monday brainstorming - the usual obsessions

HAH. i had the BESTEST EVER idea of the year so far. if/when the new job at my current place starts, it is either feb 1st or march 1st. if it was march, i would have time to travel after my current contract ends. AND its right after i should have my english teaching certificate done. i have been so anxious over not knowing when i can go somewhere, and specifically when i can go back to Istanbul. i checked and its the steady 200e that this fun costs. plus however i manage my stay there.

anyway, i just HAPPENED to check wikitravel page on Iran yesterday, and it mentioned how Tehran is also accessible via rail, from istanbul for example. naturally the trip is longish... but as we know, thats is no problemo par soy. well, my spanish is not so strong... but i dont mind sitting in a train with my thoughts.

so how about going to Iran via Istanbul, the flights to Tehran go through Istanbul anyway, and i will NOT go through that city without seeing it, dammit. of course it seems insane to spend that much time (3nights) in a train, when time is so limited, but flying to Tehran is double the price of Istanbul and one-way flights to each city are even more. so. the train is in my opinion a smart option. if u want to push 2 cities in such a short time...

whatever, ill think this through. i asked about the passport stuff and its "only" 48e for a new 5yr passport. plus a passport pic (15e?). now i am wondering though if i got enough time to get the tourist visa for Iran, as i first need a week to get the new passport. it might be possible to obtain a visa from the airport but since im not arriving from that direction... and the visa application has difficult questions, blah....

*checks finnish governments recommendations about going to Iran* there is a finnish embassy in Tehran, nice.

ive been wanting since Arttu and his friends went, they had a very good experience.