DUCKS, Klein Bottles, and Studying

Szia and hullo from your favorite class of St. Olaf math students who are currently in Hungary!

The past few days have been a flurry of studying and trying our darnedest to find things to do other than studying, for the much anticipated midterm. Last night was no exception to this theme of studying. We crammed and crammed, from hotel room to school to café to hotel room, we laid our notes out and tried to become confident, that we were indeed masters of number theory.

On top of the cramming, we looked back to better days. Back to times like three days ago, when we were in Szentendre, when Penelope personally was at peace with the world, getting closer than ever before to many, many ducks, feeding them some delectable duck food. It was the best. Ducks are wonderful, even if one was being a little brutish to the others, the greedy beast, trying to eat all of the snacks. Away from the secluded kingdom of Szentendre, all we have in Budapest are pigeons, but they are just as hungry and charming.

It made all of our stresses seemingly disappear, even if just for a short time. Whether it be ducks and pigeons, birds are just fabulous.

Penelope Is One With the Birds

 

In topological news... We had a mind-bending plenary from the highly intelligent Agnes Szilard, who presented on the topic of topology. The talk was mainly an introduction to the field, as many of us hadn't studied the topic before. She explained how topology is often referred to as rubber-sheet as objects can be stretched to act like other objects. It was so cool! Did you know a sphere is the same thing as a cube but not a donut (formally called a torus)? We also learned how you can make a "twisted donut" shape called a Klein bottle witch is a tube with only side like a Möbius strip! You actually make a Klein bottle by bending a Möbius strip into tube!

Klein Bottles on Parade!

But anywho, exploring cafés has become a norm for us traveling college students. Finding the cheapest and nicest cup o joe, along with the most comfortable, quiet place to disappear into math can prove quite a challenge. But us Oles persevere. We have found several places, and shall continue finding more, before this trip comes to a close.

Madal Café for some lovely tea and that

SuWu Café for some smoothies and maths

Other groups have mentioned the fabled "Cat Café," and we refuse to be left out. We visited one near to the university, and attempted to befriend each and every cat there. The cats were especially excited when Karina and Penelope ordered the hot chocolate, as they go crazy at the presence of whipped cream. A sure fire way to lure cats to be your friend. 

Cats on cats on cats on cats! 

But the important thing is, we studied.

~Szia~

And Now....It's Time For....

CHIP CHEP TASTE TEST

That's right folks, we went to the local grocers and collected a variety of true Hungarian chips, and here's what we thought.

CHIP #1: Pomsticks: Hot and Spicy

Karina: "The sticks are fun, but its all hot, and no flavor."

Amanda: "What?" *Makes weird face*

Penelope: "Hot and spicy=bleh"

Hannah: "Maybe it'll help me clear up my sinuses."

 CHIP #2: Master Crok: chicken?

Karina: ".... Chips should not be chicken flavor."

Amanda: "Tasteless."

Penelope: "Splendid, simply superb. The 

subtle chicken flavor along with the airy texture 

and delightful crunch made for the perfect treat."

Hannah: "These are cute! But not a fan."

CHIP #3: MAXX Deep Ridged: bacon

Karina: "Good dependable chip."

Amanda: "Good, not special."

Penelope: "Very deep ridges, definitely maxx."

Hannah: "I dunno."

CHIP #4: POM-BÄR ketchup

Karina: "These things will see into your soul. They see nothing good."

Amanda: "They're aiight, better then the Crok ones."

Penelope: "They reminded me of darker days past."

Hannah: "Frightening. French fries shouldn't be wrong."

CHIP #5: Chio: Fried Chicken Style

Karina: "Kinda tastes like barbecue chips, I like it."

Amanda: "Not that special, can't even remember the flavor."

Penelope: "It doesn't taste just like chicken."

Hannah: "Super Frightening."