Shushtar

Ancient Fortress City   Pop: 102,000

Shushtar County

Khuzestan Province

Iran

May 8, 2022

Prologue

Roberta, Sergio and I are scheduled for a day trip to the nearby city of Shush.  I decide to remain alone at the hotel and enjoy the sunny courtyard for a much-needed "time out." 

Nearby, a young girl who has been pouring over a pile of books approaches me and initiates a conversation.  After a series of questions and answers (She questions. I answer.), Ala tells me her story: