Funny In Farsi

Kazem once again takes center stage at the outset of this chapter. Firoozeh explains that he loves to frequent Las Vegas, and she recalls a typical vacation to Vegas from her childhood. These invariably include a stop at Kazem’s favorite restaurant, Denny’s. She also describes the hotel registration ritual, which allows Kazem to pretend that he has inside connections in Vegas, perhaps with real mobsters. Kazem is never successful at the casinos and is superstitious about nearly everything. Eventually, the family pursues vacations in other places like Hawaii, which is too gimmicky, and Yosemite, which is too wild and has bears. While Kazem never entirely gives up his Vegas vacations, they are eventually the only vacation he is willing to go on, much to Firoozeh’s dismay.

Firoozeh describes the adventurous life of her husband, Francois. At one time, he lived in Africa in Congo. As the two were preparing their honeymoon, Francois suggested India, to which Firoozeh vehemently objected. Firoozeh explains why she objected, how her views of a vacation differ vastly from her husband’s, and why. Born in Paris, Francois seeks an escape from the luxuries Firoozeh embraces. All of the challenges that come with places that are often exoticized, like mosquitos and lack of toilets, are things Firoozeh grew up with.