Of course, I have taken pictures of my own, in order to add that personal touch missing from so many of today's events.
We are standing outside the gates to the Mathematical Research and Conference Center in Bedlewo, Poland. The institute is a former castle. It has been hypothesized that the gates are designed not to keep people out, but rather, to keep the mathematicians locked in. When a horde of unruly mathematicians are on the prowl, is any town really safe?
Now on the grounds of the center, we see the guardhouse. A security officer roamed the grounds while we were there. Apparently, my reputation precedes me. You try finding an innocent explanation for a gorilla suit, ping-pong balls and duct tape. Now do it in Polish.
The main building. The most important room of the center was in this building. Oh, and the first floor had the dining hall.
This is the main intersection of Bedlewo. The green street sign says "Lodz 2". So, yes, I did come within 2 kilometers of Lodz.
Continuing to the right of the previous picture, we have the rest of the main drag. It took great caution to avoid getting caught up in the bustle of activity.
Two views of heron nest atop church. Truly inspiring. (Ok, that was bad.) Seriously, Bedlewo seems like a great place to raise children, so she should have no egrets. (Ok, that was bad AND predictable.)
Across the street from the church, we have the mall. (Thanks, Jani.)
The cross street, aka "the burbs".
On the cross street, we discovered a farmer's access road. Being the inquisitive math-types, we followed it. This house is on the corner of the two roads.
Further along the access road. What is that to the left and right you ask?
To the left.......
and right. Just what is growing? Beets me.
Further along the road, we come across a tree. I think I saw nothing lovelier.
As they say, this is country of Poles.
"Nothammer"? I feel like I was looking at the painting of a hat called "This is not a hat." This was from our tour bus we rode to visit old castles. Or was it a "notbus"?
Front of the first castle we visited. Note the exuberant joy demonstrated by the mathematicians upon being released from the institute.
The back.
Side view.
The courtyard to the second castle. Great lawn for croquet. Or bocce.
View of the wings hidden by the trees in the previous shot. They really need to do something about the yellow. I'm thinking puce. What? I can't hear you, your paint job is too loud.
And this plant needs to go. Gives me the urge to see a sadistic dentist.
Walking to the back, we encounter a pyramid surrounded by a hedge maze. Clearly, the exterior designer had issues.
View within the maze.
View atop the pyramid.
Right behind the main building, we have giant environmental witches embedded in the courtyard.
More embedded witches.
Further back are the three oldest trees in Poland. They are nicknamed "Poland, Russia, and
Czechoslovakia".
Notice the first tree has some support to the left and right of the trunk. A different view.
If one wishes to ponder the implications of the symbolism, benches are provided. Ironically, they are of this style. coincidence? I think not.
Winding around the estate, we nearly got lost. Luckily, this sign helped us out.
Having walked for hours, we wished to use the bubbler (drinking fountain, for you non-cheeseheads).
Fully refreshed and absorbing as much local culture as possible, we returned to the bus for our return trip.
View from the bus. The forest had a certain "Kettle Moraine" vibe to it. Except there were no moraines. Or kettles. Um, nevermind.