Travelogue to Fuman, My friend from the North

In 2014, when I was a student, I had the pleasure of visiting the lovely city of “Fuman” in Iran. During one of my semesters, I became friends with a young girl named Shabnam, who was from Gilan province and was staying with her relatives in Tehran while attending university.

In the summer, Shabnam invited me to her family’s home in Fuman, and I eagerly accepted. Shabnam’s father, a kind and upstanding man, even accompanied us on our journey from Tehran. He also paid a visit to their relatives in Tehran. When we arrived in Fuman after a five-hour drive, we were warmly welcomed by Shabnam’s family. They were such gracious hosts that I felt completely at ease during my stay with them, as though I had known them for years. Because we were tired, we stayed at home on the first day.

After a day of rest, we decided to visit the tourist city of Lahijan, where we could take in the lush scenery from a cable car. Despite my fear of heights, I took Shabnam’s suggestion and joined everyone in the cabin. The view was breathtaking – the entire city of Lahijan lay spread out before us. We spent nearly two hours exploring Lahijan before returning to Fuman.

When we arrived back in Fumen, we took a leisurely stroll down the lively streets near Shabnam’s home. Although her mother’s cooking was delectable, I had asked Shabnam if we could dine at one of the nearby restaurants that served scrumptious food. I was excited to try the local cuisine, so we ordered pomegranate stew with quail. It was, without a doubt, one of the most delicious meals I had ever tasted.

After spending the remainder of the day with the Shabnam’s family, we went to our room to rest after a long day. Shabnam’s grandfather had come to visit, and we spent the night listening to his charming stories and reminiscing about the past.

The following morning, at around 8 o’clock after breakfast, we departed for the stunning town of Masuleh. Masuleh is one of Fuman city’s top tourist attractions, and it has become one of Iran’s most popular and visited destinations due to its fabulous natural scenery and staircase houses.

As we made our way to Masuleh, I was entranced by the natural beauty that surrounded us. You can walk toward the graveyard to get a good view of Masuleh, and you’ll surely be treated to a beautiful view of the village. From this vantage point, you can appreciate the unique architecture of the houses, with one house stacked atop another and each person’s yard serving as the roof of their neighbor’s home. We wandered through the village, stopping at tourist shops and cafes that catered to both visitors and locals alike. We sipped tea at one of the cafes, snapped pictures, and purchased souvenirs.

Our next destination was Rudkhan Castle, a fortress dating back to the Sassanid period that boasts 65 towers and a 1500-meter-long wall. To reach the castle, we had to climb a broad staircase flanked by verdant trees. With the assistance of Shabnam’s father, we made our way to the summit and relished the breathtaking scenery that surrounded us. After exploring Rudkhan Castle, we visited a relative of Shabnam’s.

Shabnam’s family and I had indulged in a lovely afternoon, consuming food, relaxing, and having a great time at the park. We then sat down to enjoy our meal. It was a fantastic experience for me, Shabnam, and her brother Bardia, along with their father. Later on, we proceeded towards the park’s gaming machines, where we had a lot of enjoyment. We then returned to our place to prepare lunch, where Shabnam’s father got busy with preparing coals and grills for the barbecue. Shabnam’s mother and we all chipped in to prepare the lunch items.

After taking a relaxing and enjoyable tour of the park and capturing memories in the form of photos, Shabnam and I headed towards the city’s shops and passages to purchase souvenirs for my family. From the famous souvenirs of Fuman cookies that we got a lot of and returned home. I had a strange feeling. I didn’t want to leave that beautiful place and the kind family of Shabnam, but there was no alternative. My evocative trip to Fuman was over, and we had to return to Tehran.

In the morning, we left Shabnam’s family and drove back to Tehran at 9 o’clock. I bade farewell to Shabnam’s mother and expressed my gratitude for the few days that I had spent with them. They promised that I would be welcome to visit them again with my family next time.

When we arrived in Tehran, it was almost 1pm and 2pm. I thanked Shabnam’s father for all their efforts and requested them to guide me on the right path so that their way would not get further away from it. It’s been eight long years since that memorable journey. Shabnam and I have both graduated. We have lost touch with each other, and we’re now clueless about each other’s whereabouts. Nevertheless, I will always cherish the memories of Shabnam and her kind family and the unforgettable trip I had to Fuman city. I hope to find the opportunity to visit Fuman city again and reunite with Shabnam once more.