Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Four great days in Paris, Now To London

It's been an interesting four days in Paris and now we head to London. Paris is absolutely an amazing city (the word amazing is used way too much, but it really is here). One of the coolest things was the Hotel I stayed in Mama Shelter. It is in the art district of Paris and is this really hip establishment. Each room is small but furnished with odd decorations like Superman and Dean Martin lamp shades. They have an Apple interactive screen in each room that plays music, dvd, and acts as a TV. I have been listening to Radio Nova which is the cool eclectic station that plays funky french rap and jazz along with rips from American music.

The weather here has been awful. Cold and damp and dreary, but it hasn't brought us down too much. It does become annoying.

McDonald's is the like the most interesting thing in Paris for the locals. I dropped in one yesterday to find a "real tasting coke" and it was the hippest McDonald's I have ever seen. They actually had a Ronald McDonald kicking it in the establishment hanging with kids. And yes, they really do call the quarter pounder with cheese the Royal with Cheese.

We walked everyhwere and it was an awesome experience being led around the City by Rick Grossman, an expat. He has lived in Paris for like 15 years and he knew the history and the cool hangouts and the best restaurants. One restaurant we went to was the Le Bergerie. It has maybe 50 chairs in the whole restaurant and it is only open for lunch and it is located in the 16th district, which is the affluent area of Paris. It was really good.

The cafe's were cool and there seems a cafe is on every corner where they not only serve cofee but wine as well. Small little cafe's that have a bar and tables. What is interesting is that you pay one price for a glass of wine or tea if you order from the bar and a more expensive price at a table. That is because you are "renting" a table.

We made some really cool contacts including two very influential doctors and a very cool actress named Heike who helped with our meetings. It looks like we are going to set up our European operation in Paris and serve Africa and Eastern Europe through our Paris office. France's health care is so good that everyone is covered fully, even if you are an "illegal alien" in the country. Its amazing. But the French feel a need to help their former colonies and there seems to be perfect fit for Limbs for Life and our strategy in Paris to help other countries.

The Louvre was simply breathtaking. And the Eiffel tower was alright. But that the whole 16th area was really cool. Yes, there was cool shopping, but didn't partake. It's a city of walking and busses, but if the weather is good, I definitely recommend walking. To see all the architecture and to see and hear all the culture was quite the experience. Really really cool.

We are heading to London today by the 300 mph train. More updates later.

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