During the Shi’a period of Ashura, it is considered an act of great faith to make a pilgrimage of up to 700km to Karbala in Iraq, to be there for the 40 th day of Ashura. This is the south of Iran, on the pilgrimage route to Iraq. Local communities make welcoming stops, with food, drink and rest places for the walking pilgrims. This is one such place. The flag is the black mourning flag for Ashura. We stopped on our car journey to Shush and were welcomed very warmly, even invited home for meals. The people in Iran are the most friendly, open and hospitable I have met anywhere.