Photos - Iran

	Mother and son carry home the bread. Local bakeries become the focal-point of the village as everyone gathers to wait at baking time. The ovens are usually clay pits in the floor, heated by the wood fire. The bread is made to order while the villagers wait.
This shopkeeper in the Alborz Mountains between Tehran and the Caspian Sea is a Zoroastrian. Iran's main religion before the coming of Islam, the follower's of Zoroaster worship fire, and remain conspicuous in many parts of Iran and neighbouring countries such as Pakistan.
	A young girl in the mountainside village of Massouleh, Gilan Province.
Massouleh has become well-known for its houses which form the walkways for people above. The mix of Iranian and foreign tourists is evidence of the gradual opening of Iran. Despite the increase of tourists since its inclusion in Lonely Planet's latest edition of its guide to Iran, Massouleh still has a wonderful, mysterious atmosphere, recalling so many early travel books about the Middle East by western writers.
	Massouleh houses are all built from mud and clay, and many of the windows are ornately carved from wood.
In the bottom-right of the picture, a man snoozes away the afternoon in Massouleh. Even though the village is at 1800 metres, summer afternoons are hot, and most villagers and tourists take refuge in their houses or hotels.
	At night the village comes alive. The small bazaar bustles with locals and visitors, and the chaykhunes (teahouses) are all full with the sound of after-dinner conversations.

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