The Riveras in Edinburgh: Leuven

At the end of October, I spent a few days travelling to Leuven, Belgium. It was a great time in a great little medieval city. I really loved Leuven and can’t wait to go back. The pub scene is great and the chocolate is delicious.

I attended the Leuven Encounters in Systematic Theology (VII) and delivered a paper there on the phenomenology of creation in Michel Henry (a French dude who is gaining in popularity in the English speaking world). My advisor, Prof. Michael Purcell, was present as well as my cohorts in phenomenology: Jason Wardley and Nigel Zimmerman (fellow PhD students at Edinburgh). There is nothing like hanging out and drinking beer at the pubs talking theology and philosophy and making fun of those famous academics that we don’t like. While I couldn’t stay out until 3am, some of us in the group made the most of the mini-vacation.

Me--Standing outside of American College

I was there for about 5 days in total and got to stay at the American college, where Catholic priests live while studying at the Univ. of Leuven—which is, by the way, a world class place to study theology and continental philosophy. It is a beautiful old building with very nice people. The city itself is one amazing piece of medieval architecture (except for the ugly and modern looking Imbev. Inc brewery building—the one that took over Budweiser!). The cathedrals and government buildings are spectacular. Some pics here should give you a taste of the city itself. Not more than a 100,000 in population with lots of students, the city feels very alive and active. I found my favorite piece of art in St. Peter’s cathedral too: St. Augustine teaching Thomas Aquinas, a very Protestant interpretation indeed.