As a university researcher, I used to get to travel quite a bit (pre-COVID). One of my best trips was to Iran. As an American, it isn’t very often you get to visit the country.
As required, I had to have a “tour guide” to escort me everywhere. He was nice and helpful, but got very ill two days into the visit. Not wanting to give up the money from the job, his sister Fatima (20) took over the Job as my escort. She was very nice, but her English was a bit more limited – which made for some confusing conversations and interesting food options.
On the second to last night, she had to both pick me up from my conference and feed her brother’s dog (which is frowned upon in Iran). She picked me up and we went to his flat. He was staying with his parents while he recovered – so the apartment was empty (except for the dog).