On Monday I left Providence and swung by Boston again to check out Keezers, a famous used clothing store. I was impressed with their selection, and I found a used Italian suit that I really liked. But even used it was 300 USD. Pass.

Next stop, New Haven, where I met Michelle (a friend from Middlebury) for a pizza dinner. Apparently New Haven has a reputation for pizza, and although we didn't go to the most famous places, it was very good.

She directed me to a hike that took me to a great view of the city:

And offered me a bed. Thanks Michelle! I was able to enjoy a 100% flat bed and a shower that didn't cost $18. She lives in the attic of a larger house and has a great view of the sunset:

We talked for quite a while that evening, she shared her doctoral research with me. She is studying the Dura-Europos church in Syria. It is the oldest church in last-used condition (meaning not built over later), and home to the earliest image of Christ. From 256 AD. The story of why it was preserved is fascinating. The Romans built an embankment over the buildings, destroying part of them and preserving another part. So certain scenes on the walls were preserved almost completely while for others we have only the feet.

The ancient town also houses a third century synagogue which disrupted Jewish studies, as it has images of scenes from the Hebrew Bible, and all theretofore known Jewish practice was not iconographic.

She also showed me versions of Harry Potter translated into Ancient Greek and Latin, and an edition of The Hobbit in Latin. I hope to be able to read them some day.

Altogether it was a very pleasant stay and Michelle was so hospitable. She even cranked her A/C for my delicate California senisitivity. Again, thanks Michelle.

The next day, I checked out Yale campus for a little while.

I saw their ridiculously secure rare book archive:

And as I write this, I am realizing that I forgot to see the earliest image of Christ, which is on display in the Yale Art Museum. Gah.

Then I drove through New York to reach a truck stop on the other side of the city. It was unpleasant. Rude drivers and poor signage.

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