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November 22, 2003
Final Tidbits
1. The first time I saw the man with the bandaged nose and black eyes I felt sympathetic. It looked like quite a fight. When just a few days later I saw another man with similar "injuries," and subsequently women, too, I realized that there had been no rash of braggadocio going around. Instead, Iranian youth are flaunting their nose jobs! I guess many feel the classic Persian nose is not aquiline enough. So, after paying more than $1,000, they take the bump out, and then show off their ability to pay for such a thing by walking around with black eyes and bandaged noses. A friend told me that a year later, though, they will deny it was done. Still, you can easily tell--those who have had nose jobs have a little shiny spot on the bridge of their nose, and it's uncomfortably Michael Jackson-like. Such a shame. I think Persian noses have character. Apparently, though, the nose jobs are so much cheaper in Iran than other places that people fly in from Europe to do them there.
2. While you can find American products here, including Starbucks and Coke, one area where the crack has not been widened is in the field of aeronautics. Iranians are flying old planes. Read: when you get on a plane in Iran, cross yourself, pray to Allah, or whatever spirit moves you. My last two flights were on old Russian Tupalov 154s, complete with overhead signs in Russian and Russian pilots. The plane shuddered for 15 minutes after takeoff and needless to say, the safety situation left a lot to be desired. The plane I took to Masshad and back looked even older-possibly a Boeing 707? There are some Airbuses, but they're old, too, because I guess an American company has bought into Airbus and so now the planes can't be sold to Iran. I have no idea how long this can continue. Plane flights are incredibly cheap, so lots of Iranians take them. A crash would not only kill a lot of people, but hurt the economy.
By the way, on any Iranian flight the attendants first thank God, the compassionate and merciful, before giving their instructions.
Posted by MJF at November 22, 2003 11:56 AM