Journey Through Iran Proved Eventful (Press, 9 August 1973)

In August 1973, 23-year-old Sarah Hobson shared her extraordinary experiences in Iran, where she disguised herself as a boy for three months. Her motivation for this disguise stemmed from previous encounters in Muslim countries, where she faced harassment as a woman. Believing that dressing as a boy would offer her greater safety, Sarah prepared meticulously for her trip by altering her appearance in London. She cut her hair short, purchased oversized men's clothing, and even crafted a pocket in her shirt for her passport and travel cheques. At 5 feet 9 inches tall, with measurements that made her rather robust, she felt her size could help lend credibility to her disguise. On her hitchhiking journey through Europe to Istanbul and then to Iran, she encountered various challenges. One significant incident occurred during a passport check near the Russian border, where her female passport photo raised suspicions, leading the gendarme to accuse her of being a spy. Though she successfully defended her story, the encounter led to her losing her accommodation for the night. During her travels, Sarah was offered a bride by a carpet merchant who mistakenly believed she had made the long journey from London to Iran as a pilgrim. This unexpected proposal left her astounded, but she quickly sidestepped the offer by citing her engagement to a cousin. Her time in Tehran was filled with further complications. Intrigued by the beauty of Persian men, Sarah sometimes forgot her male persona when approached by them. One handsome young man invited her to his home, addressing her as "mister," which reminded her of her disguise. As she explored Iran, Sarah was not only there for adventure but also to study design for her leather goods business. However, maintaining her disguise was a constant challenge, as her feminine features often drew puzzled looks from locals. She attempted to adopt more masculine habits, such as mimicking the way men walked and gestured, but this often felt unnatural. Despite the challenges of her disguise, Sarah found herself adjusting somewhat to her role, particularly when engaging with local social customs, such as admiring women at a tribal wedding. Interestingly, she also faced misconceptions about Western women, as many Persian men assumed they were promiscuous, much to her frustration. Now living in a cottage in the Midlands, where she continues to weave, write, and design, Sarah expressed a desire to return to Iran the following year. She contemplated whether to travel again in disguise or as her true self. However, she remained mindful that some might see through her disguise, recalling a widow named Sakina who insisted she was a girl, even going so far as to ask for proof. Sarah’s adventure illustrates the complex interplay of gender, culture, and identity during her travels.

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