Photo 1: Laundry out to dry
There are a lot of things that we Americans take for granted. One is the convenience of our washing machines, dryers and laundromats. In Poland, most houses/apartments may have a washing machine, but no dryer. Laundry is hung out to dry. My apartment has these odd racks above the bathtub (showers are another not readily available convenience in Poland!), there for the laundry.
Photo 2: Eat Less sign
This is a sign in a parking lot. Basically a Polish pun, what this says essentially is “Eat less to live better.” Zryj means “eat” while Żyj means “live.” Apparently this sign is controversial – some take this as good advice while others find this insulting to the heavier folks.
Photo 3a: Kababs
Near the “Eat Less” sign is this kabab restaurant. Kabab restaurants are usually Turkish- or Kurd-owned. The meat is on a big circular rack and is sliced thinly, to be served with fries or veggies. I am here with two of my Polish colleagues.
Photo 3b: Turkish tea
Also at the Kabab place is Turkish tea, served in small clear cups, without handles – watch your fingers!
Photo 4: Polish elevator numbers
In Poland the ground floor is “0” (1st floor in the US).
Photo 5: My T. rex
In the geology museum is this 1/4-scale Tyrannosaurus rex skull, donated by me.
Photo 6: Sample preparations
Here are my two Adas. “Tall” Ada prepared samples for me when I was here for the Fulbright. She is now training “Short” Ada, who is preparing samples for me this semester. The general process of sample processing is now complete and these samples are being readied to me turned into microscope slides, so I can “get to work”
Photo 7a: Kazkada Mall
I wound up with some extra time downtown, so walked into the Mall. Anyone who knows me knows I am not a “Mally” – actually, there is not a single thing that I would go into a mall to buy (I patronize antique shops and yard sales) – but here I am, in a mall. I assume a pretty good one if you go to these places to shop.
Photo 7b: Mall sales
It seemed that every store in the mall was having big mark-down sales, usually 70% off. I guess they are moving out the winter stuff and getting ready for Spring in Poland.
Photo 8: Stare Miasto
This is a night-time scene in the Stare Miasto (Old City). The buildings are not actually old as everything was lost through bombing during the war (U-boats were being built nearby). This building is lighted, very pretty.