Intensive learning

Three weeks into the classes, 30% of term-1 behind me, I am breathless.

There is a mountain of learning, and feels as if only a molehill is sinking in.

The professors are world-class. Never saw finance from these angles. Nor economics. 
Love the strategy and marketing classes where it is more interactive than a knowledge dump on us!

We get our weekly dosage of laughs in micro-economics class. Secretly I think that professor might be resenting having students who don't understand the nitty-gritty of economics well, and craves to have a discussion on much more equation-atorial levels! 

One of my classmates even launched a blog which captures professor's quotes in the class:

http://mungonomics.wordpress.com/

[And that is entrepreneurial spirit. Try out your idea immediately. This blog is a hit in the class! 

And if you think that is a bleak example of innovation, another plans to build and launch a new, and "greener" airport in Spain, in competition to the existing ones! We have the entrepreneurial-project weekend coming-up where different ideas will be pitched. Look forward to that!]

Well, today in the same class, we were told that there is no nobel prize for mathematics as nobel's wife had an affair with a mathematician. Good for a laugh, but how much value to hear rumors in economic class... a question which is on the flip side of the coin.

Overall, after earlier 18years of education in Asia, I like this intuitive approach to teaching here in Europe.

Back to studies and wrapping up last week's assignments...

Matriculation!

And we matriculated last weekend!

Students become official members of the university at the matriculation ceremony.

Afternoon 1pm! Nostalgic undergrad days...

Mood was jubilant all around the town with hundreds of fresher students on the street donning the gowns.

Famous words from our Vice Chancellor in the solemn and quite hall (except for few coughing students) where the ceremony was being held:
"...you are continuing the tradition of many who have come before you, many who have coughed in the same way..."

He might have shared few other jokes, but I missed those, as part of the speech was in Latin!

Until 100yrs ago, there used to be a Latin test, mandatory for admission into the university. 'am I glad they discontinued with that practice!

Easy there...

Tried out rowing for the first time!

A great sport, and a wonderful experience actually getting into the isis and rowing in a team.

Good thing that I had met the team's cox before as he was kind enough to give a personal guidance on the techniques. Once on the river, it is easy to panic and lose rhythm with the other guys.

Learnt also that the people who are sitting on the boat and not rowing actually have a big role to play in keeping the boat balanced. "Easy there" was the cue from the cox for us to stop doing anything and try balance the boat!

I guess same concept applies to business, many people contribute by not doing anything ;)

Isis river, near the longbridge boat house. It was drizzling, and chilly, but we forgot about weather once the rowing started and the captain started shouting instructions

Like other sports, there are lot of terminologies here... bow and stroke sides, catch and drive, blades, riggers, wingnuts etc. "Hold it" is a signal that you have to keep your blade vertical in the water in order to brake, and "Feathering your blade" is keeping it parallel to water.

The classes are running in full-swing.

In addition to syllabus, everyday is some new learning...

For instance, did you know that Gillette spent 750mm$ in R&D costs of it's 3-blade razor (when it's 2-blade razor was already a success in the market), followed by ~1bb$ (this one is market estimate) for it's fusion series of razors!!

Does make one think whether it was innovation or mismanagement ;)

Was it only yesterday!

Feels like it!!

The classes started this week and it took off like a jet does from an aircraft carrier.

Weekend is here, where most of saturday is already dedicated to matriculation ceremony (unique about this place are these traditions, we dress up in robes and go in a procession of our respective colleges to get matriculated -- get official membership in the University.)

And then before Sunday need to wrap up a Marketing case study and catch up on a bunch of pre-reading for the coming week. After a macabre Friday, was it advisable to wine and dine with a group of social-anthropologists, development DPhil students? But that is Oxford, bask in those moments, float with the tides, then swim against them, get stronger! At least that's what I feel for now.

Adding to the "floating with the tides", 'attended Oxford university Japan society, played ping pong with some university champs, and attended the A-Z BOP (bop is a party with varying themes, heard it is short for "Big Open Party" -- one of those parties which is open to other college students.)

There is a huge checklist to be covered though! Some pictures from around...

Radcliffe Observatory, Tower of the winds. In Green Templeton College.

Stairs inside of Radcliffe Observatory

chess in the lawn of the college

 All souls college

Saïd Business School

The Bodleian library is one of the only 7 libraries entitled to receive a copy of every book published in UK. 7 million volumes in 110miles of shelving!
They don't lend, even King Charles l was refused permission to borrow a book!

It recently ran out of space!! We definitely are living in fast & changing times :)

Well, more as it happens... few light moments from the classes in first week:

A successful social entrepreneur quoting on humility:

"You can sit in the loftiest throne in the world,

but you are still sitting in your own rump!"

A professor:

"Insider trading like adultry, is a sin, not a crime;

condemned only by people who can't participate"

Fellow student:

"Economics is study of... irrational assumptions by rational people"

Tomorrow we don our dark suits, white bows, the sub-fuscs, the mortar-hats, and walk the 800 year old streets to get matriculated. When the big wooden doors shut, and while the tourists stand outside marveling on the proceedings inside, the cohort take their oaths...

crawling towards fecundity

First week of induction and orientation. We started our day with the Dean writing one figure on the board: "30,000".

Average lifespan in days.
And we are giving away 1% of that to here.

Made me think of the other percentages I've given elsewhere. Not totally wasted, but not productive in abundance either.

So now we are part of four communities: The MBA class, the b-school (where we can go talk to other researchers, social entrepreneurs, neoclassical and neuro economists -- didn't know about these subjects until a day before -- quant analysts and others), the college (for pastoral care, accommodation, food, fun and sports) and the umbrella body of Oxford University.

The vision is to produce organizational intellects.

There is a big onus, *inheritors of a privilege*, on our shoulders to think hard on the hardest problems, and handle those with sophistication too :)
Retrospect in another year, on how far we can uncap our ambitions and develop the capacity on this scale.

From this first week here:

-Proctors are university officials investigating malpractice. Once a case goes to them, not even dean or even director can interfere. I think they even dress like the black-hooded death-eaters, and hope never to cross path of one!

-There are tons of extra-curricular opportunities! If I don't decide early what all I want to take-up, it is very easy to get inundated.

-We are encouraged to try out ideas if we have any, without the fear of impacting the university, or even getting formal permissions etc., for that matter. "It is a 900 years old institution which has withstood through much. Don't worry that your actions might break it."

-We can attend lectures in other parts of university (other disciplines) if we feel like it. A pity that our own schedule looks to be so tight.

-Banking system is a shame! Took me one week to open an account, yet to receive the cash-card. General service levels is in a sorry state too.Many banks charge as much as GBP8 per month for student's account; 96pounds a year for a normal bank a/c!

-Shops close by 6pm! A mellow life for the locals, opportunity for the business-savvy!

Forest Est Veritas

Oxford, the city of dreaming spires. 
Have to be here to actually experience the magic.

Arrived early this week, what a place!

St. Margaret's street. Staying here until my long term accommodation gets ready for moving-in.

Market square. That's HSBC bank next to the clocktower. Double-decker buses everywhere, and I've heard some nasty stories about the drivers not giving a bugger about pedestrians or bikers! Met a friend yesterday who got hit by a bus, a tough guy -- bus window broke, but his head had only a little bump!

Braving these stories, I'm still on the roads, on bike!!

Church near woodstock road, early misty-morning

Green templeton college, observatory building.

The famous Eagle and Child pub

Randolph hotel. The city itself is not that big, I like that aspect too.
And if tired of city-life, countryside is not that far away!

I biked for 30mins to reach Oxford meadows. Late in the night, glowing in full-moon, the meadows looked very mysterious (Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew readers will probably enjoy this "mysterious"!), and maybe a little spooky.

Old old buildings, elaborate architecture!

Museum

The bridge of sighs. Hertford College.

City with such long tradition is bound to have it's own resident ghosts. This one couldn't escape the lens..

Radcliffe camera building. Having seen so many pics of this, was great to be able to take some myself!

Here is how some of the lanes in the city look like. Colleges are very protective of their campuses (as is evident from the high walls). Legacy from olden days where the rivalry was to the extent of violence! We still cannot just walk into other colleges we do not belong to, unless it is a open day, or have formal (registered) invite from any of residents!

Still can't have enough of the architecture, of the city!

And when I talk with older students -- who are here, in some cases, more than three years -- they still can't seem to get enough either! I envy the great minds who have settled here.

One bothersome part is the downpour, and a very moody one at that!

Overall, just the place to spend a year in mid-career -- reflect and train. Equip with the wherewithal necessary for the next round.

Cross country in Japan

Finally I could take a long break and travel across Japan: Tohoku, Hokkaido, Chugoku, and Kyushu districts.
Earlier I'd been around Kanto, so gave that a skip, along with neighboring district of Kinki (yes! there is a district by that name, and a University! 'think would be fun to say "'am a kinki graduate")


Japan is a splendidly beautiful country, be it cities or countryside. Of the most safest, and convenient, places for backpacking.



Day 1
Started from Tokyo, took a train to Akita (there are multiple options, fastest of which is Shinkansen -- bullet train, which is most expensive as well). There are also night trains, with budget sleeper compartments (goron to shito) and carpet-compartments (Nobinobi). Akebono runs from Ueno to Aomori (stops at Akita), Moonlight echigo runs from Shinjuku to Niigata.

I was armed with a Hokkaido & Higashinihon pass, which allowed use of all rapid and regular trains all the way to Hokkaido and then within Hokkaido too. It is a steal at $100, but the downside is that many super-fasts and bullet-trains don't allow a ride with a top-up on this pass (i.e. you have to get a complete-fare ticket)

Aoike (blue pond) is close to Akita, in the mountains of Shirakami-sanchi -- a world heritage area. The surreal blue and clear water looked beautiful with sun streaming in through the forest around.

Day 2

Very memorable was the leg between Akita and Aomori on Gono-sen. This train line runs adjacent to the sea of Japan most of the time. If you are riding Gono-line in late afternoon time, take the Shirakami resort train. Its plush seats, extra-large windows and in-house live local music is the most romantic setup for watching the sun go down into the ocean! Even the day time ride that I took on this was totally worth the extra fare!

This European castle style building is a restaurant near one of the stations on gono-line -- Wespa Tsubakiyama. Furofushi hot-spring is ~2kms from here. Great place to take a dip in mud-water while watching the sun set into sea of Japan.

Day 3

After resting in Moya Hills (excellent night view of Aomori city), took a train from Aomori to Shimokita and then a bus from Shimokita to Mt. Osore-zan.

Osore-zan, it is believed by locals, is the place where souls of dead gather. Very picturesque place with mountains all around and a huge pond in the center, with a clean stretch of white-sand beach!

There are small suphuric ponds (known as "hells") around due to which smell of sulphur is pervasive. 

Shimokita-hanto peninsula is close to this place, and is the northernmost tip of Honshu. Mountains around looked ideal for a hike, but I was eager to get to Hokkaido and pressed on!

If you are in Aomori during first week of August, enjoy the local flavors in Nebuta festival parade. 

Day 4

Hamanasu express is a night train between Aomori and Sapporo (Hokkaido). The Hokkaido pass is accepted in this train, with a small charge for reserving the seat. Hokkaido is big! Specially so if you are taking the regular trains from one place to another.

Asamushi onsen is close to Aomori (~30mins by train). There are many hot-springs here with a good ocean view. This small hill/island in near Asamushi onsen station.

Day 5

Went on to south-east Hokkaido, to Abashiri. Abashiri is the largest town on Okhotsk coast. Proximity to Russia (and early Russian influence) is evident in all the town signboards, which is written in Japanese and Russian. Abashiri prison is out of use now (except for tourism). A beautiful backdrop of mountains and looks more of a vacation place that a place to be sentenced at!

 

A small station on the way from Abashiri to Kushiro.

Day 6

Kushiro wetlands -- miles and miles of greenery, with only the Kushiro river cutting through. Sitting at this viewpoint for few moments takes away all the fatigue of hike!

Crabs in Kushiro market. Near to Kushiro station, in this supermarket you can make your own sashimi-donburi (fresh fish with rice-bowl). Hokkaido dairy, fish and other foods too is delicious!

Day 7

Nemuro, on the east coast of Hokkaido. Earliest sunrise in Japan is said to be here! I couldn't go, but heard that cape Nosappu has got a splendid view. Also has Japan's oldest lighthouse. 

Public conveyance is sparse as you go towards the interiors in Hokkaido. Having your car (or rental) is helpful.

Before dawn, a lighthouse in Nemuro.

Day 8

Flower farms in Biei. Biei and Furano are in central Hokkaido. Farms here are maintained so primly that you would think that farmers are spending more time on decoration than on produce.. guided tours from Biei station are recommended than venturing out on your own, unless you are driving

Day 9

Otaru. On western coast of Hokkaido. Kamome birds following the launch which I took from Otaru to Otamoi coast. They were a delight to watch, specially when catching food mid-air (thrown by kids in the boat).

 

Otamoi coast has got beautiful rock formations on sea. The area around is nice for hiking and camping.

Otaru Canal

Day 10

Sapporo. This is the garden of Hokkaido University. Japanese landscaping at its best!

Day 11

A visit there isn't complete without going to the Sapporo beer factory.

Did you know that Sapporo, Yebisu and Asahi beers were being brewed by the same company? Got split into separate companies due to antitrust laws after WW II.

Return from Sapporo to Tokyo was by air. Check out AirDo and Skymark airways in that sector for budget fares. 


Day 12
Boarded the Nishitetsu night bus from Tokyo to Hakata. They said that 14hrs journey is the longest bus-route ride in Japan!



Day 13
Fukuoka, Kyushu in southern Japan.
Try the yummy yatais (open food-stalls which are in business as the sun sets), local ramen and gyoza.

Indian Gods' sculptures close to Fukuoka tower. Beach is right behind the tower. If you can drive farther, there are many other less crowded and pristine beaches near this city.






Day 15
Stayed back in Fukuoka.
You can spend a few days here trying various local foods and partying in tenjin district, even just walking around in the town is good fun here! When tired, there is a beach to chill at, all within 30mins radius.
Had planned a itinerary of Hakata -> Kumamoto -> Aso -> Yufuin -> Beppu -> Hiroshima. But the buses/trains aren't so frequent in that sector and couldn't stick to this plan!

Remains of Fukuoka castle

Day 16

Kumamoto. The castle here is ranked amongst the topmost in Japan.

Day 17

From Kumamoto to Beppu, again a bus journey. The fares are quite steep here, and unless you have a seishin juhachi kippu, it is worth getting the SunQ pass offer by Kyushu local bus company.

Beppu is THE onsen place in Japan. In almost every street you'll find a sauna/hot-spring. What more, all are from natural volcanic hot water with medicinal value. I really felt the difference in skin texture after trying some of the mud baths. Quite a few good mountains to hike around this town, good for secret onsen hunters too!

Nabeyama-no-yu. An open onsen up in the mountains. Get a map from the local tourist office (or your hotel clerk). You can drive up much of the way or hike for ~30mins to reach here. Total bliss to take a dip here in natural surroundings!

Day 18

Yufuin. Just a brief stop here on the way to Aso, to see the lake kinrinko. This town is also known for onsens.

Lake kinrinko

Day 19

While I traversed the north mostly by train, south was mainly in buses.

Aso was one of the main places I'd set out for. But then stopping at the other places and then pressing on to Nagasaki, and further to Hiroshima was totally worth it.

Mt. Aso and the peaks around are simply phenomenal. One of the largest calderas in the world, the active volcano there is mesmerizing too!

Carry a picnic basket and enjoy the grasslands of kusasenri on the foothills of Mt. Aso.

Day 21

Back to Kumamoto. Hakata and kumamoto are hubs Kyushu. There is a direct bus service from Beppu to Hiroshima, but that ran only once a day if I remember right. Didn't find any direct conveyance from Aso to Hiroshima.

Once I reached Kumamoto and had a chat with the tourist office there, decided instead to first go see Nagasaki, head back to Hakata and then head to Hiroshima.

Kumamoto city at dawn

Day 22

Nagasaki. From Kumamoto port, took a ferry to Shimabara and then a bus to the city. This latter bus ride took way too long! Nagasaki is surrounded by mountains on three side and due to its vicinity to the ocean, flourished as a trading post in earlier times. The city has rebuilt itself very beautifully, but it still is sad to witness the dark side of human nature at the atomic bomb sites and museums.

Heiwa (peace) status. The right hand points to the atomic bomb, left hand to peace, face prays deeply for victims of war, folded leg symbolizes meditation and the left leg is poised for action in assisting humanity!

Exquisitely designed prayer and memorial hall in Nagasaki

Day 22

Back to Hakata and further on to Hiroshima in a night bus. Reached Hiroshima a day before the anniversary and the town was immersed in prayers and memories of the ones lost in bombing.

Hiroshima castle

A display in the museum, heart-wrenching account of a survivor:

--Michiko Ogino (10yrs old at that time)--

My two year old sister was crying hysterically,
trapped under the fallen house.

The beam was so heavy.
The sailors tried to lift it but went away
saying "it's no use."

Suddenly I saw someone running towards us.
It was a woman.
She was naked and her body was purple. "Mother!"

Now we thought everything would be alright. 

Our neighbor tried to lift the beam but it did not budge.
"It's impossible," he said. "There's just no helping it."
He bowed deeply in apology and went away.
The fires were approaching quickly. Mother's face went pale.

She looked down and my sister peered up
with fear-stricken eyes.

Mother scanned the beam again,
then slid her shoulder under it
and heaved upward with all the strength in her body.
The beam rose with a crack and my sister's leg came free.

But mother sank exhausted to the ground. 

She had been out in the field picking eggplants for lunch
when the bomb exploded. Her hair was red and frizzled.
Her skin was burnt and festering all over her body.
The skin had ripped right off the shoulder
she had applied to the beam.
The muscle was visible and blood was streaming out.
She soon began to writhe in agony,
and she died that night.

  

 Hiroshima dome -- world heritage site

O-tori, big gate, in Miyajima island near Hiroshima. The gates are usually built outside shrines, but as this whole island is considered sacred, the gate is built in ocean! One of the most scenic places in Japan.

And back to Tokyo (in a Willer-travels bus,
direct Hiroshima-Tokyo)

"We shall not cease from exploration

And at the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And to know the place for the first time." T.S.Eliot

Wakkanai in northern tip of Hokkaido, and Kagoshima islands down south (and Okinawa of course) is next ...

Thank you Japan!