There is significant mention of Iran in our media lately – so much controversy surrounding the nuclear deal, sanctions, mullahs and the like. For nearly 40 years the U.S. has had a broken relationship with the country and certainly there is a lot to have concern about with the current regime, so many unanswered questions and a foundation of mistrust. But I don’t want to write about politics or government or nuclear weapons. I am not trying to spark a debate about what is a good deal or a bad deal. Inspired by a friend over lunch conversation, instead I would like to share what I know about the country as a destination and the uniqueness of the people and the culture.

Writing my novel has involved a lot of research; Iran is central to my storyline and much of the action takes place in cities across the vast middle eastern country. Many of these sites are places I’ve never visited, or did when I was a young child and have virtually no memory of my time there. As I read more and scan what images are available on the web, I am further inspired to share a different view of this elusive place with my American friends. What we see in the news and what we hear from Washington, regardless of which side of the aisle you lean, isn’t representative of the people and rich culture that I grew up with and love. It’s likely that most of you reading this would not pursue travel to Iran or anywhere else in the region, so I would like to share some detail about things you may never see.

You may never see the bustling metropolis of Tehran with the white-capped Elburz Mountains hovering in the distance. You would miss the palaces, national jewelry museum and monuments representing various monarchy. You may never see the hiking trails and ski resorts dotting the mountain ranges. You might not have the opportunity to see the bazaar in Shiraz, nearby Persepolis and the history of a civilization 2500 years before our time. Mosques and shrines, intricate tiled mosaics, women weaving carpets from the finest silks, gardens and tombs of some of the most revered poets in all of literature – these most likely are places and things you will never witness firsthand. You may never see the deep, cold waters of the Caspian Sea or the mud huts bordering ancient desert towns. You may never see the many interpretations of an appropriate covering for a woman’s hair, experience the chaotic and lawless driving in the cities, or feel the general angst of an oppressed and heavily sanctioned people. You may also never feel the warmth and generosity of family or even mere acquaintances welcoming you into their homes to feed your belly full of the most delicious foods, going to such great lengths for hospitality to even offer you the watch from their wrists. You would miss the smiles and the beauty, the wit and humor of an intelligent and passionate people.

Iran is a complex and misunderstood place with a snarled and storied history, much of which remains to be written. I hope to bring these cities and people to life in my book, the real people, and not the American-news-edited version. I hope to spark the curiosity and wonder in people’s imaginations with enough of an ember to want to know more. I hope to be able to bring awareness and understanding, and perhaps even an opportunity to impact in some positive way. I remain optimistic that at some point in my lifetime, the doors of diplomacy will open once again and we can visit as friends and enthusiasts of this amazing and captivating land.