Leuven, Belgium--monks, African Christianity, and bicycles

I arrived this morning in Brussels and then immediately trained over to Leuven for the International Donatist Studies Symposium--a conference on early African Christianity hosted by the Catholic University of Leuven. I'm privileged to be staying at a monastery run by the Augustinians of the Assumption order. The conference includes a lineup of some very impressive scholars from Europe, the USA, and Australia (see full schedule HERE). I'm especially looking forward to papers from Maureen Tilley (Fordham University), Jane Merdinger, and Geoffrey Dunn (Australian Catholic University)--scholars whose works I've greatly benefited from in my own research and teaching. I'm quite humbled to be here and truly wondering how I got invited in the first place:). 

While struggling to keep myself awake today, I got to walk around, have some food (and strong espresso) and, of course, could not help but observing Leuven daily life. The city center is beautiful and graced with some amazing cathedrals, there are several cobble stone walking streets with inviting shops, and many save on the price of gas by getting around on bicycles. I was reminded of the three years that Shawn and I lived in France and how much I appreciate Europe. I came across this short video of the city that you might enjoy. Peace! els