If you're thinking of writing about your journey across Iran, through "Persia" or into the mind of the self-flagellating Shia on the day of Ashura, here are some useful clichés you can use:
- it's not what you expect
- it's a land of contradictions
- taxi drivers rip you off
- the people are so hospitable
- the women are so beautiful
- people drive Paykans, based on the Hillman Hunter, such a quaint old car
- there are pictures of martyrs everywhere
- people live such contradictory lives with a public face and a private life
