"Despite Israel's destructive attacks on Iran, a lone female traveler successfully navigated her escape"
In the heart of the 2023 Israel-Iran conflict, foreign travelers, including Taiwanese nationals, faced unprecedented challenges. Ariel Kang Chengxuan, a 24-year-old traveler from Taiwan, found herself in the midst of this geopolitical turmoil while exploring Iran.
Kang's journey began with a 15-day visa application through a travel agency, which cost $15 online and an additional $134 upon entry into Iran. Her host family in Isfahan, a city steeped in history and culture, warmly welcomed her, treating her to traditional Iranian dishes while she introduced them to Chinese spicy hotpot and milk tea.
However, Kang's peaceful sojourn was disrupted when she was asked to wear a headscarf during a police security check on her way to Tehran. The regional instability caused by the conflict made travel within Iran challenging, with a lack of tourist infrastructure and unreliable public transportation.
On June 12, Kang fell asleep in a homestay in Isfahan. That same night, Israel initiated attacks on Iran's nuclear, missile, and military complex, causing 12 days of intense strikes across the country. The following day, Kang learned about the airstrikes through online messages from concerned friends.
Despite the escalating conflict, life in Isfahan continued relatively normally, with shops and supermarkets open, though fewer people were on the streets and there was less traffic. Kang heard gunfire and a lady at a bus stop screaming during her journey from Tehran to Tabriz.
The US State Department advises against traveling to Iran due to the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, or arbitrary arrest. In such situations, Taiwanese travelers like Kang may need to contact the embassy of China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan, for assistance in case of emergencies.
Kang became fully aware of the severity of the conflict on June 14, while watching TV with her host family. On that day, she stayed home in Isfahan, playing card games and cooking with her host family. She was touched by the unique Persian blue color used in the mosques of Isfahan, particularly the Masjed-e Jāmé, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Isfahan, once a major city on the Silk Road, continues to captivate visitors with its rich history and cultural heritage. Despite the challenges posed by the conflict, Kang found warmth and hospitality in the people she met, who went out of their way to help her navigate her journey. Her experiences serve as a testament to the resilience and generosity of the Iranian people in the face of adversity.
- Ariel Kang Chengxuan's initial adventure travel to Iran, initially filled with cultural exchanges and novel experiences, transformed into an unwanted adventure when war-and-conflicts between Israel and Iran disrupted her peaceful sojourn.
- As the Israel-Iran conflict escalated, Kang's lifestyle in Iran shifted dramatically, from exploring general-news-worthy historical sites to the reality of living through military strikes and economic challenges.
- Amidst the political tension in Iran, Kang found solace in the resilience of the Iranian people, displaying a unique mix of adventure-travel and war-and-conflicts, as she witnessed firsthand the hospitality and generosity of the people she encountered during her travel.
