What does your Chinese zodiac sign mean?

Today is the first day of Chinese new year of Monkey, which is one of the 12 signs on the zodiac Chinese which turns each lunar year. Do you really know what does your sign mean?  

• Rat: Intelligent, adaptable, quick-witted, charming, artistic, sociable.
• Ox: Loyal, reliable, thorough, strong, reasonable, steady, determined.
• Tiger: Enthusiastic, courageous, ambitious, leadership, confidence, charismatic.
• Rabbit: Trustworthy, empathic, modest, diplomatic, sincere, sociable, caretakers.
• Dragon: Lucky, flexible, eccentric, imaginative, artistic, spiritual, charismatic.
• Snake: Philosophical, organized, intelligent, intuitive, elegant, attentive, decisive.
• Horse: Adaptable, loyal, courageous, ambitious, intelligent, adventurous, strong.
• Sheep: Tasteful, crafty, warm, elegant, charming, intuitive, sensitive, calm.
• Monkey: Quick-witted, charming, lucky, adaptable, bright, versatile, lively, smart.
• Rooster: Honest, energetic, intelligent, flamboyant, flexible, diverse, confident.
• Dog: Loyal, sociable, courageous, diligent, steady, lively, adaptable, smart.
• Pig: Honorable, philanthropic, determined, optimistic, sincere, sociable.

(info from:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/)

Discover Orchids in Paris this Spring

Exposition: "MILLE ET UNE ORCHIDÉES" @ Jardin des plantes, Paris - Feb 11th to Mar 7th, 2016

This spring Le Jardin des plantes presents the " thousand and one orchids" from Feb 11th to Mar 7th. More than thousand orchids will be blooming together inside the tropical greenhouse. It will be an unmissable event for the lovers of flowers and the lovers of orchids.

During the exhibition, the big greenhouse inside Le Jardin des plantes will be filled with more than 3,000 kinds of the orchid, which come from Africa, Asia, America, Australia and Europe, among them 160 species are from France.

Bus : Lignes 24, 57, 61, 63, 67, 89, 91
Batobus : arrêt Jardin des Plantes.
Métro, RER : Ligne 5 Gare d’Austerlitz, Ligne 7 Censier Daubenton, Ligne 10 Jussieu ou Gare d’Austerlitz, RER C Gare d’Austerlitz


(Info from: 
http://www.sortiraparis.com/arts-culture/exposition/articles/58630-exposition-mille-une-orchidees-2016-au-jardin-des-plantes#ClAMz2thjWdl2iGS.99

http://www.jardindesplantes.net/fr/visitez/agenda/exposition/mille-orchidees-2016)

Le Douanier Rousseau, the Archaic Innocence

From March 22nd to July 17th 2016, Exposition "Le Douanier Rousseau, The archaic innocence" at Musee d'Orsay.

Talented painter, Henri Rousseau is a unique case in the history of European art. His work yet registered in his time at the turn of the twentieth century: by confronting his painting to some of his sources of inspiration, which account academicism as new paint. He has been enthroned as father of modernity. The archaic innocence is intended as a critical illumination of his art around a reflection on the notion of archaism.

The archaism is the common thread between his works of this exhibition. It has been presented at the Palazzo Ducale in Venice in 2015, before showing up at the Musée d'Orsay. The masterpieces of Henri Rousseau museum collections Orsay and l'Orangerie (from The Snake Charmer in The Night) will face the paintings lent by the most prestigious international institutions. 

@Musée d’Orsay
1, rue de la Légion d’Honneur
75007 Paris

( info from: http://www.musee-orsay.fr/fr/evenements/expositions/au-musee-dorsay/presentation-generale/article/le-douanier-rousseau-43250.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=254&cHash=06ffaa6c9e)

Pompeii, Ruins can't cover Ancient prosperity

Ancient Pompeii was a Roman city situated in the modern Campania region at the foot of Mont Vesuvius.  It was built on the fertile land between Vesuvius and the sea and was also used to watch out the ports on Gulf Naples. As it was on such important strategical position and was taken control by several forces. Meanwhile, the city was expanded and its economy, arts, architectures, etc were developed as well.

Unfortunately, all was buried after a big unexpected eruption of Vesuvius and it turned Pompeii into ruins. However, from ruin we could still see the "prosperous" Pompeii, from the temple of Apollo to Amphitheatre, from the house of Faun to the Villa of the Mysteries, etc.

Capri, the Most Poetic Island

"Capri, Capri! ..."  There are many songs and poems about Capri, little paradise island Napolitain. Isolated, distanced from the "chaotic" Naples city center, Capri is like pearl on the Mediterranean Ocean, with its own beauty and quietness.

Grotta Azzura, Faraglioni, Augusto's garden, Monte Solaro, Villa San Michele, etc. are among the most visited places on the island. 

P.S. Please pay attention of the notice if you do want to visit the Grotta Azzura. As it  might be closed for safety when the tide is high.

Gustave Moreau, Georges Rouault : Memories of Workshop

Jan 27th to April 25th 2016
Musée Gustave Moreau
14, rue de la Rochefoucauld
75009 Paris


From 1892 to 1898, Gustave Monreau (1826-1898) was the professor at L'Ecole des beaux-arts de Paris. Georges Rouault(1871-1958) was his favorite student, was considered as Monreau's "representative". The exhibition focuses on these two artists, presenting not only their visions on landscapes, women potraits, themes religious, but also the amazing common points in the material the color.

The memory from the students at Gustave Monreau, the prof considered himself as a passager, who used the liberal teaching method. "I am the bridge on which some of you spend." quoted from the professor.

(info from: 
http://www.exposition-paris.info/expo-peinture-paris-gustave-moreau-georges-rouault-souvenirs-d-atelier/
 http://musee-moreau.fr/evenement/gustave-moreau-georges-rouault-souvenirs-datelier#sthash.A4xDKcaB.dpuf)

"Red Ocher" Bologna

My first impression about Bologna came from the BBC Italian language learning program. In my mind, the city was in the red ocher color, ancient, historical, there were some old columns and had the oldest university in the world. 

Luckily I had chance to visit it last Xmas. Indeed ancient and historical. The center square is magnificent: Big Cathedral,  churches, museums, with Poseidon standing on the central square. 

Bologna is also famous for its high towers. Estimated total number is around 80 to 100 towers inside the city in Middle Age Bologna. I couldn't stop thinking about the middle age legends, high towers, flying dragons, trapped princess, brave knights, etc. They might all be true.

By the narrow stairs inside the tower, you could get up to the top of the tower. I do believe it was not at all an easy job to build these towers in 12th or 13th century. Either wouldn't be easy to climb up them.

What a wonderful view once get to the top! all the city is in you eyes now!

Those towers remember me of another little Toscana city - San Gimignano, where has the similar towers.