14 Dec 2008, Mashhad, Iran, 11324km

Taking picture has become difficult since I entered Iran, because I have to avoid taking pictures of women.
Women in long black chadors. Big black cone-shaped objects moving under streetlights. Weird... Well, I shouldn't say that. But that's what I felt when I first saw them, though I had expected the scene.

Mashad is a religious city. There is an important shrine for Shiah muslims in the center, and the city has been developed around it.
The shrine is open all day and all night. I went there at night. Its huge area was still filled with hundreds of pilgrims. People were praying everywhere, on the carpets on the ground, in the buildings, at corners. I hadn't seen so many people praying so seriously. Preaches from speakers sounded like emotional songs. Buildings were illuminated with colored lights. Inside of a building were filled with sprinkling lights of chandeliers and mirror pieces stuck on the pillars or on the wall. A different world it was, and impressive.
There were also many people who were more touristic. They were taking pictures with their mobile phones here and there. I had to leave my camera at the entrance. I had no intention of disturbing the serious prayer, but still felt it wasn't fair.