November 8, 2002 - NPCA list serv: NPCA sponsors Bridge-building trip to Iran

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Headlines: Peace Corps Headlines - 2002: 11 November 2002 Peace Corps Headlines: November 8, 2002 - NPCA list serv: NPCA sponsors Bridge-building trip to Iran

By Admin1 (admin) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 3:49 pm: Edit Post

NPCA sponsors Bridge-building trip to Iran





Read and comment on this email from the NPCA list serv on the recent bridge-building trip of 22 RPCVs and family members who just completed a twelve-day visit to Iran under NPCA auspices. The visit afforded a glimpse at Iran’s lively NGO sector, particularly the important work in education of the Science and Art Foundation and the NGO Initiative, which is seeking to energize and expand the role of local non-profits in providing social services. Read the story at:

Bridge-building: A visit to Iran*

* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.



Bridge-building: A visit to Iran

Some 22 RPCVs and family members have just completed a twelve-day visit to Iran under NPCA auspices. As in the case of a previous NPCA trip in 1999, the logistical arrangements were organized by Friendship Force International of Atlanta. The group was spearheaded by 12 RPCVs who served in Iran during the 1960’s and 1970’s, led by trip director Peter Russell and exchange coordinator Bruce Nelson. The travelers spent 3 days in Teheran but also a week in the historic Persian heartland – Shiraz, Isfahan, Yazd, and Hammadan. NPCA President Dane Smith (Ethiopia 1963-65), who participated, reports that although the formal structure of the trip was touristic, including the glories of ancient Persepolis and the fantastic Islamic shrines of Isfahan, the trip provided numerous opportunities - mostly unplanned – to meet and talk with Iranians. The visitors were frequently approached by Iranians, including women, intrigued to find out that they were Americans and eager for additional contact. Women seem to be pressing the boundaries of officially permissible behavior in dress and informal exchange with men. The visit afforded a glimpse at Iran’s lively NGO sector, particularly the important work in education of the Science and Art Foundation and the NGO Initiative, which is seeking to energize and expand the role of local non-profits in providing social services. Inspired by the trip, Iran RPCVs are now examining how they can continue and expand contacts with that country by creating a Friends of the Iranian People affiliate of the NPCA and by exploring specific educational and service activities for the future.

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Itinerary of the Trip to Iran

National Peace Corps Association Exchange to Iran
October 19 – November 2, 2002


October 19: Departure from New York (JFK).

October 20: Arrival in Frankfurt in morning. Late afternoon connection to Tehran. Arrival late at night. Transfer to Enghelab Hotel for overnight.

October 21: Late breakfast, half-day city tour of Tehran including visit to Archeology and Carpet Museums. In the afternoon, transfer to airport for flight to Shiraz. Upon arrival, transfer to Parisian Hotel for overnight.

October 22: After breakfast, begin with a walk in the famous Eram Garden, then visit the Tomb of either Hafez or Sa’di. In the afternoon, visit the Vakil Old Bazaar, Jame Mosque, and the Holy Shrine of Shah-e-Cheraq. Overnight Shiraz.

October 23: Early in the morning, depart for tours of Persepolis, Naqsh-e-Rostam, and Passargad. Continue to Taft. Then go on to Yazd, and check-in to the Azadi or the Safaieh Hotel.

October 24: Full day of sightseeing in Yazd including the Friday Mosque, the Tower of Silence, the Zoroastrian Fire Temple, and the Grand Bazaar. If time permits, drive in the afternoon to Maybod Village to visit the famous pottery factories and the 3rd century Sassanian Fort. Overnight Yazd.

October 25: After breakfast, drive to Isfahan with a visit to Naeen en route. Upon arrival in Isfahan, check-in to the Alighapu Hotel.

October 26: Full day of sightseeing in Isfahan including the Jame Mosque, Armenian Vank Cathedral, Chehel-Sotoun Audience Palace as well as the famous bridges of Khaju and Si-O-Sepol. Overnight Isfahan.

October 27: In the morning, visit the World Heritage Site, the Square of Naqsh-e-Jahan, Imam and Sheikh-Lotfullah Mosques, and the Ali-Qapu Palace. In the afternoon, free time for shopping. In the evening, transfer to the airport for a flight back to Tehran. Upon arrival in Tehran, transfer to hotel for overnight.

October 28: Drive from Tehran to Anzali for a visit to the beautiful marshland of Anzali Port. Overnight at the Sepidkenar Hotel.

October 29: Drive to Hamadan. Visit the Alisadr Water Cave (the longest water cave in the world.) Sightseeing in Hamadan including the Avicenna Mausoleum and the Achamenian Inscriptions of Ganjnameh. Overnight at the Azadi Hotel.

October 30: In the morning, visit the tombs of Ester and Mordekhai (the wife of Xerexes and her uncle). After lunch, drive back to Tehran and immediately transfer to hotel for overnight.

October 31: Late breakfast, then visit the Ceramic and Glass Museum. After lunch, visit the Crown Jewel Museum. Overnight in Tehran.

November 1: Full day free for special visit such as to school or for shopping. In the evening, attend a farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant, enjoying live Iranian music and a show before your late evening transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

November 2: Flight through Frankfurt. Arrival in New York (JFK) in afternoon.



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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; RPCV National Organizations; COS - Iran

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