04. March 2026
The strict dress code has, after all, influenced my attitude toward clothing. In Kyiv, after living in Tehran, I began to prefer simple and comfortable things. Comfort became more important than the desire to please everyone; I no longer wanted to attract attention on the street.
At the airport, we were met by an old friend who immediately asked, "What is there to miss in Iran?" I don’t answer—I know he wouldn't believe me anyway.
03. April 2025
I sat at the table, smiling politely, while everyone else chatted animatedly. In front of me was a plate, accompanied by a fork and a spoon. A spoon instead of a knife? The thought flitted through my mind. Resolving to use only the fork, I unwittingly drew even more attention to myself. The food, for its part, refused to reveal any of its flavours and seemed to halt halfway down to my stomach. The day stretched on endlessly, and I silently wondered if it would ever come to an end.