Stage 89: From Varzaneh to Nodoushan

While Gabriel decided to hitchhike again as a precaution, I chose to take a less-used gravel road instead of the main road. Although it was more challenging, the view was worth it and the silence was almost eerie. There were at most five cars per hour and it passed by an extinct volcano and a salt lake. In the distance, I could already see a van near the lake, and I would encounter its residents several times later. After about 60 kilometers, an abandoned caravanserai appeared in the middle of nowhere, the perfect place for a lunch break and some shelter from the scorching sun. Just behind the caravanserai, the road turned into a sand dune, as if construction had been forgotten. After climbing even more elevations, I reached a large mining area, probably a copper mine. The subsequent descent was especially enjoyable thanks to the good roads again. After 95 kilometers, my desert road intersected with a larger road. My plan was to hitchhike from here towards Yazd, where the other three were eagerly waiting for me. But it was getting late in the evening, and there was not a single car on the road. I didn't feel like camping without provisions, so I drove another 20 kilometers until I reached the small but beautiful town of Nodoushan. Google even knew a guesthouse there, but it was clearly abandoned. Fortunately, people in Iran are incredibly helpful. I just had to ask a kiosk owner about the deserted accommodation. One phone call and five minutes later, a kind man arrived at the store and led me to his hotel. It turned out to be the converted fortress of the town, where I stayed for 6 dollars including breakfast. That was unexpected! The only other guests besides me were geologists who were staying there for a few weeks to search for iron deposits in the area. After a few cups of tea and a shower, I happily fell asleep.