So, that's how I spent last week: Talking about the high price of food and goods in Iran and of course worrying about those I personally know and the Iranian people in general. My friend from Tehran told me she sees shops that don’t sale their products to avoid bankruptcy since the prices of goods rise daily. Then, she asked me innocently if situation in America is the same. I, in my naive way of thinking I could make her feel better, said “kind of.”

Also, let’s mention the human toll of any dire economical turmoil which leaves people desperate to survive too. The translation of this comment I read on an Iranian blog sums it up: “Who says there is Gerooni in Iran? Honor is so cheap, so is love and selling yourself. Lies are the cheapest and the price of dignity is as much as a piece of a piece of bread. Finally, the greatest discount is on the price of human life.”

An Iranian friend told me a how his mother in Iran had witnessed a woman stealing meat for her children and another in which a woman begged the butcher to sell her bones and fat for an impossible price of (something like) a dollar.

I called my relative in Canada and we talked about how the price of approximately two pounds of meat is around 20,000 Riyal--roughly 20 dollars. “How is it even possible to feed a family with prices like this?” We asked and wondered what will happen in a few months.

The news in Iran is not looking very optimistic right now. The threats of an Israeli military attack, nuclear talks with no imminent effect and the current economical downturn haunt me every day. Though I do not live in Iran, I restlessly wait and watch for the future and wonder if I could still look at this situation I-Heart-Iran style: with a smile, sarcasm, critical eye and laughter!?

A few Gerooni related cartoons from Simorgh.com:

It's customary that relatives give the newlyweds gold jewelry. The announcer says:  "A dozen eggs from the groom's uncle!"

A father brings home bread to his children.

Why eggs are so expensive in Iran? the paper reads: "the alarm is set."

Marraige is one of the most fundamental values in Iranian society and the recent economical downturn has made is exceptionally hard for the youth to get married. Traditionally, a woman's dowry which is promised by the husband include gold coins!