Iran

Perfect 30 days in Iran, part 4: Iranian hospitality

I visited Kurdistan because of the people. I have read the most incredible stories, and I wanted to experience even more of the amazing Iranian hospitality. The people of Iran are among the nicest in the world!

Perfect 30 days in Iran, part 3: The magnificent architecture

By Coni / 12 Comments / Asia / Iran

Visit mosques and shrines with incredible mosaics and mirror works; royal palaces that have nothing to envy to their European counterparts; and historical sites that tell you about the importance that Iran has had for millennia

Perfect 30 days in Iran, part 2: The breathtaking nature

By Coni / 14 Comments / Asia / Iran

Iran’s nature is breathtaking. Who knew? Among the best places to visit in Iran you’ll find deserts and islands, and you’ll discover a whole new world. The Lut desert is the hottest place on earth, and Hormuz is a tiny island with more diversity than you could dream of!

Perfect 30 days in Iran, part 1: Itinerary and my impressions on the country

By Coni / 38 Comments / Asia / Iran

I spent the perfect 30 days in Iran, exploring this sub-continent as a solo female traveler, seeing breathtaking sights and meeting the most hospitable people ever… Read all my insights and discover Tehran with me.

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My name is Coni. I’m a Chilean Human Rights lawyer turned travel writer and photographer, using my skills in political analysis to bring you insights from around the world. For many years I’ve been looking for the most interesting travel experiences, so I came up with a bucket list with the best 201. Here I’m writing about them, while trying to spread mindfulness, inspiration and knowledge. Expect off the beaten path (even within the classics), and always a focus on sustainability. Join the journey!

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🚂 Train across Tanzania: crossing the country (twice) by railway! Do you remember my stories from the two crazy train rides I took in Tanzania? The blog post is finally live! 🌟 ✍️ There are two infamous train lines in Tanzania. Most locals refer to them as “the crappy railways”. Yes, I took both. 26 hours on the first ride to cross the country in the south, east to west. 45 hours in the next ride to cross the country again, but this time from the north-west to the south-east. It was grueling, but worth it. Why, you ask? Three reasons. These are two of Africa’s last true great railway journeys, and I couldn’t pass the opportunity for an adventure like this. To experience how the locals travel (I was the only mzungu –white person– on board both times). And to see places on the way I would have never seen if I took a plane instead. Plus, I got a cool story to tell you. So all aboard, let’s take a train across Tanzania! ______________________ #traintravel #traintrip #tanzania #tanzaniaunforgettable #mindfultravel #travelwithpurpose #tanzaniatravel #tanzaniaphotography #tanzaniatourism #visittanzania #offthebeatenpathtravel #travelbucketlist #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #recorriendoelmundo #borntoexplore #allaboutadventure #roamwild #viajera #solofemaletraveler #travelhappy #instaviajes #passionfortravel #wanderlusters #travelpassport #passportlife #backpackersintheworld #sheisthewild #journeyofgirls

experiencingtheglobe

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🚂 Train across Tanzania: crossing the country (twice) by railway!

Do you remember my stories from the two crazy train rides I took in Tanzania? The blog post is finally live! 🌟

✍️ There are two infamous train lines in Tanzania. Most locals refer to them as “the crappy railways”. Yes, I took both. 26 hours on the first ride to cross the country in the south, east to west. 45 hours in the next ride to cross the country again, but this time from the north-west to the south-east. It was grueling, but worth it.

Why, you ask? Three reasons. These are two of Africa’s last true great railway journeys, and I couldn’t pass the opportunity for an adventure like this. To experience how the locals travel (I was the only mzungu –white person– on board both times). And to see places on the way I would have never seen if I took a plane instead. Plus, I got a cool story to tell you. So all aboard, let’s take a train across Tanzania!

______________________

#traintravel #traintrip #tanzania #tanzaniaunforgettable #mindfultravel #travelwithpurpose #tanzaniatravel #tanzaniaphotography #tanzaniatourism #visittanzania #offthebeatenpathtravel #travelbucketlist #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #recorriendoelmundo #borntoexplore #allaboutadventure #roamwild #viajera #solofemaletraveler #travelhappy #instaviajes #passionfortravel #wanderlusters #travelpassport #passportlife #backpackersintheworld #sheisthewild #journeyofgirls

6 days ago

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1/9

I constantly think of how much easier it would be to travel the world if I were a man. How much safer I would feel. How many more opportunities I would have. How much freer I would be. But then reality hit me. As a white, western woman, I have a lot of privileges that other girls can only dream of. I’ve heard horror stories from a Chinese friend, from a few African American friends, and from plenty of friends from Latin America with darker skin. I guess the grass is always greener on the other side, until we take a better look at how green our own grass is. Do you think men have it easier? Is there any aspect of traveling which is easier for women? ________________________ #privelege #whiteprivilegeisreal #travelwithpurpose #mindfultravel #happinessproject #femaletravelbloggers #solofemaletravel #sofetravel #chileantravelbloggers #chilenas #travelbloggerlife #travelbloggerlifestyle #recorriendoelmundo #weareallthesame #weareallinthistogether #travelwriting #changingtheworld #changethenarrative #seekmoments #travelexperience #travelexperiences #travelette #shewanders #citizenfemme #journeyofgirls #viajera #shetravels #solofemaletraveler #sheisthewild #zanzibarbeach

experiencingtheglobe

•

I constantly think of how much easier it would be to travel the world if I were a man. How much safer I would feel. How many more opportunities I would have. How much freer I would be.

But then reality hit me. As a white, western woman, I have a lot of privileges that other girls can only dream of. I’ve heard horror stories from a Chinese friend, from a few African American friends, and from plenty of friends from Latin America with darker skin.

I guess the grass is always greener on the other side, until we take a better look at how green our own grass is.

Do you think men have it easier? Is there any aspect of traveling which is easier for women?

________________________

#privelege #whiteprivilegeisreal #travelwithpurpose #mindfultravel #happinessproject #femaletravelbloggers #solofemaletravel #sofetravel #chileantravelbloggers #chilenas #travelbloggerlife #travelbloggerlifestyle #recorriendoelmundo #weareallthesame #weareallinthistogether #travelwriting #changingtheworld #changethenarrative #seekmoments #travelexperience #travelexperiences #travelette #shewanders #citizenfemme #journeyofgirls #viajera #shetravels #solofemaletraveler #sheisthewild #zanzibarbeach

1 week ago

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2/9

9 random things that caught my attention during my 9 weeks in Tanzania: All the school kids who attended public school, girls and boys, have to shave their heads and wear uniforms. This is done so there are less noticeable differences, and so they focus on studying instead of looks. The women bend in half. Alright, that sounded a bit off, but it’s true. Instead of squatting, they bend. To wash clothes, to cut grass, to harvest veggies, it doesn’t matter. Their bumps are in the air a lot, and that’s why they wear long sarong-like fabric tied around their waist. Goods are transported on top of the head, especially by women. I’ve seen how they need help to pick things up due to the weight, but once they’re on the heads, the women walk effortlessly. I’ll never understand this sorcery! The markets come to you when riding a bus or train. All the shopping is done through the window. I’ve gotten bananas, corn in the cob, hard-boiled eggs, oranges, cashews and popcorn. But the offer extended to skewers of some meat, cookies, socks, jewelry, sodas, bags of raw ginger, samosas, tomatoes, sliced bread, mobile phone accessories, luggage, and pineapples. There’s garbage everywhere. People just throw everything to the floor, from banana peals to plastic bottles, so the side of the roads are filled with garbage. Such a shame that people don’t see this as a problem! The boda bodas (motorcycle taxi) and the bajaji (tuk-tuk) can transport anything, no matter the size. Have a 4-meter log you need to take to the next town? No problem, just somehow hold on for dear life. The most ubiquitous question is how many kids you have. If your answer (as mine) is zero, be prepared for pity looks and endless inquiries into why. Babies are carried in the back. Women don’t have the privilege to carry them in their chests, since they have to carry on with their daily tasks, even with a newborn. The skill to wrap them up is something that I can’t get over. I’m in awe every time. Religion manifests in the means of transportation. Dala dalas and bajaji are thoroughly decorated with calls to God and Allah, from ‘Allahu Akbar’ to ‘In God we trust’.

experiencingtheglobe

•

9 random things that caught my attention during my 9 weeks in Tanzania:

All the school kids who attended public school, girls and boys, have to shave their heads and wear uniforms. This is done so there are less noticeable differences, and so they focus on studying instead of looks.

The women bend in half. Alright, that sounded a bit off, but it’s true. Instead of squatting, they bend. To wash clothes, to cut grass, to harvest veggies, it doesn’t matter. Their bumps are in the air a lot, and that’s why they wear long sarong-like fabric tied around their waist.

Goods are transported on top of the head, especially by women. I’ve seen how they need help to pick things up due to the weight, but once they’re on the heads, the women walk effortlessly. I’ll never understand this sorcery!

The markets come to you when riding a bus or train. All the shopping is done through the window. I’ve gotten bananas, corn in the cob, hard-boiled eggs, oranges, cashews and popcorn. But the offer extended to skewers of some meat, cookies, socks, jewelry, sodas, bags of raw ginger, samosas, tomatoes, sliced bread, mobile phone accessories, luggage, and pineapples.

There’s garbage everywhere. People just throw everything to the floor, from banana peals to plastic bottles, so the side of the roads are filled with garbage. Such a shame that people don’t see this as a problem!

The boda bodas (motorcycle taxi) and the bajaji (tuk-tuk) can transport anything, no matter the size. Have a 4-meter log you need to take to the next town? No problem, just somehow hold on for dear life.

The most ubiquitous question is how many kids you have. If your answer (as mine) is zero, be prepared for pity looks and endless inquiries into why.

Babies are carried in the back. Women don’t have the privilege to carry them in their chests, since they have to carry on with their daily tasks, even with a newborn. The skill to wrap them up is something that I can’t get over. I’m in awe every time.

Religion manifests in the means of transportation. Dala dalas and bajaji are thoroughly decorated with calls to God and Allah, from ‘Allahu Akbar’ to ‘In God we trust’.

2 weeks ago

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3/9

Moments from Stone Town, Zanzibar 🌟 Although what brings people to Zanzibar are the beaches, my favorite part is the town: the faces, the diversity, the doors, the colors, the layers, the flavors, the history. I took hundreds of pictures, but for some reason or another, these ones speak to me. Do the say anything to you? _______________________ #stonetown #zanzibar #zanzibarisland #zanzibarlife #zanzibardestination #zanzibarbeautiful #zanzibartanzania #zanzibarphotography #zanzibartravel #zanzibardoors #travelbucketlist #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #recorriendoelmundo #borntoexplore #viajera #solofemaletraveler #tanzaniaunforgettable #tanzaniatravel #tanzaniaphotography #tanzaniatourism #visittanzania #natgeoyourshot #chileantravelbloggers #travelbloggerlife #thedreamytravels #traveldreamseekers #passionfortravel #wanderlusters #backpackersintheworld

experiencingtheglobe

•

Moments from Stone Town, Zanzibar 🌟

Although what brings people to Zanzibar are the beaches, my favorite part is the town: the faces, the diversity, the doors, the colors, the layers, the flavors, the history.

I took hundreds of pictures, but for some reason or another, these ones speak to me. Do the say anything to you?

_______________________

#stonetown #zanzibar #zanzibarisland #zanzibarlife #zanzibardestination #zanzibarbeautiful #zanzibartanzania #zanzibarphotography #zanzibartravel #zanzibardoors #travelbucketlist #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #recorriendoelmundo #borntoexplore #viajera #solofemaletraveler #tanzaniaunforgettable #tanzaniatravel #tanzaniaphotography #tanzaniatourism #visittanzania #natgeoyourshot #chileantravelbloggers #travelbloggerlife #thedreamytravels #traveldreamseekers #passionfortravel #wanderlusters #backpackersintheworld

3 weeks ago

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4/9

experiencingtheglobe

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Today is my birthday! 🥳

I’m entering the second half of my thirties with so much gratitude for all my privileges (and feeling not a day older than 28!).

I was lucky to be born in a part of the world and to a family that allows me to do what I want, think how I want, go where I want, love who I want, dress how I want, and be who I want to be. The amazing parents that I got, the powerful passport that I hold, the opportunities to study and to learn languages, never having had any needs… the amount of privilege is just overwhelming!

So today I celebrate while traveling to a new country, empowered by the mission of keep creating content about the amazing places I visit and writing opinion pieces with a critical approach to the issues that we face around the world.

If you want to help me celebrate, you can do it by spreading the word. Send an article from my blog to someone that might be interested (or share my insta profile). I want to show the world, one person at the time, that we might have different traditions, upbringing and believes, but we are just one human race: we are all the same!

______________________

#privilege #happinessproject #travelwithpurpose #mindfultravel #femaletravelbloggers #solofemaletravel #sofetravel #chileantravelbloggers #chilenas #travelbloggerlife #travelbloggerlifestyle #recorriendoelmundo #weareallthesame #weareallinthistogether #birthdaywish #travelwriting #changingtheworld #changethenarrative #seekmoments #travelexperience #travelexperiences #travelette #shewanders #citizenfemme #journeyofgirls #viajera #shetravels #solofemaletraveler #sheisthewild #privileged

3 weeks ago

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5/9

Living with the Masai in the Tanzanian bush is not for the faint-hearted, but it’s an amazing window into Masai culture. During my days with the Masai I learnt about their worldview, the gender roles, the upbringing of the children, their initiation into adulthood, blood drinking, and much more. Join me through my tale into a fascinating tribal world. The post is now live! Link in my bio ✍️ ____________________ Credits (and a big thank you!) for editing the video to @germanroumat #masai #maasaitribe #lifeinthebush #ruraltanzania #onceinalifetimeexperience #indigenouspeople #truerurallife #onewithnature #masaichildren #masaiwomen #sheisthewild #roamwild #tanzaniaunforgettable #masaiculture #travelwithpurpose #livewithpurpose #mindfultravel #mindfultraveler #femaletravelblogger #chileantravelbloggers #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #recorriendoelmundo #borntoexplore #allaboutadventure #adventuretravels #allaboutadventure #adventurealways #adventurers #viajera #solofemaletraveler

experiencingtheglobe

•

Living with the Masai in the Tanzanian bush is not for the faint-hearted, but it’s an amazing window into Masai culture. During my days with the Masai I learnt about their worldview, the gender roles, the upbringing of the children, their initiation into adulthood, blood drinking, and much more.

Join me through my tale into a fascinating tribal world. The post is now live! Link in my bio ✍️

____________________

Credits (and a big thank you!) for editing the video to @germanroumat

#masai #maasaitribe #lifeinthebush #ruraltanzania #onceinalifetimeexperience #indigenouspeople #truerurallife #onewithnature #masaichildren #masaiwomen #sheisthewild #roamwild #tanzaniaunforgettable #masaiculture #travelwithpurpose #livewithpurpose #mindfultravel #mindfultraveler #femaletravelblogger #chileantravelbloggers #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #recorriendoelmundo #borntoexplore #allaboutadventure #adventuretravels #allaboutadventure #adventurealways #adventurers #viajera #solofemaletraveler

3 weeks ago

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6/9

What’s happiness to you? On his book ‘Through Sand and Snow’, @cwexplore revives an encounter with Bruce, an Australian cyclist who reflects on the differences of each journey. “You’re on yours an’ I’m on mine. Every adventure’s different, mate. There’s more’n one way t’ skin a cat.” I think that those simple words are much more profound that they seem (even more when you get the Aussie accent out of the way). It’s not only about the way we travel, but the way we live our lives. I asked Yayai, @masai_story’s mother-in-law, what makes her happy. She immediately replied “my life with my children and my cows”. It warmed my heart to hear that, because those are the main pillars of her life. As for me, what makes me happy is changing minds. Western media has us living in a bubble in which we think that everyone that’s different is an enemy. These biases make us look at places with distrust. After hearing over and over again how “they” are against “us” we end up living a life full of fear. Fear of our own, because we might have different traditions and believes, but we are just one human race. We are all the same! I travel to spread that message. To meet different people and worldviews, and to highlight the similarities. To open up people’s minds. One at the time. My source of happiness is completely different from that of Yayai. Our journeys in life a radically different too. But when our paths crossed, we found common ground: kindness and understanding. And that’s what I think the world needs. What makes you happy? _____________________ #happinessproject #happinesseverywhere #taketheleap #freedomseeker #choosehappiness #travelwithpurpose #livewithpurpose #mindfultravel #mindfultraveler #masai #maasaitribe #lifeinthebush #ruraltanzania #onceinalifetimeexperience #indigenouspeople #truerurallife #onewithnature #masaiwomen #sheisthewild #roamwild #masaiculture #travelette #shewanders #journeyofgirls #tribalphotography #weareallthesame #sofetravel #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #chileantravelbloggers

experiencingtheglobe

•

What’s happiness to you?

On his book ‘Through Sand and Snow’, @cwexplore revives an encounter with Bruce, an Australian cyclist who reflects on the differences of each journey. “You’re on yours an’ I’m on mine. Every adventure’s different, mate. There’s more’n one way t’ skin a cat.”

I think that those simple words are much more profound that they seem (even more when you get the Aussie accent out of the way). It’s not only about the way we travel, but the way we live our lives.

I asked Yayai, @masai_story’s mother-in-law, what makes her happy. She immediately replied “my life with my children and my cows”. It warmed my heart to hear that, because those are the main pillars of her life.

As for me, what makes me happy is changing minds. Western media has us living in a bubble in which we think that everyone that’s different is an enemy. These biases make us look at places with distrust. After hearing over and over again how “they” are against “us” we end up living a life full of fear. Fear of our own, because we might have different traditions and believes, but we are just one human race. We are all the same!

I travel to spread that message. To meet different people and worldviews, and to highlight the similarities. To open up people’s minds. One at the time.

My source of happiness is completely different from that of Yayai. Our journeys in life a radically different too. But when our paths crossed, we found common ground: kindness and understanding. And that’s what I think the world needs.

What makes you happy?

_____________________

#happinessproject #happinesseverywhere #taketheleap #freedomseeker #choosehappiness #travelwithpurpose #livewithpurpose #mindfultravel #mindfultraveler #masai #maasaitribe #lifeinthebush #ruraltanzania #onceinalifetimeexperience #indigenouspeople #truerurallife #onewithnature #masaiwomen #sheisthewild #roamwild #masaiculture #travelette #shewanders #journeyofgirls #tribalphotography #weareallthesame #sofetravel #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #chileantravelbloggers

4 weeks ago

View on Instagram |

7/9

At first glance it might seem like the Masai children don’t have much. They play with the sand and around the bush, with makeshift toys. They run around barefooted. They wear a simple piece of fabric tied over one shoulder, and hoodies that have seen better days when it’s cold. But looking closer it’s easy to see that the have a marvelous childhood. They grow up free and happy, having many cousins to play with, and an unlimited backyard to explore. Their lives are one with nature, learning from early on the importance of caring for the environment and the wildlife. They’re sweet, lighthearted, curious, and full of energy. A true delight to have around! _________________________ #travelstories #beyondordinary #africanchildren #tribalphotography #africanheritage #masai #maasaitribe #lifeinthebush #ruraltanzania #onceinalifetimeexperience #indigenouspeople #truerurallife #onewithnature #masaichildren #roamwild #tanzaniaunforgettable #masaiculture #tanzaniatravel #countrysidelife #offthebeatenpath #offthebeatenpathtravel #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #recorriendoelmundo #borntoexplore #adventuretravels #traveldreamseekers #experienceseekers #yourshotphotographer #yourshotphotography

experiencingtheglobe

•

At first glance it might seem like the Masai children don’t have much. They play with the sand and around the bush, with makeshift toys. They run around barefooted. They wear a simple piece of fabric tied over one shoulder, and hoodies that have seen better days when it’s cold.

But looking closer it’s easy to see that the have a marvelous childhood. They grow up free and happy, having many cousins to play with, and an unlimited backyard to explore. Their lives are one with nature, learning from early on the importance of caring for the environment and the wildlife.

They’re sweet, lighthearted, curious, and full of energy. A true delight to have around!

_________________________

#travelstories #beyondordinary #africanchildren #tribalphotography #africanheritage #masai #maasaitribe #lifeinthebush #ruraltanzania #onceinalifetimeexperience #indigenouspeople #truerurallife #onewithnature #masaichildren #roamwild #tanzaniaunforgettable #masaiculture #tanzaniatravel #countrysidelife #offthebeatenpath #offthebeatenpathtravel #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #recorriendoelmundo #borntoexplore #adventuretravels #traveldreamseekers #experienceseekers #yourshotphotographer #yourshotphotography

1 month ago

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8/9

Masai life (excerpt of my coming post about living in the bush with the Masai!) In Tanzania the hours of the day are measured in a different way. The counting starts at 6 AM. The first hour is counted when the day starts, with sunrise. Accordingly, 12 is our 6 PM, ending the day with sunset. The Masai life, like that of most living in the countryside, follows the sun too. With sunrise the movement starts. The women milk the cows and make sweet, milky chai. The calves, and the baby goats and sheep stay in the boma while the adult animals are taken for feeding and drinking in the surrounding savannah. The men comfortably whistle instructions to the cattle, helping themselves with a wooden stick that always accompanies them. In the meantime, the women are busy, as always. The have to fetch water, firewood, and vegetables to cook. They make a humble –but full of work– breakfast, lunch, and dinner, usually consisting of ugali, a vegetable stew, and chai. After feeding the adults and older boys that go off with the cattle, they feed the many children, and wash up all the pots, plates, and cups. Even if their day started at 6, they don’t get a break until after lunch. The few hours they have in the afternoon before the men go back are spent in the sun, catching up with the other women, working on some crafts, and playing with the children. The men come back mid-afternoon and the work starts again. Feeding everyone, milking the cows, washing up. The day starts wrapping up with the young kids making a bonfire and enjoying the warmth while the last rays of lights give way to the stars. They eat and go to sleep. By 9 o’clock all that can be heard are the animals mooing and bleating. Which is, oddly, a lovely lullaby to fall asleep to.

experiencingtheglobe

•

Masai life (excerpt of my coming post about living in the bush with the Masai!)

In Tanzania the hours of the day are measured in a different way. The counting starts at 6 AM. The first hour is counted when the day starts, with sunrise. Accordingly, 12 is our 6 PM, ending the day with sunset. The Masai life, like that of most living in the countryside, follows the sun too.

With sunrise the movement starts. The women milk the cows and make sweet, milky chai.

The calves, and the baby goats and sheep stay in the boma while the adult animals are taken for feeding and drinking in the surrounding savannah. The men comfortably whistle instructions to the cattle, helping themselves with a wooden stick that always accompanies them.

In the meantime, the women are busy, as always. The have to fetch water, firewood, and vegetables to cook. They make a humble –but full of work– breakfast, lunch, and dinner, usually consisting of ugali, a vegetable stew, and chai. After feeding the adults and older boys that go off with the cattle, they feed the many children, and wash up all the pots, plates, and cups. Even if their day started at 6, they don’t get a break until after lunch.

The few hours they have in the afternoon before the men go back are spent in the sun, catching up with the other women, working on some crafts, and playing with the children.

The men come back mid-afternoon and the work starts again. Feeding everyone, milking the cows, washing up.

The day starts wrapping up with the young kids making a bonfire and enjoying the warmth while the last rays of lights give way to the stars. They eat and go to sleep.

By 9 o’clock all that can be heard are the animals mooing and bleating. Which is, oddly, a lovely lullaby to fall asleep to.

1 month ago

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9/9

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