Couchsurfing in Iran

A modern-day glimpse into the surprising reality of life in Iran.Iran: A destination that is seldom seen by westerners yet often misunderstood. A country that simultaneously "e;enchants and enrages"e; those who visit it. A place where leading a double life has become the norm.In Couchsurfing in Iran, award-winning author Stephan Orth spends sixty-two days on the road in this mysterious Islamic republic to provide a revealing, behind-the-scenes look at life in one of the world's most closed societies. Through the unsurpassed hospitality of twenty-two hosts, he skips the guidebooks and tourist attractions and travels from Persian carpet to bed to cot, covering more than 8,400 kilometers to recount "e;this world's hidden doings."e; Experiencing daily what he calls the "e;two Irans"e; that coexist side by side-the "e;theocracy, where people mourn their martyrs"e; in mausoleums, and the "e;hide-and-seek-ocracy, where people hold secret parties and seek worldly thrills instead of spiritual bliss"e;-he learns that Iranians have become experts in navigating around their country's strict laws. Though couchsurfing is officially prohibited in Iran-the state fears spies would be able to travel undetected through the country-more than a hundred thousand Iranians are registered with online couchsurfing portals. And thanks to these hospitable, English-speaking strangers, Orth gets up close and personal with locals, peering behind closed doors and blank windows to uncover the inner workings of a country where public show and private reality are strikingly opposed.