La Dolce Vita at IAS

So, it's been a month now since our arrival in Mount Olympus. Yes, that's what they call the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) in Princeton! There's the privilege soaked town of Princeton, glowing from a divine perch above the rest of insipid New Jersey. Then, there's the anointed Princeton University, its Gothic buildings shouting out exclusivity. And, even more sacred is IAS, the place we get to call home for a brief period of our existence! Us mortals, members here for only a short time, get to check out the digs of the gods, permanent faculty carefully selected from the world's brainiest academics.

This is Fuld Hall, the main administrative building with the school of mathematics offices on the top floor. Sprawling lawns at the front and back of this building give it an even greater air of distinction. The elegant common room is furnished with leather sofas and Persian rugs. A bust of Einstein on a pedestal pays tribute to the Institute's most famous permanent faculty member. (It's Einstein Drive that you take to enter the grounds.) Every afternoon I indulge in afternoon tea and fresh baked goodies in the common room. Members of various schools stand in clusters arguing/discussing/opining in academese. I usually grab the New Yorker or Harper's from the impressive rack of newspapers and periodicals, and escape to a quiet corner.

I have a desk in the library of the Humanities building with this lake view. In the evenings we often relax here with a glass of wine. The weather all through September has varied between sultry and perfect, allowing us to take full advantage of the beautiful grounds of this campus.

The founders of IAS were focused on creating a peaceful environment to promote contemplation and intellectual ideas. So the Institute Woods came into being - a combination of preservation and active planting. We walk through these woods frequently in the the cool shadows of beeches and oaks, and other species. It truly is rejuvenating after a day of thinking and concentrating. A deer might make an appearance, and birdsong is ever present. The changing light through the tree-tops in the morning and evening is magical.

Beyond the woods is the Delaware and Raritan Canal. Sunday afternoon cycle rides along what used to be the mule towpath, gets us in the midst of some seriously gorgeous scenery. Last week we cycled to Lake Carnegie where the cycle path goes between canal and lake. We watched a snowy egret take off from the bank, then a blue crane flapped its wings and glided into the air. The canal and pathways on weekends are abuzz with people - kayaking, fishing, jogging, or just strolling.

The Institute to me is like a five star academic resort. How dost thou pamper us? Let me count the ways: A tasteful apartment designed for comfort; International academic families for neighbors; fine on site dining; a shuttle to get to town and shopping centers; Harry's Bar for entertainment - featuring live Jazz bands, decent wine and beer; classical music concerts once a month; lavish cocktail parties; on site gym; yoga; free tennis lessons; ... The list goes on.

An eventful first month has slipped by. We made a few trips by train into New York City for opera, a Broadway play, and restaurants. A math trip to Bethesda, Maryland gave us the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. It was a perfect September weekend for strolling around the mall and the Ellipse (we had to gaze at Obama's house after all!). Also went to the Smithsonian Museums to wallow in the great collections in beautiful Greek Revival buildings.
The calendar for next month looks scarily full too. What a life!