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)

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.

Master Pieces of Artworks from Budapest

From March 9th to Juillet 10 2016,  master pieces of Budpest Museum will be on exposition in Paris Luxembourg museum. The collections vary from the Midde-Age sculptures to the symbolism and the expressionnisme, in total about 80 paintings, drawings and sculptures by Dürer, Cranach, Greco, Goya, Manet, Gauguin, Kokoschka and other dozens of artworks of Hungry.

(info from:  http://museeduluxembourg.fr/expositions/chefs-doeuvre-de-budapest)