We missed the tour of Kykuit, the Rockefeller estate on Saturday and went again on Monday early in the morning. The building was less magnificient than I had thought, modest I should say given the wealthiness of the Rockefeller family, probably because it was built by the first generation, namely John D. Rockefeller, who started the legendary family business. The third generation, four-time NY State Governer and Vice President of the United States, Nelson Rockefeller was a modern art lover, who commissioned drapery copies of several famous Picasso paintings including "Three Musicians". (By the way, the first time I had an idea of Nelson Rockefeller was in the movie "Frida", where Edward Norton depicted him destroying a controversial mural by Diego Rivera.) The family also had a keen interest in and therefore an awesome collection of (Cause they are rich!) Chinese potteries, which were carefully arranged by dynasty and featured in different rooms. The best show-off place was dedicated to a headless, elegant statue of a standing bodhisattva, presumably from the Silk Road in Tang Dynasty, when the West met the East and the Greek influence was passed on through Persia.
For those of you who *actually* followed my story, I apologize: I lied, to some extent, when I said my next stop was Nice. In fact I arrived at Nice at night after a very enjoyable, and amazingly fast TGV ride. But I took a day trip to Monaco the very next day. Les Casinos de Monte-Carlo Originally uploaded by yisu1979 In case you haven't know, the Principality of Monaco is a city state with a constitutional monarchy. There are two ways to get there from Nice: a €1,5(!), 40-minute bus or a €5, 15-minute train. I took the bus not because it was cheaper but because I thought the bus ride would have much better views en route given it went along the coast line. I was *so* right. The first thing you saw after arrival was the world famous black tie required casino. Did I remember to wear black tie to get in for the allegedly exquisite interior? Are you kidding me? Symbol of Monte-Carlo Originally uploaded by yisu1979 The whole state of Monaco is built on a mountai...
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