Photos from Iran, 2009

• IPM (Institute for Physics and Mathematics), location of IPM 20 - Combinatorics 2009 conference
  
  
• Four participants, IPM, Tehran
  
  
• Waiting for group photo, IPM, Tehran
  
  
• Vida Salahi with Tehran in background
  
  
• Gholamreza B. Khosrovshahi (second from left) receiving gift for 70th birthday. On the left is M. J. A. Larijani, Director of IPM.
  
  
• Peter Frankl at conference banquet
  
  
• Conference banquet with Hélène Barcelo and Vida Salahi
  
  
• Why is this drain covered? (Answer below)
  
  
• Brendan McKay having an epiphany
  
  
• Mosque with birds, Isfahan
  
  
• Bridge in Isfahan. Note dry river bed. The water was dammed for summer usage because winter precipitation in mountains was below average.
  
  
• Naghsh-i Jahan Square, Isfahan, one of the largest city squares in the world (560 by 160 meters). (The largest is Tiananmen Square, 880 by 500 meters.)
  
  
• A den of iniquity, Isfahan (with Hélène Barcelo)
  
  
• ZFC, Isfahan
  
  
• Entrance to Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque, Isfahan
  
  
• Iman Mosque (or Blue Mosque), Isfahan
  
  
• "Peacock" dome, Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque, Isfahan. So called because light reflection looks like a peacock's tail.
  
  
  
  

Answer to question above. Drivers would use the water to wash their cars, thereby blocking traffic.