Had an amazing private guide for just my wife and I. Guide thinks he recognizes a man sitting down with his wife in a cafe and tells us could be a famous pilot in Iran. When our guide served in the guard, he thinks this is the who man actually trained him...

Guide goes over to confirm his suspicions. Within 3 mins we are at the table with them, drinking tea and laughing together for about an hour. So much back and forth making fun of our political systems. His wife is a government interpreter and speaks absolutely perfect, no accent English. Goes on to tell us about all of her fav "underground" spots in Tehran. Asks to take pictures with us and her husband. Husband / pilot is so happy he met us. Asks us where we are going tomorrow. We tell him. He asks our guide how we are getting there (4 hr bus ride). Pilot offers to get a small private plane and fly us there as it would be cheaper, more fun and leave us with more time to expierence Iran (and not be stuck on the smelly bus). We are like " YESSSSSS!!!" guide has to ruin everyone's dream by declining the offer. Explaining it's his job to keep Iran safe too and what would it look like if two americans were hurt or injured in a plane crash. So bus ride it was.

Worth nothing the cafe was the one made famous by Bourdain's Iran espisode. Our guide had never heard of it. He now brings all of his visitors there now.

These things happened 15 times a day. Taxi drivers asking to take pictures of us. My wife literally had a line of young woman asking to take pictures with her. Invited to so many random homes and businesses for tea. Gifts constantly being given to us (which is so uncomfortable). My fav was people asking for my phone number so that if they are ever so lucky to get to America that they could call me and we could maybe meet for lunch. Really honestly up and down the most amazing and hospitable country and people that I have ever visited.