Treasures of Eastern and Central Europe The opportunity to be a guest scholar for a group of faculty from one of the best community colleges in the nation was unique and gratifying.  The Institute turned out to be everything I imagined it to be and more.  First of all, the readings, which covered the history, culture, and literature of many Central and Eastern European countries (not only the three actually visited), produced an amazing picture of rich cultural heritage often unjustly neglected by our educational system.  As a native of Poland who has lived and traveled throughout Eastern Europe, I was particularly fascinated by the changes in political, economic, and cultural climates in the countries we explored.  The small size of Hungary offered us a great opportunity to travel to Esztergom, Szentendre, and Pécs, and the presence of a native guide, Réka, who had attended college in the U.S., not only made it much easier to communicate our needs, but also allowed us to experience the true Hungarian hospitality and, for a few precious hours, become a part of an Hungarian household. The week in Prague was for me a long-dreamed-of return to one of the most beautiful cities of the world and an adventure in discovering, rediscovering, and photographing (among many other things) architectural Art Nouveau details on the facades of many astonishing buildings. It was also an occasion to refresh my Czech language skills and to search for bargains in Prague bookstores. Selected photographs (perhaps 10 percent) of the total number taken during the trip were used to create this web page.  Looking at the photographs, I feel nostalgic... I want to return to Hungary and the Czech Republic to continue my explorations and I dream of becoming a member (or a guest scholar) of another Institute to Eastern and Central Europe, perhaps to Russia, Rumania, Bulgaria, or the countries of the former Yugoslavia, all of which possess unbelievable cultural treasures often overlooked by institutions of higher learning in the United States. E-MAIL