Story
This page is aimed at supporting Greg Christopher’s Brave and Innovative "pilgrimage" to Tehran. In light of the current Western ethnocentrically biased agenda in demonizing Iran through Western Media Sources and Political Discourse, it is Greg’s aim to introduce the REAL Iran to the "western" world.
In order to do this, Greg is planning a series of sponsored activities, which are designed to test his body to the limit. First off, is a sponsored run from the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro (or as Greg likes to call it, “KILLA-Man JAH Ra”) to its peak, a massive 5,895 metres above sea level. Unlike conventional expeditions up this deadly mountain, he will go alone, and without ANY modern technology such as oxygen masks or gloves.
Following the successful run up Mt. Kilimanjaro, Greg plans to swim across the Atlantic. Somewhat unconventionally, he has chosen to depart from Carndonagh, on the northern tip of Ireland and swim all the way down to Port Arthur, in Texas. This arguably unnecessary “difficultization” of the conventional transatlantic voyage is just one example of the great length to which Greg is willing to put his body on the line for this noble cause.
It is thought that these two sponsored feats will raise enough money for Greg to embark on his mission to Tehran. Following the successful acquisition of a Visa, Greg will walk barefoot from his home in Kidderminster to Heathrow Airport, so that he can “experience the pain” felt by victims of the Trans-Saharan Slave Trade during the Ottoman Empire. Once in Tehran, Greg plans to live with a family to sample real Iranian life. He will try his hand at cooking the local cuisine, which includes delicacies such as Khoresht and Sabzi Polo. Greg particularly looks forward to this, as he has sampled Kazakhstani and Turkish food in the past, and found it to be enjoyable, but is yet to try anything from Iran.
After familiarising himself with the local culture, Greg has a series of meetings planned with various religious, cultural and political leaders, with the intention of discussing possible plans for improving relations between normal Iranian and British People, Specifically School Children. It is here that he also intends to address the issue of the continued marginalisation of the Kurdish Community, as well as the deeply entrenched rivalry between Sunni and Shi’a groups in the Middle East, with a view to drawing out plans which may aid the development of a peaceful and democratic Iraqi State, under the guidance of Iran and other Arab States.
Following these meetings, Greg intends to visit Fbn-e Babooyeh Cemetery to pay homage to one of his favourite Iranian linguists: Ali-Akbar Dehkhoda, who is currently buried there. After this, he will attend the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Accompanied by a senior aid of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad . Following this, he will attend lunch with Hadi Khamenei, the Brother of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, where he will discuss the issues surrounding the pros and cons of a religiously-led state.
After this heavy day of political discussion, Greg will retire to the Niloo Apartment Hotel in Tehran, and enjoy a quiet swim. During the final few days of his trip, Greg intends to meet with the locals, by attending various markets and cafes. From the anecdotal evidence he gathers, he hopes to compile a report on the REAL Iran, devoid of any politically motivated contextualisation or propaganda. He will then present these findings to the general population through a series of newspaper and magazine deals which he hopes in due course will represent the early serialisation of his forthcoming book, as yet untitled
In order to achieve these ambitious goals, Greg is relying on the generosity of the general public. Any donations are much appreciated, and no amount is too small.
In order to do this, Greg is planning a series of sponsored activities, which are designed to test his body to the limit. First off, is a sponsored run from the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro (or as Greg likes to call it, “KILLA-Man JAH Ra”) to its peak, a massive 5,895 metres above sea level. Unlike conventional expeditions up this deadly mountain, he will go alone, and without ANY modern technology such as oxygen masks or gloves.
Following the successful run up Mt. Kilimanjaro, Greg plans to swim across the Atlantic. Somewhat unconventionally, he has chosen to depart from Carndonagh, on the northern tip of Ireland and swim all the way down to Port Arthur, in Texas. This arguably unnecessary “difficultization” of the conventional transatlantic voyage is just one example of the great length to which Greg is willing to put his body on the line for this noble cause.
It is thought that these two sponsored feats will raise enough money for Greg to embark on his mission to Tehran. Following the successful acquisition of a Visa, Greg will walk barefoot from his home in Kidderminster to Heathrow Airport, so that he can “experience the pain” felt by victims of the Trans-Saharan Slave Trade during the Ottoman Empire. Once in Tehran, Greg plans to live with a family to sample real Iranian life. He will try his hand at cooking the local cuisine, which includes delicacies such as Khoresht and Sabzi Polo. Greg particularly looks forward to this, as he has sampled Kazakhstani and Turkish food in the past, and found it to be enjoyable, but is yet to try anything from Iran.
After familiarising himself with the local culture, Greg has a series of meetings planned with various religious, cultural and political leaders, with the intention of discussing possible plans for improving relations between normal Iranian and British People, Specifically School Children. It is here that he also intends to address the issue of the continued marginalisation of the Kurdish Community, as well as the deeply entrenched rivalry between Sunni and Shi’a groups in the Middle East, with a view to drawing out plans which may aid the development of a peaceful and democratic Iraqi State, under the guidance of Iran and other Arab States.
Following these meetings, Greg intends to visit Fbn-e Babooyeh Cemetery to pay homage to one of his favourite Iranian linguists: Ali-Akbar Dehkhoda, who is currently buried there. After this, he will attend the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Accompanied by a senior aid of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad . Following this, he will attend lunch with Hadi Khamenei, the Brother of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, where he will discuss the issues surrounding the pros and cons of a religiously-led state.
After this heavy day of political discussion, Greg will retire to the Niloo Apartment Hotel in Tehran, and enjoy a quiet swim. During the final few days of his trip, Greg intends to meet with the locals, by attending various markets and cafes. From the anecdotal evidence he gathers, he hopes to compile a report on the REAL Iran, devoid of any politically motivated contextualisation or propaganda. He will then present these findings to the general population through a series of newspaper and magazine deals which he hopes in due course will represent the early serialisation of his forthcoming book, as yet untitled
In order to achieve these ambitious goals, Greg is relying on the generosity of the general public. Any donations are much appreciated, and no amount is too small.