Strasbourg, a French city on the border of Germany

I spent my Easter this year in Strasbourg, a north-easten french city on the border of France and Germany.

Strasbourg's historical center is located on a big island, where you could find the famous Gothic-styled Cathedral and the beautiful area of "Little France" with the typical wooden houses. Strasbourg is also famous for its X'mas market.

Either wandering in the city discovering each little corners, or climbing up the Cathedral, or taking the boat tour along the canal with a vivid explanation of the city stories would be very nice. More over, the boat tour will take you to a new area of the city where the European Parlement is situated.

Don't miss out the delicious food in Strasbourg. Choucroute(different kinds of pork and sausages), Tarte Flambée, Baeckoff, Brezel bread, varies beer and wine. However, the Salad Alsacian really surprised me, as I was expecting something "green", I've got a big portion of cheese with sausages on the top and it was tasty!

For some historical and geographical reasons, Strasbourg has mixed culture of France and Germany, through the food, the language, way of living, etc.  It recalls me "La dernière Classe" of Alphonse Daudet, which I learnt in the primary school.  

Alphonse Daudet : La dernière Classe

Around Strasbourg, Colmar, a picturesque town lies in the south part of Strasbourg. Only 30 mins by train to get there from Strasbourg station.  If you have even more time, you may also cross the frontier to enjoy the thermal in Baden-Baden, Germany.

Are You a Big Fan of Phantom of the Opera?

Are you a big fan "Phantom of the Opera"? 

No doubt I am. Being to the its musical theater show, read the novel, watched the film, and imagined about the story when I was inside Opera Garnier where the story took place. 

When I took the Parisian metro, the pub of the show caught my eyes again. This dramatic and fantastic story combined with Andrew Lloyd Webber's music makes this musical theater quite popular. Melodies were flowing in my mind.














This musical theatre "Phantom of the Opera" is on show all over the world. If you'd be in Paris this Winter 2016, you may enjoy its French version at Theatre Mogador. 

Sacksick, Grey and White

First time I saw Gille Sacksick's works was on a post inside the Parisian Metro. I was amazed by his painting on the post with just some simple and pale grey colors however so impressive!! It was the first time Sacksick's name come to me.

Since his first solo exhibition in 1968, he spent 40 years in painting, meeting people, joining events and making researches. His works vary from portraits, landscapes, still lives, etc. His works were often shown in different galleries in the world. He was also interested in theatre and music. Nowadays, La Maison-près-Bastille presents his works every year.

                                 









(info from: http://gillessacksick.com/)

Metz, North-east part of France

Recently I went to Metz to visit my friend. Metz is a city in the north-east part of France close to Germany and Luxembourg, about one and half hour by train from Paris. It locates in the region of Lorraine. 

Soon as I stepped out of the Metz train station, I could feel the a little "Allemande or Flamand" styled something, red bricks buildings, clock tower, old bronze decors, etc.  Some pieces of snow flakes, in the grey early morning, along with the cold winter wind chilled me up. Just couldn't wait to discover the city and enjoy the thermal.

 

Thermal，Relaxed

My first stop is to go to the thermal near Metz. There was still a tiny trip to go, need to take Shuttle bus 77 to go to a little town nearby called Amnéville, where there are two thermal centers. Thermapolis center is similar as a public swimming pool, but the water is enough hot with different water massages and different fitness programmes, it also has a part in the open air. All you need to do is put on your swimsuits and jump in. 

Just remind you, the buses between Metz and Amnéville are not available every hour. If you go there by public transport, you just need to check up the detailed info （Transport Metz - Amnéville)

Metz Center

I spent a whole day walking around Metz center, impressed by the big Gothic Cathedral Saint-Étienne, amazed by Le Temple Neuf which sits on the island in the middle of the Seille river. 

Only a little unlucky that I was not able to visit two museums in Metz as it was Tuesday, the only day museums are closed in Metz.   Centre Pompidou Metz and Le Musée de la Cour d'Or.

A recommended restaurant : Le bouche à Oreille   @46 place Saint-Louis, Metz, France

The restaurant provides typical food from the region, the decoration looks warm and sympathetic. Their desserts could even make you happier.

Naples, has its own Order

"Napoli is dangerous","chaotic", " mafias", etc. Those rumours keep me from visiting Napoli for so long.  Luckily a good friend of mine  who lives there never thinks those are the facts of Napoli.  On the other side what I've discovered on my trip is that the city is full of history and is famous for its food and it is quite well in its own order.

Here are some interesting points I found:

1. Napolitans are very warm and direct.  Friends' friends are own friends, even they only know you for one day. Parties, dinners, weekend trips,etc, if you are in town, they won't miss you out.  When talking to the people, even within a little distance,  if the voice could reach, they won't make efforts to walk near. （that's why they have big voices?)

2. Points that we considered dangerous.  Must have one arm outside the window when driving, because the weather is so hot, and air conditioner doesn't work well in the car.  Crossing the road whenever and wherever you want without paying attention to the cars, who already catch your rhythm and slow down. However, if you hesitate to cross, this may cause a confusion to the drivers. 

3. Must be super fan of the football team Napoli. The team! the matches! the color blue! Maradona is the "God"!

Let's don't miss out the culture and the food.

It was an amazing trip to discover Napoli's underground. There's really another world under, well developed.  Some parts are used for collecting water, some parts are used for staying, there were also ancient markets under for fishes. From the stones, we could tell that they were built from different epochs, the earliest from the ancient Greek to Empire Romain to Middle Age, one built onto the other by using different shapes of stones.

For Napoli's history, not only has Ancient Greek and Romain, it was also taken by Spain, Napoleon, South Africa, etc . It also had its own emperor.  No wonder the dialect Neapolitan is mixed with many different languages and in the end formed its own.

Good food, it is true. Everything with the Extra Virgin Olive Oil, fresh, good coffee, famous pizza, light cheese. There are also other things which I just couldn't name them out, you have to go there and try them out yourself. 


Place of interests nearby Naples:
- Islands: Capri, Ischia
- Positano, Amalfi coast
- Pompeii

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)