Paris, the city of love and the story of Picasso's napkin

Bonjour les gens,

in the last post I told you that consequently I will write a French version of my blog. And by that, I didn't mean that I have mastered another language - of course not :-) - but I got the chance so spend some days and travel to the well-known French city of love and fashion, Paris!!

Megabus has recently expanded its supply to Spain and therefore offered trips from Barcelona to Paris with a special discount. So it was possible to go to Paris back and forth by only 30€ (!) (a friend of mine was even luckier, she paid 2€  - what an insance price). And the 14-hour trip was easily shortened by some good movies

Montmartre
Once arrived in Paris, I got my AirBnB in Montmartre in the norther part of Paris (thanks Céline for making the stay so comfortable and for all the recommendations for good restaurants!!).
Montmartre typifies all the things quintessentially Parisean, from terrace cafés to street artists and night clubs. It is also known for its famous red-light district and its queen, the Moulin Rouge.

In front of the Moulin Rouge

Basilica Sacré Coeur - the highest point of Paris

The last existing windmill in Paris

The Castle Versailles

Originally a hunting residence, Versailles used to be the main residence for the French kings until the French Revolution. Nowadays it is used as a huge museum and famous for its impressive Hall of Mirrors.

In front of the castle

How to become Parisian in one Hour

One of the highlights of the trip was an evening play in the Théatre des Nouveautés. Oliver Giraud really knows how to entertain his audience and he knows how to make fun of local Parisians as well as tourists all around the world. In his play he compares the behaviour of locals and tourists in different situations, like ordering in a restaurant or dancing in a club, and gives advice to foreigners how to act like a REAL Parisian.

After the play: I'm not completely persuaded that this face will get me free
drinks in Paris clubs :D

Picasso's napkin story
And finally, there is a urban story about Picasso, which is the metaphorical basis for Picasso's napkin. It goes something like this...

Picasso is at the café "Au Lapin Agile" in Paris, when someone points to his used napkin and asks:

-”Can you draw an ear on this napkin?” Picasso complies.

-”Can you draw an eye somewhere on this napkin?” Picasso complies again.

-”How about a mouth?” Picasso obliges, again.

-”Now sign the napkin for me”.

Picasso says: “Sure. That’ll be $25,000!”

-”$25,000??? But, it only took you two minutes to draw them!” complains the fella.

-”Yes, but it took me 40 years to learn how to draw like this and 25 years for my signature to be worth something,” replies Picasso sheepishly.

 The cabaret "Au Lapin Agile", nowadays no café anymore

You can decide yourself if you see this story as a proof that things or products are paid for a high price mainly because of the name or signature written on it, or that the perfection of a talent should be valued accordingly, even though the total time might be less.

Nevertheless, au revoir and see you next time
Markus