Preparation...

It is a lot to take in. hundreds of pages of information to study and learn and put to memory. Studying the Qurâ??an, the language of Farsi, the history of Iran/Persia, the current climate of the country and the region, and trying my best to not only learn and memorize the many customs that are so different from our own so as not to offend but rather honor them with our presence in their world, but also to show respect and courtesy. But also doing my best to put to memory the many requests and requirements made by the organization â?? the Fellowship of Reconciliation-- itself and their mission and why they are having us delegates partake in it in the first place.

Again there is a lot to take in. It is by all accounts overwhelming unless I keep myself firmly seated in the present moment at all times and just keep reading and studying. Stacks of books all around me. Pages upon pages of information from many sources continuously shooting out of my printer for me to soak in. I fall asleep each night to an assortment of Iranian historical documentaries and classic and contemporary film DVDs so that it sinks in all the more.

The itinerary looks merciless at first glance. 15 solid days of travel with not many breaks to be had. It is not only our responsibility to attend numerous events without ceasing each day but also to write detailed reports about our experiences and send them in to the organization for evaluation at night. I am eating as healthily as I can, sleeping even more, and working out twice as vigorously as normal to prepare.

Upon our arrival we will immediately visit Iranian radio and television stations in Tehran to introduce ourselves to the people at large and announce our presence. Then we meet the Vice President of the ICRO and Director for the Center of Inter-Religious Dialogue. We will then fly to Shiraz - the Jewel of ancient Persia, the Tomb of Hafez, Persepolis - the ancient palace of what was once the mightiest city on planet earth when the Persians ruled the world.