(Daniel) Despite not having made plans, excitement found us today. After breakfast, I walked down to the internet shop with Gabby and Rowan, and managed to get hold of Nick and Amy on Messenger. It was nice to speak in real time, and tell some of the deeper stories with the photos from my laptop. We walked to the bank to change money, but were told that the exchange wouldn’t be available until tomorrow. After this we went back to the Hotel for lunch (the only place we could eat on account!)
Whilst having lunch, a fuss broke out in the corner. It turned out that the Japanese girl I had noticed yesterday had been robbed. She had hidden a wad of cash in her bag, and today it was gone. She was very upset, as this was all her travelling money, and at the thought that her adventure was over, she was inconsolable.
In a short time, a plain clothes officer arrived, who spoke excellent English. We were sat with the girl, and party to the conversation. The man explained that crimes against foreigners carried very stiff penalties indeed, and that it was likely someone connected to the staff. He seemed totally sure that the money would be returned, and interviewed the staff before leaving. On his way out, he repeated his confident prediction.
Not 20 minutes later, a thick roll of Japanese Yen was thrown through the hotel doors. I happened to be walking closeby, and went immediately to tell the girl. To say she was overjoyed would be an understatement. If this had happened in almost any other country, I would say she had little chance of seeing the money again. It certainly says something of the penalty for theft in Iran, which presumably the plain clothes officer reminded the staff of, earlier in the day.
After this we rested before having dinner at the restaurant with Bobek and then going up onto the roof to smoke a waterpipe and take some photos of the city at night.
