Into The Heart of Kurdish Iran... Trouble in Kermanshah?

In the 17th episode of Paths Less Traveled - Iran, I reach Kermanshah (کرمانشاه), the biggest city and heart of the Kurdish North of Iran.

The trip was getting difficult at this stage. The protests in the country following the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini started just after I arrived in Iran but were getting bigger at this point, and the impact on the streets was a lot more noticeable.

As the protests spread from Amini's hometown of Saqqez in Iranian Kurdistan to other cities in the region, it wasn't surprising that the impact could be felt in Kermanshah, the biggest city.

While I stayed away from the protests on this day for my safety (I did not want to risk being arrested by the police or worse), the tension was clear on the street and much was closed.

The following morning, I learnt from locals that there had been big protests in the evening along with brutality from the riot police there.

This is the story of my strange time in Kermanshah.

On the way there I had the good chance to come by and visit and Iranian nomadic tribe, along with visiting the ancient city of Bisotun (بیستون). Also the beautiful Taq-e Bostan (طاق بستان) hisotrical site which was right by my hotel well out of the city center.

I was able to visit the city center, but found almost all shops in the bazaar shut due to the protests, along with the Shafei Jameh Mosque (مسجد جامع شافعی) and Tekiye Moaven Al Molk (تكيه معاون الملک).

Given the tension on the streets we wanted to get out of the pretty quickly but did find a place to buy and try the traditional Kermanshah sweets, Nan Berenji and Nan Khormaii.

Then it was quickly away from the center back out to the hotel area to eat the local Dande Kebab of barbeque ribs at a restaurant by Taq-e Bostan called Bishe.

#kermanshah #iran #irantravel

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PATHS LESS TRAVELED

In the late summer of 2022 I embarked on an epic road trip around Iran, during a time of unrest as protests escalated across the country.

Covering around 6200km over 24 days, I was able to see this incredible country in a way that many are not fortunate enough to see, and to record my experiences in a way that has not been done before.

Safety concerns meant that I had to limit my filming on occasion, and stay well away from any signs of the troubles going on.

However, what I did see was an incredible insight. Some of the most wonderful and welcoming people, incredible history and culture, and mind blowing food.

Paths Less Traveled - Iran is my story of my experiences, put in an in-depth series of Iran travel vlogs.

Episode 01: Arrival In Tehran
   • IRAN: A Side Of The Country The Media...  

Episode 02: Kashan
   • TEHRAN to beautiful KASHAN  

Episode 03: The Road To Yazd
   • The AMAZING JOURNEY To Yazd  

Episode 04: Yazd
   • The Ancient City of YAZD  

Episode 05: The Road To Kerman
   • Across the Desert of IRAN To KERMAN  

Episode 06: The Hottest Place on Earth
   • The HOTTEST place ON EARTH!  

Episode 07: Across Iran to the Persian Gulf
   • Across IRAN to the PERSIAN GULF  

Episode 08: Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf
   • Mangroves? Is this REALLY IRAN?! Qesh...  

Episode 09: Hormuz Island - Iran's Alien World
   • Iran's Incredible RAINBOW ISLAND - Ho...  

Episode 10: Shiraz
   • Shiraz City Iran 🇮🇷 (Iran Travel)  

Episode 11: Bishapur
   • Bishapur Iran & AMAZING Shiraz Food 🇮...  

Episode 12: Even More Shiraz!
   • Shiraz City Iran - Iran Travel / ایرا...  

Episode 13: Persepolis
   • PERSEPOLIS - The Wonder of Ancient Pe...  

Episode 14: Isfahan
   • This is THE REAL IRAN!!  Isfahan is I...  

Episode 15: Isfahan - Beyond The Main Square
   • Isfahan, Iran...  SECRETS Outside of ...  

Episode 16: Khorramabad
   • Khorramabad... But Where is Everyone???  

Episode 17: Kermanshah
   • Into The Heart of Kurdish Iran... Tro...  

Episode 18: Hamedan
   • Did You Ever Expect Hamedan To Be Lik...  

Episode 19: Back In Tehran - The End!
   • Tajrish & Darband... What's Affluent ...  

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My guide, Reza - He's a great guy and I highly recommend you get in touch if you're looking for a guide in Iran. Showed me amazing site, made sure I had incredible experiences and kept me safe in some hard times.
Here's his Instagram:
  / rezahosseini0090  

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Where I get the music for my videos (free 30 day trial for creators):
https://share.epidemicsound.com/4ky0jh