days I was following too many IC blogs that made me very sad indeed. There were talks about cultural genocide, iranian holocaust, very agressive discussions about Mozzadegh and the Shah and the Tudeh and the British and the Russians and the Germans and the Arabs and about whom of those to blame more for the current tragedy in Iran. I felt my confidence regarding a bright future of a new, free Iran vanishing more and more, since a new Iran requires pioneer spirits, rather than people feeling comfortable in their role as a victim. Don"t take me wrong, I think every nation should be aware of its history, but I would prefer this in a less emotional and more academic style. The worst example of how one could show historical awareness is probably the annual ʿĀšūrāʾ, where the feeling of martyrdom among Shiits is revitalized again and again and has a significant influence on the social life and political structure, usually not for the best.

I should finish this prolog and come to my main issue. In contrast to these very hate-loaded political blogs I mentioned above, there were - thanks God - also a few that showed the nice and beautiful side of life, like the poems by Soosan Khanoom and the JJs adventure with the horse. In particular the horse story and the very vivid discussion that followed made me wondering: Is it possible to travel Iran on a horses back ? How are the immigration rules, assuming I want to enter the country from the north (Armenia or Azerbaidshan). I have friends there and could get a horse in either of the two countries. Although I have a nice mare here in Germany, the long transport to Iran would be too stressful for her.

Will there be sufficient food for the horse ? Will people respect horses in Iran, assuming I have to cross or even ride along a motor-way ? In Germany, my horse has to wear a number-plate and a liability insurrance, if I ride along public road (not kidding). How is this in Iran ?

In Europe, dogs fouling is prohibited in public area (you can get fined up to about 1000 euro if your dog is messing up the street), whereas horse feces are well tollerated (although much bigger) and random pedestrains even collect it to fertilize their rose gardens. How is this in Iran ? Will people hate my horse if it drops feces on the street ? (the recent blog petition about killing stray dogs in Teheran made me slightly pessimistic). Historical, the Parthian Empire was famous for its arts of horse riding in the whole southern and eastern hemisphere. Is there something of this heritage left ? Or is this just another issue for the fight between persians and arabs for historical and cultural hegemonie over the domestication of horses ? Did horses arrived together with the Partians from the inner-asian regions and came to Arabia later, where they started the famous breeding ? Or was it vice versa ? Seeing forward to hear some of your comments and advises.