The most disappointing celebrity :Tiger Woods is number 2

When it comes to being the 'most disappointing' public figure of 2009, it would be hard to beat John Edwards. So Tiger Woods came in second instead.　

The former North Carolina senator and the pro-golfer topped the list of public figures who most disappointed Americans, according to the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll out in full later today.
　
In the midst of a still-unfolding scandal involving multiple extramarital affairs, Tiger's favorability has dropped 61 points since WSJ/NBC last polled on the golfer in April 1997, shortly after he became the youngest player to win the Masters Tournament. Back then, 76% had a very or somewhat positive view of Tiger; now it's just 15%. His negative rating in 1997 was just 2%, compared with 42% today.
　　
But given a choice between Edwards, Woods, singer Chris Brown, Balloon Boy's parents (Richard and Mayumi Heene), David Letterman, Jon and Kate Gosselin, or New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez as the public figure who was most disappointing in 2009, Edwards took a solid one-third of the vote with 33% for cheating on his wife while she is being treated for incurable cancer.
　
Coming in second, 16% were most disappointed in Tiger for having extramarital affairs, while a close third of respondents, 15%, were most disappointed in Brown for abusing his girlfriend and fellow singer, Rihanna.
　　
Rounding out the biggest disappointments are: 11% for Balloon Boy's parents, 6% for the Gosselin family and their reality show antics, and 4% each for Letterman (extramarital affairs with colleagues) and A-Rod (steroid use).
　　　　
And while Washington Wire can't speak for the rest of 2009's disappointments, the latest poll suggests it's not all bad for Tiger Woods.
　　
One-third of respondents, 33%, said they'll be rooting for Tiger at his next golf tournament, while just 16% will be rooting against him. Nearly half, 48%, didn't care either way.

The shopping in a different way from the evolution

Differing roles in prehistoric times have evolved into differing shopping styles, the researchers believe.

While women spent their days gathering food often with children, men were hunters who made specific plans about how to catch and kill their prey.

The two approaches to how we used to obtain food mirrors how we shop in modern times, the study believes.
　　
He said women would spend hours trying to find the right outfit, present or object, because they had in the past spent ages trying to find the best quality and health giving foods.
　　
Men on the other hand, decided in advance what animal they wanted to kill and then went looking for it. Once it was found - and killed - they returned home.
　　　　
Professor Daniel Kruger of the University of Michigan said the study could be the answer to why there was so much conflict when couples shopped together.
　　
Foraging was a daily social activity in prehistoric times and often young children were included, much like they are today when women shop, Prof Kruger said.
　　
Women gained the skills of how to get the best quality food in cave man times because if they chose the wrong berry or nut it could kill, he said.
　
“When gathering, women must be very adept at choosing just the right colour, texture and smell to ensure food safety and quality”he said.

“They also must time harvests and know when a certain depleted patch will regenerate and yield good harvest again.”
　　
“In modern terms, women are much more likely than men to know when a specific type of item will go on sale. Women also spend much more time choosing the perfect fabric, colour and texture.” 　　

Prof Kruger decided to conduct the study after a winter holiday trip with friends across Europe.
　　
After exploring sleepy little villages and reaching Prague, the first thing the women wanted to do was shop, Prof Kruger said, and the men could not understand why.　

"But that is not so unreasonable if you're thinking about a gathering strategy," he said.
　　　　
"Anytime you come into a new area you want to scope out the landscape and find out where the food patches are."

Prof Kruger said on the other hand in prehistoric times men had to hunt for specific items which meant they had to be clinical in their approach like they are now with shopping.
　　
"Men often have a specific item in mind and want to get in, get it and get out," he said.

"It's critical to get meat home as quickly as possible. Taking young children isn't safe in a hunt and would likely hinder progress."
　
Prof Kruger said if men and women understood each other's shopping strategies they could avoid arguments in the shops.

Ways to get rich in America

A recent survey shows that Americans are getting more pessimistic about their chances of getting rich.　　

The survey, conducted for Bankrate.com by Princeton Survey Research Associates International, found that 70% of respondents say it is harder to get rich in America today than it used to be. Only 9% said it has gotten easier.
　　
In a similar poll taken in 1999, 38% said getting rich had gotten harder. More than a quarter said it had gotten easier.
　　
The global financial crisis and recession are most likely to blame for the change, since Americans have had their wealth decimated by the real-estate and stock-market crashes, along with high unemployment.
　
But what is most interesting is the manner by which most Americans think they will get wealthy. (About a third of Americans defined 'wealthy' as 'having just enough money not to worry,' while another 26% defined it as 'having enough money that you don't need to work.')

The largest number, 20%, said 'starting your own business' is the most likely way to get rich today. Choosing a high-paying job or career comes in second (19%). Coming a close third (15%) was 'getting lucky through an inheritance or winning the lottery.' That tied with 'live frugally and save money.'
　
In other words, Americans think you are just as likely to get rich by winning the lottery as you are by saving.
　
Perhaps they are just being realistic, given today's income and inflation landscape. Perhaps they are being foolish, since Americans by nature don't like to save. Either way, the survey suggests that Americans no longer expect to get rich the 'Millionaire Next Door' way.

What do you think is the most likely way for someone to get rich in America today?

'Dear John' took over the No. 1from 'Avatar'

The romance 'Dear John' took over the No. 1 at the weekend box office from 'Avatar,' which had been on top for seven straight weeks.　　

'Dear John' (Sony/Screen Gems) which stars Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried and is based on a book by Nicholas Sparks, took in $32.4 million at the box office, according to early estimates from Hollywood.com. The movie had been panned by critics; at a recent public screening in the New York area, the crowd booed at the end.

'Avatar' (Fox) brought in $23.6 million for No. 2; 'From Paris With Love,' (Lionsgate) an action film with John Travolta, grossed $8.1 million for third place.
　

Paul Dergarabedian, president of the box-office division of Hollywood.com, said via email that 'Avatar' was 'knocked off its perch by the power of female audiences at the box-office.' He added that 'Believe it or not, New Line's 'Lost in Space' took the top spot away from 'Titanic' back in 1998.' 'Titantic' had spent fifteen weeks at number one.

Lady Gaga famous revelation

Pay attention to that woman opening the Grammys.
　　

At Sunday's awards show, Lady Gaga is expected to play a duet on a single piano with Elton John. She is nominated for five awards, including record of the year, but that's less important than her broader impact on music culture in the space of a year, which has been seismic.
　　

Her debut album has generated four No. 1 songs. She topped the digital sales chart for 2009 with 15.3 million tracks sold. Her dance hits, including 'Poker Face' and 'Paparazzi,' recalibrated the sound of pop radio with a spacey Euro vibe that's crept into songs by rock and rap artists. She grabbed attention beyond the music world with outfits that make her look like a refugee from a sci-fi film. In concert, on video and at past awards shows she has sported full facial masks, worn planetary rings around her head, and framed her face in what looked like a bird's nest.
　　

She's very vaudevillian,' says an admiring Alice Cooper, the rocker whose history of stage theatrics includes simulated decapitations. But he says Gaga's antics only work because 'she can really sing.'
　　

Gaga may turn out to be yet another fleeting pop novelty, but many other industry veterans see her as the real deal, and her ambitions and skill at navigating the turbulent industry may make her a durable star. Born Stefani Germanotta, she graduated from Manhattan's Convent of the Sacred Heart school, then left a music program at New York University to chase a music career. She was signed and dropped from one label, Def Jam, before uniting with a core team of advisers. She then stormed the media in a year when Michael Jackson's death reminded us how few new music stars transcend narrow genres anymore.　

Underneath Gaga's haystack wigs is a case study of what it takes to succeed in the music business today. Gaga, 23 years old, has made shrewd use of new digital platforms, while still leveraging the clout of a major label, an institution deemed obsolete by many proponents of DIY culture. She is a product of a new kind of recording contract which goes beyond just selling records to encompass everything from touring, merchandise--even her make-up deal. Though she writes her own material, she is as focused on visual theatrics, fashion, and global appeal as she is on the music.
　　

This year, expect the cameras to hover around Gaga, who will be challenged to top the six different costumes she donned at the MTV Video Music Awards. Divining fashion trends from her outfits would be fruitless. Instead, here are three things Gaga can tell us about how the music industry works now.
　　

She's a digital phenomenon　

Lady Gaga's towering digital sales, almost all of them iTunes downloads, only tell part of the story. In fact, much of Gaga's audience got her music for free, and legally. They have listened to free streams -- by the hundreds of millions -- on YouTube and the other online services that Gaga currently leads, according to research firm BigChampagne. On MySpace, Gaga has had 321.5 million plays. By contrast, singer Susan Boyle tallied only 133,000 plays, despite scoring the No. 2 selling album of 2009. A difference (among many) between Gaga and the dowdy Scotswoman discovered on a British talent show: Ms. Boyle's material, including 'Amazing Grace,' was traditional -- and so were most of her buyers. Some 97% of her albums were sold on compact disc.
　　

She's got a 360-degree view　

The business needs more Gagas. The upheaval of the last decade has forced the major record companies to cut their work force by 60%, according to a recent report by the Recording Industry Association of America. Within the last week, dozens of Universal Music Group employees were laid off. (Gaga's own publicist took a buyout; his job won't be filled.) Labels have had to change their relationship with artists and lean on new partners, including the talent managers they often squabbled with in the past.
　　

Without the budget and staff to support their once overloaded artist stables, labels have slashed their rosters and doubled down on acts expected to drive hits. They're also going after the money artists generate outside the labels' traditional business of selling music. This has given rise to, in industry parlance, the 360 deal, in which a label invests more money up front (for marketing, for example) in exchange for a piece of merchandise sales, touring revenue and other earnings that artists had long kept for themselves.　　

The 360 model hasn't launched big stars yet -- with a few exceptions, including Gaga. From concerts, including four sold-out nights at Radio City Music Hall this month, a percentage of her take goes to her label, Universal's Interscope Records. The label also gets a cut of her revenue from Polaroid, Estee Lauder's MAC and other corporate partners. Does Gaga validate the 360 model for other artists? While she pockets relatively less money on tour, Interscope puts more muscle behind her than it would have in the old days. 'Would she be in the position to play in front of 20,000 people a night if the record company had not put up the marketing dollars?' says Gaga's manager Troy Carter.　　

She could be the next Madonna
　　

On the song 'Bad Romance,' Gaga chants 'I want your ugly, I want your disease.' She lovingly refers to her fans as 'monsters.' On stage, she bleeds from simulated stab wounds. Despite these dark theatrics, she's become a darling of mainstream radio by drawing from Madonna's playbook, with thumping dance beats, a shape-shifting image and a playful obsession with celebrity.　　

Gaga's allure is that of a misfit run amok in the system, a role that has helped her cut across disparate subcultures, including teens, finicky hipsters and gays, to whom she sends frequent shout-outs. While Gaga's bared skin and professed androgyny have raised the eyebrows of interviewers like Oprah Winfrey and Barbara Walters, she isn't shocking, per se.
　　

That's a tool that's no longer available to pop artists,' says Danny Goldberg, the longtime manager and former label head. Since rap music, he adds, 'those taboos have been removed and that, to me, makes her that much more impressive. She doesn't have that easy ticket to notoriety.
　　

She's also determined not to be niche. Last year, the Recording Academy's nominating committees received a record 17,000 Grammy submissions. Many of those hopefuls hailed from what could be called music's growing middle class -- made up of acts that carve out niche audiences within subgenres such as indie rock. Only a few artists have defied that trend as newly minted superstars. While some acts try to get there with experimental strategies, such as giving music away free, Gaga used an old technique: cementing her image in music videos such as 'Paparazzi,' in which she hobbles on crutches.

Homeless 'Brother Sharp' is the coolest Chinese people

The photograph shows a starkly handsome Chinese man walking with a model's measured gait, and wearing a rag-tag but well co-ordinated overcoat on top of a leather jacket. His eyes peer into the middle distance, in what one fan described as "a deep and penetrating way", and he strides confidently forward.But this is no catwalk model. This is a homeless man in the city of Ningbo. And now a band of web followers are calling him the coolest man in China.His good looks and bohemian dress sense have won him thousands of online fans after a resident of Ningbo posted a picture online. Web users in China have called him the "Beggar Prince", the "Handsome Vagabond", and, most often, "Brother Sharp".He is 5ft 8in, around 35 years old, and always has a cigarette between his fingers. He also appears to have a fondness for women's clothes, which has only served to fuel his status as a fashion icon. His good looks are reminiscent of popular Asian actors like Takeshi Kaneshiro or the Oscar- nominated Ken Watanabe.One particularly striking picture juxtaposes Brother Sharp's with a model showing the latest Dolce & Gabbana collection. "Look at him wrinkle his brow... nothing needs to be said... sexy...", ran one comment on the Tianyu site.Another wrote: "He doesn't really look like a beggar, more like a vagabond. The quality of this person's tops are all not bad, a down jacket, cotton jacket, even a leather jacket inside, and though they're a bit dirty, they're all in good condition, not the kind that beggars find from the trash."The suggestion that homelessness can be cool chimes with a fashion trend that many have considered tasteless: in January, the designer Vivienne Westwood presented a "homeless chic" show in which models were styled to look like rough sleepers, a move prefigured by Ben Stiller's satirical film Zoolander, which featured a similar show called Derelicte. Two years ago the supermodel Erin Wasson revealed the homeless were her fashion inspiration, saying: "When I... see the homeless, like, I'm like, 'Oh my God, they're pulling out, like, crazy looks and they, like, pull shit out of like garbage cans.'"But anyone with similar designs on Brother Sharp's sartorial tips is out of luck. His identity remains a secret, and social workers in Ningbo say they want to keep it that way. "Homeless people are vulnerable. It is incorrect to use them for entertainment purposes," said one worker at a homeless centre in Ningbo. Brother Sharp is said to appear mentally disturbed when approached on the street.In China, begging is technically illegal, as the Communist Party-run state provides all a citizen could need. In reality, the rapid development of the Chinese economy in the last 30 years has marginalised many.The rumours surrounding Brother Sharp's true identity persist. Some say he is a university graduate who lost his mind after his girlfriend left him. Others have blogged about how they sought him out and tried to help him find work or to go back to his family, but that he appeared frightened and cried out without speaking.The local government in Ningbo said it had a policy of looking after the homeless, and that it would extend the same treatment to Mr Sharp.

'Brother Sharp' hot on the Net

An undated photograph of a homeless man, nicknamed Brother Sharp for his good looks and sharp dress sense, wandering the streets of Ningbo, Zhejiang province, was recently posted on the Internet. He is one of the most talked about personalities in Chinese cyberspace today.

'Brother Sharp' returns home

A mentally unstable homeless man who turned into an Internet sensation overnight after his photographs were posted online has returned to his family.
Known as "Brother Sharp" because of his good looks and fashionable dress sense, the homeless man was still reeling from his unwanted fame and afraid of his "new environment", his younger brother , Cheng Guosheng, said.
Cheng Guorong, 34, from Poyang county of Jiangxi province, left home for work 11 years ago. His father and wife died in a car accident a year ago, and he has two sons, aged 10 and 11.
Cheng Guorong's brother and mother received him at home last weekend.
According to his relatives, Cheng Guorong headed for Zhejiang's Ningbo city in 2000 and lost contact with his family three years later.
Relatives said Cheng Guorong is a proud man and his mental illness may be linked with the pressures he faced in life.
Local residents and authorities showed their support for Cheng's homecoming by sending his family food and other supplies.
"We will help them apply for subsistence allowances," said Yu Sheng, the head of a local government.
Similarly, an entrepreneur of a local logistics company offered to help the family with 2,000 yuan.
But many others have also highlighted the pressures that Cheng Guorong faced from crazed netizens and admirers who hunted him down after his photos were discovered online.
"I don't think it's money that he needs," the Xinwenhua newspaper quoted Ge Jianxiong, a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top political advisory body, as saying.
Cheng Guorong lived unknown on the streets of Ningbo about half a month ago. He then suddenly became famous after an amateur photographer testing his camera lenses posted a set of photos taken of the homeless man online.

The frenzy peaked when netizens went onto the streets in search of "Brother Sharp". They wanted to update his latest photos.
It was a far cry from just a month ago, when no one even bothered to give Cheng a second look - let alone a piece of bread.
"The first time I saw him, he was wearing a colorful dress and holding a silk scarf. He was trying to find some cigarettes in a trash bin," said Zhang Wei, one of the first few people to notice Cheng two years ago.
"We met a few times and I realized he was probably suffering from some sort of mental illness," Zhang said.
Still, Cheng's unwanted fame also helped his family find him.
A friend of Cheng Guosheng said the "Brother Sharp" photos he received on his mobile phone news resembled his brother who went missing years ago.
His family soon found him with the help of these clues.
However, there are dozens of others like Cheng Guorong who remain homeless - and unknown - on Ningbo's streets, Zhang Wei said.
Zhang himself has taken numerous photos of the homeless in his city.
"I've even seen a homeless man fighting with a dog over a piece of meat in a trash bin," he said.
Cheng Guorong's story also sheds light on a pressing social concern, academics said.
"We should pay attention to these vulnerable members of society," said Hu Shoujun, a professor of social psychology at Fudan University.
"We should also not blindly blame the netizens, who thrust 'Brother Sharp' in the spotlight," said Sun Shijin, another professor of psychology at Fudan.
"Without the attention, Cheng's family may never have found him."
Luo Pingfei, CPPCC member and vice minister of civil affairs, said on Monday that according to the country's administrative measures for assisting vagrants and beggars in cities, the local civil affairs department should take the initiative to assist the underprivileged, like Cheng.
Luo also called for the government to increase financial support to improve social security services to the vulnerable groups.
As for Cheng Guorong, his photograph has become a trademark, which is under application for registration.
Zhao Xiaokai, who submitted the registration application on Friday, said that while he had yet to contact Cheng, he plans to auction the trademark online once he receives a approval and to donate the the money to Cheng.
He said he is trying to get authorization from Cheng's family.

Brother Sharp

Tom: Hello, brother

Bob: Hello. Don’t you know “brother” is very hot on the Internet?

Tom: Yes, I know. Don’t believe brother, brother is only a legend

Bob: No, not this one. It’ s about “brother sharp”.

Tom: What? Who is he?

Bob: He is a stroller in Ningbo, and he is almost as hot as famous star now.

Tom: Why?

Bob: First, he is very handsome, and second, his dress and hairdo are very fashionable.

Tom: How does a stroller’s dress and hairdo become fashionable?
Bob: He wears the clothes he can get and doesn’t wash and cut his hair for a long time, but this is the most important reason make he become famous.

Paris , France (16- 20Arrondissement )

16th Arrondissement

There's no denying that this is the most fashionable district of Paris. The Trocadero offers a remarkable view of the city, as well as the Naval Museum ( Musee de la Marine ). Avenue Foch is destined to impress, as is Parc des Princes (Paris-Saint-Germain Stadium) . West of the ring road, roams the Bois de Boulogne forest, which although best avoided after dark, is a real delight during the day.

18th Arrondissement

The Basilique du Sacre-Coeur (the Basilica of the Sacred Heart) is another must-see monument in the City of Light. Looking up at the basilica from the market below is sure to take your breath away (as will all the steps you have to climb to reach it!). A short walk from the Sacre-Coeur takes you to Place du Tertre , drenched in the atmosphere of "old Paris" which cannot fail to captivate, even if it is teeming with tourists. Rue des Abesses, with its trendy boutiques and bars, draws a hipper kind of crowd alongside the famous Pigalle area—Paris' former red light district, and home to a famous cabarets and bars.

19th Arrondissement

The Cite des Sciences et de l'Industrie (Science and Industry Museum) was designed as Paris' window into the world of science. The Buttes Chaumont —an area of natural parkland—is the ideal place for a relaxing walk or a pic-nic.

20th Arrondissement

The most well-known cemetery in Paris, the Cimetière du Père-Lachaise is the final resting place of many famous artists, and is one of the most visited sites in the city. Memories of Jim Morrison are obviously still very much alive as his tomb is permanently carpeted with flowers. While the young artsy crowds of the city tend to hang out further and further to the east of the city—mainly in the Bastille district which is rapidly surrendering to consumerism—this area has managed to hold on to its working-class origins, hence its charm.

Paris , France (11-15 Arrondissement )

11th Arrondissement

Formerly the haunt of furniture craftsmen, the Bastille district now plays host to an entirely different scene: that of Paris' young and trendy in-crowd. Rue du Faubourg-St-Antoine has seen many restaurants and nightspots spring up and flourish. Neighboring Rue de Lappe is probably the place to be seen on an evening, while others prefer the buzz of Rue Oberkampf a little further north.

12th Arrondissement

Paris' pleasure beach can be found here, between the Seine and the Place de la Bastille , where the imposing Opera Bastille stands. The Palais Omnisport de Paris-Bercy serves as the venue for a variety of sporting and musical events, which often sell out very quickly, so be warned! Located to the far west of the city, but still within its limits, the Bois de Vincennes is a wonderful place to wander, especially around the lake.

13th Arrondissement

The easterly part of this district is known as "Chinatown," inhabited by numerous Chinese and Asian restaurants, shops and supermarkets. The Bibliothèque nationale de France (National Library) has also taken up residence in this area, overlooking the Quai de la Gare on the Seine. To the west of the district, meander through the small village of Butte-aux-Cailles—an extraordinary find in the capital city.

14th Arrondissement

Rue d'Alesia stands out for its array of clothing shops, while parc Montsouris is arguably one of the most charming green spots in the city. The Cite Internationale, where international students reside, stands just opposite and is well worth a visit as it features architectural styles from all over the world. Finally, you can take a look at the Bronze Lion of Belfort or at Rodin's Balzac in Place Denfert-Rochereau.

15th Arrondissement

Set along the banks of the Seine, the delightful parc Andre-Citroën in this district was, of course, named in honor of the famous car manufacturer, while a little further north, overlooking the river, you'll find Paris' skyline of skyscrapers peering down at a replica (or did this one come first?) of the Statue of Liberty.

Paris , France (5- 10Arrondissement )

5th Arrondissement

This and the adjoining 6th arrondissement comprise the Quartier latin (Latin Quarter), a bastion of student life and higher education in Paris. Within a 100-meter (328-foot) radius around the Pantheon you'll find some of the most prestigious schools and universities in all of France. The Jardin des Plantes , Paris' botanical gardens and zoo, is at once a calm and exotic place, and the Arènes de Lutèce (remains of a Roman amphitheatre) remind us just how rich the history of Paris really is. You'll find the Musee National du Moyen-Âge in Cluny Square. As picturesque as you could possibly imagine, the quaysides double as an enthralling treasure trove of second-hand bookstalls. Come nightfall, the young crowds flock to Place de la Contrescarpe and Rue Mouffetard.

6th Arrondissement

Rue de Seine, de Buci, Mazarine and Dauphine, along with the whole area between Boulevard St-Germain and the river Seine itself, are wholeheartedly characteristic of the allure of Paris. Discover the little cafes and boutiques of the chic-intellectual district of Saint Germain des Pres , and the bars and nightspots when the sun goes down. If on the other hand you want to escape, take some peaceful time out in Jardin du Luxembourg .

7th Arrondissement

More commonly known as the quartier des ministres (ministers' quarter), the 7th district also boasts some of Paris' most beautiful monuments—the Invalides , the Eiffel Tower , the Champ de Mars—literally meaning "Field of Mars," which was originally a parade ground for cadets in the Ecole Militaire (Military Academy). Between Quai Voltaire and Rue de l'Universite, dozens upon dozens of antique dealers entice you into their shops on the Carre Rive Gauche, and if you are in an artistic frame of mind, the spectacular Musee d'Orsay is well worth a browse.

8th Arrondissement

Naturally, any visit to the 8th arrondissement has to start on the most beautiful avenue in the world—the fabulous Champs-Elysees —which extends from Place de l'Etoile down to the finishing post on Place de la Concorde . Also worth seeing is La Madeleine —a neoclassical church—and the parc Monceau —a jogger's paradise. Music lovers will find heaven in a shopping trip along Rue de Rome. Other places of interest include the Grand Palais and the Palais de la Decouverte (the Palace of Discovery), which makes the fascinating world of science accessible to all.

9th Arrondissement

Its impressive elegance makes the Opera (opera house) undeniably one of Paris' most exquisite monuments. You can take in the waxworks at Musee Grevin , and stroll through Nouvelles Athènes (New Athens) near the St-Georges metro, but this area is also characterized by large department stores, including Printemps and Galeries Lafayette .

10th Arrondissement

Running the entire length of the Canal Saint-Martin , the Quais de Valmy and de Jemappes extend either side of the water to provide one of the most delightful walks in Paris; from Rue du Temple to Place de Stalingrad you will pass many a lock and maybe the odd barge or two.

Paris , France (1-4 Arrondissement )

Once just a village that settled on the "Ile de la Cite" (City Island) on the confluence of the Seine's two branches, Paris has vastly expanded over the centuries, taking the surrounding villages under its wing and making them its own. Nowadays the City of Light—a name Paris earned during the age of the Enlightenment—is made up of several arrondissements or districts, numbered from 1 to 20 and logically ordered with the 1st in the center and the others following in a clockwise spiral. The differences are vast and varied between the districts, both in terms of the populations and attractions, which together make up the multifaceted city we know and love.

1st Arrondissement With its impressive collection of paintings and sculptures, the Louvre attracts visitors from the world over, who often combine it with a stroll in the adjoining Tuileries gardens. Designers of haute couture, including Yves St-Laurent and Dior, have set up shop in Faubourg Saint-Honore , just a short walk from the majestic Place Vendôme , home to some of the finest jewelers in Paris. If luxury seems to be the prevailing feature in the 1st arrondissement, it has also lovingly accepted the Forum des Halles , the city's largest shopping center.

2nd Arrondissement With its little back streets harboring galleries, cafes and boutiques, this district sets a typically Parisian scene. West of Rue Richelieu stands the theater district where a dozen or so playhouses throng. The Palais Brongniart reminds by-passers of what used to be the location of Paris' vibrant Stock market, while certain clothing factories in the Sentier district are now home to Internet companies.

3rd Arrondissement The Marais district prides itself on being one of the oldest and best preserved in Paris. In keeping with this yearning for yesteryear, a museum charting the history of the capital ( Musee Carnavalet ) can also be found here. Scattered with trendy bars, cafes and stylish boutiques, the Marais has also become the Mecca of gay nightlife in Paris.

4th Arrondissement Undoubtedly one of the most picturesque districts. Wander across the bridge opposite the Hôtel de Ville (town hall) and you will drift onto the capital's two islands—Île de la Cite and Île Saint-Louis—where a visit to the stunning Notre-Dame Cathedral is an absolute must. Back on the right bank, Place des Vosges , a beautiful old square lined with ancient buildings, is a wonderful witness to times gone by, while the Beaubourg center of contemporary art confirms its resolutely futuristic outlook.