So near, yet so far - Europe

The PhD studies have opened a totally new horizon for me to do NT studies: historical contexts and background. To many, that is just the normal perspective, but for me who started out with literary/structural studies, the past three years of study has led me right into the heart of socio-historical context of the Graeco-Roman world (and some Ancient Near East stuff). I remembered I told my supervisors very naively and laughingly at the beginning that I will not use that method, as the method I usually use is enlightening in itself. And I believe they commented on my change of mind after more than a year with pleasant surprise. Lo and behold, I walked right into it in the second year, when digging into background and contexts helped to unlock images in the book of Revelation. This of course is accompanied with attention to the context of the whole text. With Godsent people, very kind to help--they have enriched my learning experience enormously. It is different to interact with someone who is an expert from just reading off the book. You have the assurance that if you have someone to help bounce off imaginative ideas, you will not be too far off the mark. The subject of historical contexts is still alluring, and Europe, with its rich heritage is now becking. There is much more to learn. With about a few more months stay in UK, I confess that I have not travelled outside Edinburgh, except to do transit somewhere or to attend conferences. It would be a shame if I don't do some travelling, especially if this is the only chance in life to be so near, with time at leisure, to the places that hold the secrets of the past.