The Measure of Beauty and the Traveler's Lightness.

I set foot in Shiraz, Iran, just as my body was parched by the heat of the Middle East. A calm atmosphere drifted through the city, and a gentle smile floated on the faces of the people walking the streets.

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Leaving my lodging before the night had fully broken, I headed toward the Pink Mosque.
When I passed through the door, it was still dim and quiet. However, as the sun rose and its light began to shine through the mosque's stained glass, the world changed completely.
Red, blue, and yellow light poured onto the floor and pillars, shining brilliantly like a kaleidoscope. That light was not just a feast for the eyes, but a mysterious art of light that made me feel a gentle warmth on my skin. Captivated by its beauty, I was glued to the spot.

I could not believe such a beautiful mosque existed in this world. I whispered that to myself over and over in my heart. It was truly heaven. I declare that it is the most beautiful mosque in the world.

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The bazaar in the city was also beautiful. Amidst the scent of spices tickling my nostrils, colorful pottery and intricately patterned carpets were lined up in every available space. The richness of the colors made my heart dance with excitement.
There were many things I wanted to buy as souvenirs, but I could not afford to increase my luggage in the middle of a journey where I did not know when I would return. The lightness of my backpack is proportional to the distance I can walk. I decided to just burn the beautiful things into my eyes and keep them in my heart.

The Karim Khan Citadel in the center of the city radiates an overwhelming presence, completely different from that beauty. The 12-meter-high walls are like the walls that appear in Attack on Titan. I stood there, forgetting to breathe, at the overwhelming majesty that made my neck ache from looking up.

Shiraz was filled with 'beauty' in various forms, from the art of light to the handiwork of the people, and the intimidating presence of the massive citadel. The scenery I encountered here has slightly changed my own yardstick for 'beauty'.

—Ah, once again, a soliloquy in a strange foreign land.