Duncan in Poland - Part 3 (Castle and Gallery!)

 These photos arrived today from Duncan along with the note: 

"Off to the gallery/castle today.  Almost got to see Saint George and the Dragon, but they gave it back before I could see it."

I wan intrigued to hear Duncan's comments on the things they (Duncan and his friend Veronika) saw there.   I was particularly interested in "the King's golden socks" (scroll down to the end for a look-see). 

Lucky me, i got a late night WhatsApp call, to report out.   

They reported that you had to buy individual tickets for the various galleries/floors that you wanted to see.   They got tickets for the first and second floor, and the treasury!  they also got there very early in the morning, before the crowds arrived.

Duncan loved the audioguides: they were set up so that they gave you an overview of each room as you entered it, including the historical context.  Then a description of where to stand and what to see, and then very clear directions to the next space.

When asked what was most memorable, he muttered something about horses butts.  More fulsomely, he said they had 6 sculptures of horses, wearing serious regalia.  They were also positioned, however in front of a wall of mirrors, and so he kept getting distracted by the reverse view in the mirror, which made visible less the regalia than the skill of the artist in shaping the horse shanks. :-)

Duncan said there was a gallery of paintings where people were replicating the styles of various historical painters.  

He loved this one of the burning of Troy

This one, he said, had a fairly recognizable style!   Yep... i made the kids go see a cinematic documentary on Hieronymous Bosch (and this is a riff on his triptych "The Last Judgement").   So fun!

There was also a section of landscape and seascapes.  While the paintings were beautiful, the titles were boring (ie. "Landscape" or "Landscape with a Tree").  :-)

There were also lots of artefacts.  They sent along a photo of these lovely and verdant porcelain teapots and cups. 

I love how in this photo of the teacup display you can find Duncan and Veronika's reflection in the back).

Same here with this porcelain fox!

Duncan pointed also to this one room that is sort of the council room for parlement, where they would decide on new law.  They would argue in this place.... the citizens are above.  

Veronika says there is a legend that at one time, one of the heads spoke to calm down the argument of the people.

There was also this dresser drawer with two types of wood, turtle shell, polished bronze and steel.

They both said the treasury was  particularly amazing.

Duncan didn't remember to take a picture, but was also interested in an image of a panther.   People at the time, he said, thought panthers slept for 3 days, and were a bit like Christ in that respect.  And so a tapestry with a dragon fighting a panther was allegory for struggle between good and evil.

Veronika says she was last there in elementary school.  They both said that, as the day went along, and more young kids arrived, it got noisier.  Duncan notes the irony that he was once that little kid running around in museums making noise, and now he is the person wanting to tell the kids to slow down and be quieter.  LOL.   What comes around goes around! 

Duncan in Poland - part 2

 

Here is a bunch of photos from the first post-christmas travel day in Poland. Duncan says there are stories associated with these pictures, and the update will follow when Duncan has a chance.   Til then, we can make up our own stories about their choice of pictures to share!  :-)

Duncan's Christmas trip to Poland

Duncan headed off to Poland this Christmas to spend 3 weeks visiting with his friend Veronika. He told me I could post his photos for anyone who wants to follow the adventure.   So.... let me start with our selfies at the airport as he is leaving.

My photo of us...

Duncan's photos of us.

So... while Duncan has been something of a world traveller, it has usually involved travelling with others.  Not this time.  Footloose and fancy free! 

Duncan did have plans to also grab a few small bottles of maple syrup at the airport to take with him.  It was an adventure trying to get those bottles through Canadian, then American, then British, then Polish border control.  

He sent us an audio track telling us what happened.  I can't figure out how to drop it into this space, so here is a screenshot of the audio transcript (AIgenerated, warts and all)!

Flying into Warsaw

Duncan's friend Veronika

And so Duncan arrived in time for the decorating of the tree (and we all know that Duncan is a Christmas-superfan!)

before...

 

...and after!

And then there was time to wander off to a Christmas Fair

And of course, there had to be pizza.  Dominoes in Poland?

Same Dominos, different menu?

ah thge warm rosy glow of pizza

I am not sure, but think maybe Veronika is working at the Barbican?  And is Duncan being the delivery person?

The Barbican!  https://walkingwarsaw.com/culture/barbican-museum/

Duncan closed their report on the first night saying: "Many nuts, apple kompot is on the itinerary today and then we are off to the grandparents."

The next day involved a trip to grandmother's house (yes, feel free to start singing from Into the Woods if you wish!).  Duncan's text stream said, "Travel to the grandma's house today.  And what a greeting it was.  Trainrides, gingerbread, and a night of cooking and song.  I cannot fathom complaining!"

huh?  is that a bear in the distance?!

He continued, "Candied orange, whisky raisins, apple compote, soaked poppy seeds with milk, and a ton of things I could not begin to name.

the amazing gingerbread

Duncan was truly in heaven.  Their text summarized it:  "I got to make some perogies!"  This is truly a grandmother of the gods (as we all know that perogies are Duncan's favourite meal in the world)

 

With the next batch of photos, Duncan said: "We all preparing for the Christmas eve dinner and it is kinda scary hahaha.   Amazing though."

"Amazing night thus far, and I see it getting even more intense!  Though language barriers are tough, people are very patient with me so i am having a great time!  

Duncan's texts continued:

"People are still eating and bringing out new dishes, it's after 12 hahah."  

"I can't keep up, but there is cake at the end so....

"Side note, i just decided to eat everything so I have been enjoyig harren salad, mushroom borsh and perogies, I think it might be a matter of will, but my tastebuds might be dying who knows."

[editorial note:  Duncan is well known for having a very narrow palate, ie. 'bun-burger-bun'.  I used to tell him when he was young that, as he grew up, his tastebuds would start to die, and then a whole bunch of flavours would become more interesting to him lol]

 "The ginger bread and apple compote are on a different level."

"For reference, this is the leftovers from a party of 12..... and now we start dessert?!"

And thus ends the first report from Poland.   As Duncan said it, "Hope you all have a good Christmas as well."