Paris: Montmartre - June 2008

I’ve just got back from an evening meal with a French company that is seeking a close collaboration with our company. We were eight in total on a round table. After scrutinizing the menu in silence, luckily for me with English subtitles, the maître d'hôtel came to take our orders. He listened to each of us and took each of our choices in food and drink then disappeared from view. I had observed that we all had ordered different courses and I think different drinks. And not once did he note anything down. The drinks arrived and were distributed. A while later our dishes, each with a serving cover, were placed in front of us. The whole procedure up to then was carried out without a word from either the maître or the waiters. Although I suspect there were subtle nods and eye contact between them.

The maître politely called our attention and the table talk stopped. With a slight pause for dramatic effect the maître then gave a nod and the four waiters moved forward and grasped each two of the handles on top of the serving covers. Again a pause followed by a nod to which all four simultaneously lifted the serving covers up high and moved back a step. After a low collective appreciative applause we were wished a bon appétit and left to our meal. It was a good idea is to have the locals choose the restaurant. Not only was the food excellent, but also the serving performance.

Just realised I’ve turned 57 in the last 26 minutes. Without getting morbid about it, also realised that Dad didn’t make it past ‘my’ age...
Nearly 30 years ago now....
Need some sleep..

Just had lunch opposite Gare du Nord, we have time before the Thais returns to Cologne so I’ll catch up. This morning we went to Montmartre. As it was not far from the station, it gave me the opportunity to show W the panoramic view of the city and go into the Sacre Coeur.
The church is slightly weird, the main basilica looks like a mosque and the inside has gold painted Russian orthodox looking icons. You know the type, with long wavy hair and that typical moving stare they give you out of the picture when moving past. Walked around the tourist area, with locals trying to sell their pictures or cut your profile in black card in 10.4 seconds flat!. You have to mind your belongings up on the hill. When you want to buy a picture your wallet is gone! Where there are tourists there are pickpockets.

I don’t know Paris that well it has been ages since I was there with H for a holiday. You can’t get that much in, in a long weekend. We visited the museum in Montmartre to see where Satie (my favourite composer and part time semi nutcase/non-conformist) hanged out / lived. It’s a shame I can’t speak French. I would love to read his crazy writings in the original, quite surrealistic. This time I showed W the house (which is now a museum) but not much more.

If you want to see if a business suitcase with rollers will last, try walking around Montmartre for a couple of hours with its cobbles and steps. As side effect, your hand and arm are almost shaken off or at least go numb.


We found a gallery with Dali and Chagall pictures and sculptures – originals of course! Took an eye to Dali’s 'Dance in Time I' and 'Dance in Time II'. Only 16K€ a piece! The only problem was the paperwork and shipment.. Well ok, it was really the price. But they were nice, all bronze and marble and heavy. Yes! Of course that’s why I didn’t buy them, the weight!


W got interested in a number of Chagall’s - all original pictures, lithographs or what ever you call them. One was cheaper than the rest, only because there was no signature. We were assured that is was from him, pedigree, paperwork, catalogue entry and all that. Anyway time was flying and we had no intention of buying anyway, just looking...
Before we left, I found the space elephant. Dali used the elongated legged elephant more than once in his works and this one was really good. Bronze with blue patina base and 94 cm high, but as always the price put me off 35K€!
Oh well, in the next life.