Tabriz

Our new coach is also a Mercedez Benz, but appears to have a row less seats – this means we (as the 'couple') share a seat, but have noticeably more leg room. As well as the new driver, we have a guide for Iran and another person, who we are eventually told is the 'co-driver'. Both Barry and Chris instantly consider that he is a member of the security services coming along to keep an eye on us. Interestingly at our first stop for lunch, Mark and David sit outside as they don't feel like a full meal at lunchtime, and after a few seconds the 'co-driver' appears and just stands near to them smoking a cigarette.
Back on the road, of which the surfaces are notably superior over those in Turkey and we see many small shacks and small holdings, but surprisingly lush ground growing a variety of crops. We also seem to have several stops for police checks and at one time an officer gets on board, walks down the coach to do a head count and checks the cupboard is empty.
We then drive through an impressive thunderstorm with a less than impressive driver who clearly has a sixth sense when it comes to overtaking in the blindness of massive spray. There are several times when we manage just to pull back into our side of the road missing the oncoming traffic by nothing more than a mosquito's undercarriage. Maybe the 'co-driver' could do a better job?
We arrive in Tabriz grateful to be one piece, but there is the evening rush hour to compete with. Loads of cars, looking like old Chryslers and Hillmans compete with buses, trucks, pedestrians and only a few mopeds. On the main drag outside our hotel there is a central two-way bus lane and the occasional moped realises it's better to argue with a single bus than the mass of cars on the street. Our group is the centre of attention and amusement throughout the wander along to the local shops and we meet several smiles, giggles and 'welcome to my Country' from the people we meet. In the local supermarket we go crazy and buy some supplies for the next few days spending 130,000 of the local currency.