Baby's Breath
Gladiolas
An old man with his purchased flowers
Roses for sale
Young florist
This morning, Mom and I went to the east end of Tehran, literally into the desert, where the flower wholesalers come to sell their flowers. Tents were set up and wholesalers had their flowers on display. It was amazing to see the variety of flowers: Day Lilies, Roses, Gladiolas, Marigolds, and so on. I enjoyed walking around and taking photographs.
Marigolds
Mom checking out the flowers
Potted plants for sale
Fields of flowers
After Mom purchased a few bunches of flowers and two pots for Jasmine, we headed off to the southern part of the city where the cemetery for Tehran is. Here again, we were in the desert. More so this time as the cemetery was built as far away from Tehran as possible to provide the needed space for an ever growing population. Built in the late seventies, it has beautiful large evergreens, cypress trees, and pussy willows in the older sections and younger trees in the more recent burial areas. As people bury their loved ones, the cemetery plants trees. We visited my Father's tomb, and Uncle Ahmad's, Uncle Ghasem's, Aunt Derakhi's, and cousing Kavoos' tombs. We also visited the tomb of my Father's dear friend, Mr. Kalhor. Ebrahim (our family driver), Mom, and I washed the tombs, poured rosewater, and then placed flowers on them.
My Mother and Ebrahim cleaning and pouring rosewater on my Father's tomb
My Aunt Derakhi and Cousin Kavoos are buried here
Public drinking water at the cemetery
We stopped to visit Ostaad Elahi on our way home. I spoke with him for a while and then picked up some glassware for friends of Mom's. At home, one of the owners of a freighting company came to discuss the procedure for sending personal belongings such as furniture to the USA. I'm bringing my old, wooden rocking chair and a large, framed painting. I'm also bringing Neda's carpet and all the glass that I purchased from Ostaad Elahi. This is a very good way of sending large personal belongings.
Buying melons on our way home from Ostaad Elahi's workhop
Melons in the pickup truck
Later on, Amir Ali, my cousin Guity's son, came over to say goodbye. He is going to London tomorrow and will be studying at the university there. Amir Ali is a few months younger than Bijhan and when we traveled to Isfehan and Shiraz together seven years ago, he got along well with Bijhan and Ariane.
Amir Ali, my cousin's son
