PAINTINGS

The Winter Rain

Let the winter rain kiss you. 

Let the winter rain beat upon your head

with silver liquid drops.

Let the winter rain sing you a lullaby.

~ Langston Hughes

Oriental Venice

Strolling the streets, you can feel the unique lingering charm of this landscape left by 

its long history. We walk through a maze of stone paths crisscrossed by bridges of 

different spans built of wood, marble and stone, wooden boats lying carelessly, men

with fishing poles slung across their shoulders, and the occasional cyclist weaving his 

way through children and pets playing in the dirt. The soft tones in the unfamiliar local dialect are in the background. It is a lot like Venice with its glistening canals — but in Chinese style, with red lanterns and oriental signs. Yes, we are in Oriental Venice.