julian and john are going to iran in may! i must get julian a copy of the road to oxiana! (a book also beloved of heath and vaughn; though j says he has not heard of robert byron.)

also:

me: say, can i come along with you guys?
julian: why not? but i think it may still be challenging for women.
me: oh! is this the kind of trip where you rush up when i'm about to get in trouble and say 'i apologise for my wife' and whisk me away speedily?
julian: quite possibly!