Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:35:22 +0200 MMWWD http://www.top4-europe.com/Blog-en http://www.top4-europe.com/Blog-en/page-0 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:00:00 +0200

Last week we were finally able to meet our friends, to finish the remaining miles of the pilgrimage together. Nine of us arrived in bright sunshine in front of the cathedral in Santiago. Geovana and Paco Bazan of Mexico were there with her daughter Giovis for the first time, and they were so proud of their pilgrim certificate, and that they were allowed to enter the cathedral through the sacred portal, which is only open to pilgrims in a Holy Year. The portal will soon be walled up for the next eleven years. Yesterday, we had our trip to Cape Finisterre, the end of the then known world. It was so warm, peaceful and sunny, that one could hardly imagine that we were standing at the "Costa del Muerte", the biggest ship graveyard in the world, where als St. Jakob stranded ... Unfortunately, this morning all our ways separated - but only briefly; this business will bring us together again and again. Next to come is a convention in Madrid. Then we will go home. See you! Hasta luego!.. (read more)

http://www.top4-europe.com/Blog-en/page-1 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:00:00 +0200

The country has become more comfortable: Green hills instead of forested mountains, long sandy beaches rather than rocky coves, rocky paths instead of paved roads ... It was like a revelation when we arrived at the beach of Somo, and saw on the opposite side of the bay of Santander, the Cantabrian capital, glowing in the sunshine. But the crossing was an experience. In general, Santander: The city is surrounded by beautiful, lively beaches. Because nobody wanted to go with me to the Marine Museum, I had to do it alone, but then I walked back in the evening sunshine, along the beaches the whole way back to our hotel. Only the names were incredible: Playa de Los Peligros, Playa de La Magdalena, Playa del Camello, Playa de La Concha, Playa de El Sardinero, and they were all full of carefree, happy people. Our hotel was only a few steps away from the pompous Casino El Sardinero. We never visited because we have a profitable business and are not dependent on luck and gambling. Santander was the right place for two days to recover from all hardships and to get strength for the final. What was the best: Michaela and Basti arrived, to accompany us for the rest of the road. Of course, the first path led us to the cathedral. This is really unique. It has three floors. The lowest is the church from the Roman period. Then a Romanesque church was built and is now like it were the cellar for the dormant Gothic cathedral. We lit a few candles and then explored the city with its many shops. Tomorrow we go further in the direction Santillo del Mar. Then we will leave the coastal path to meet with Spanish and Mexican business partners, and travel the last 125 km to Santiago together . We are looking forward already. We will contact you again, as soon as we get WiFi... (read more)

http://www.top4-europe.com/Blog-en/page-2 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:00:00 +0200

Wednesday: Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque country and covers the very cramped core of both sides along the Rio Narvión. Everything is located along the promenades and the first thing we did was a duty visit in the Guggenheim Museum. But, Eva then fell in love with the magic of the old city center during the glorious weather - she especially enjoyed the shops. We will have to come home with more baggage than planned! Thursday: The path to the coast took us to the Nervión down to its estuary. It was like a walk through a huge industrial museum: Disused docks and factories, orphaned, and in cloudy and cold weather. But then the oldest suspension bridge in the world thrilled us. In the dizzy height of 50 m, we crossed the mouth of the river in the Bay of Biscay. Friday: We went westward along the Basque coast, and in spite of drizzle and fog were the breathtaking cliffs. In the afternoon it cleared up as we left the Basque country behind us and moved on to the coast of Cantabria. In the evening we enjoyed the 2000-year-old Castro Urdiales, where we explored the old fascination with early Gothic cathedral and fortress for three hours before we lay down to sleep. Saturday: In bright sunshine the Cantabrian coast turned out to be far more rugged and wild as the Basque. We wanted to observe the ruins of San Julián on powerful massif visiting Candina, what took us hours and through a so lonely, inhospitable region, the Sierra La Vida, that we breathed relief when we finally got our day's destination and saw the Bay of Laredo below us. Sunday: on a small ferry we crossed the bay and circled on foot the enormous rock of the Buciero (378 m), always along the steep coast, one of the wildest and most beautiful coastline parts in the north of Spain. Totally exhausted, we were able to descend from there to dunes and beach, which were followed by nearly 6 km, partly wading, to finally get to our destination at the Noja seaside resort. Monday: Today we went to Santander. Our togetherness was now over as we met up with Micha and Basti to continue walking the Camino del Norte... (read more)

http://www.top4-europe.com/Blog-en/page-3 Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:00:00 +0200

That's the name of the Pilgrim's walk to Santiago in Basque, where we now spent six unforgettable days. Apart from the ubiquitous slogans of independence, we found a peaceful, friendly with stalls crowed land of unique beauty: Lush fields and meadows, orchards, vineyards, herds, stately farmhouses, clean villages and well-preserved medieval towns. Despite all the hard work we are so thankful that our business gives us the freedom I can afford to do everything, and the time and financial independence is what we wish for all you. Discoveries? Encounters? - Loads of: in Markina we found an early medieval church, which is built around three megalithic boulders that now serve as an altar. In monastery Zenarruza a Cistercian Father in black and white habit was so enraptured and gave Eva a kiss on her way. And, of course we got to know many pilgrims from all over the world. Let's see what will happen to and with all those new friends ... The weather here changed every two days abruptly. The first two days, when we went along the coast, the sun we burning on our heads, what we were not aware of due to the fantastic views of cliffs with waves, until we weren't able to sleep at night because our heads were itching. Fortunately we have ALLANO! The days after we left the coast and passed through mountainous, wooded country. It was gray, windy, and rainy. Some 15km long distances without a village, an inn or a water point to pass. Everything had to be carried in our backpacks. Up to Guernica - known for Picasso's best painting "Guernica" - we were struggling through the pouring rain. Then the rain stopped. Today we arrived in Bilbao. In the morning, our landlady had said: "Muy duro" - very hard, and so it was. Bilbao is surrounded by almost 1,000 m high mountains, which want to be climbed - at 30 ° C in the shade! I do not know what the doorman at the Carlton thought when we asked for a suite sweaty and smelly!? Now we take a whole day to rest. Then it goes on... (read more)

http://www.top4-europe.com/Blog-en/page-4 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:00:00 +0200

Arrived at Eva's birthday in Madrid, we were promptly invited to an apparently long hand prepared birthday dinner. The whole Spanish group was present in Madrid. There were a lot of gifts and it was a pleasure to listen to the enthusiastic chatter in Spanish, Mandarin and Russian. Our Spanish organization has become quite international. There were many new there that we have been presented for the first time. The next day we flew to the Basque country and were now on our own. The rest of the day and the night we spent in Hondarribia, a perfectly preserved little medieval border town and stayed in "El Emperador", a hotel converted castle of Emperor Charles V, who was also king of Spain. I, particularly, liked it of course. On Wednesday, it was unfortunately over with the beautiful weather. But, nevertheless, we started in good spirits on the Coastal Path to San Sebastián: white-red labeled, the crest of the Jaizkibel massif, and along with supposedly fantastic views of the Biscay coast. We saw nothing of this because the weather was getting worse: rain, storm and fog. The view was not even 50 meters ahead. The old watch-towers on the ridge were barely recognizable. Soaked to the skin we have passed the peak of Alerru (547 m), the old fortifications and modern antennas were hardly visible in the misty rain. We had no other choice than to descend into the valley and take a taxi to San Sebastian. In the hotel, hot tub and sport massages made us feel alive again. During the night it stopped raining. Sunshine arose. Dutifully, we drove back to Pasaia and again started the climb to make up the 9 km we couldn't do the day before. Uphill, downhill, always along the coast, which cost us another five hours. But this time the view was fantastic. On the right handside, the cliffs fell steep into the foaming sea, the mountains were covered with blooming heather, yellow gorse and blue hydrangeas and glowing in the sunshine. This march along the Basque coast made up for all the suffering of yesterday. San Sebastian itself is a beautiful city: completely destroyed in the time of Napoleon, the fine sandy bay in shell shape surrounded by high slopes were rebuilt in Art Nouveau - a unique sight. Rio de Janeiro is nothing in comparison. We spoiled ourselves with a late lunch on the beach promenade, did a tour in the Tren Turistico, and fell into bed pretty exhausted. Tomorrow, we continue on the coastal path, and we will contact you again when we will have WiFi - probably not until in Bilbao... (read more)

http://www.top4-europe.com/Blog-en/page-5 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:00:00 +0200

Today I (Micha) am exceptionally writing the blog entry. Yesterday, the whole family came together to celebrate mom's birthday. Before the ceremony started a quick video message for Leonard and Esther Kim was recorded - the business is present all the time... The weather was awesome and we enjoyed the evening on the terrace with a barbecue. The children loved to help unwrapping the gifts ... At midnight, we lightened candles and mom unpacked the last gifts. Actually, my mom's birthday is today - but they have already left Germany this morning with the first plane to Madrid and Eva and Dr will begin their 4-week march on the pilgrimage route to Santiago tomorrow... (read more)

http://www.top4-europe.com/Blog-en/page-6 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:00:00 +0200

Eva and I want to make a long bike ride along the North Sea coast in fall. So, we bought a tandem and had a week of training - in the Danube valley, where it is about as flat as in the north. It is not easy to keep on a single bicycle and balance for two. All you have to coordinate with each other: pedaling, free-wheeling, braking, shifting, going on and off, all that only works coordinated. A good exercise for team work! We are looking forward to the tour, but until then it is to train, train, train. But, we already know this from our Amway business: No pain, no gain. On Sunday, the long-awaited day seminar took place at the Amway Experience Center in Puchheim. Actually, it was already starting on Saturday, when our group from Hamburg arrived in the afternoon and we spent the evening at our home. Renate Backhaus was also there. We made plans until late at night. The day seminar itself was entirely under the theme "Summer is the best time!". It can be built in the summer, and the results were proved in Your Future Now program, which we could honor. As reported, the YFN-qualifier haf not only the audience sit up quietly and applaud, but led to decisions to place namely in the coming months, the foundation for silver in September! Now we are in our house in the mountains, in Ruhpolding. We must also train a little hiking, for the beginning of August we will fly to Spain and go on the pilgrim route to Santiago with Spanish and Mexican diamonds, uphill and downhill. Whenever we will have internet in the middle of nowhere we will tell you about our experiences... (read more)

http://www.top4-europe.com/Blog-en/page-7 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:00:00 +0200

Middle of the week Eva went to the RDAC meeting in Moscow - of course there was also a seminar for our Russian business partners - and she left me as a grass widower. Unfortunately, she came home with no pictures because they only worked there. On Friday we finally met again and flew to London. It was namely to celebrate successes: On Saturday and Sunday we were able to honor a lot of new 12% - and 15%er at the Amway Experience Center London, and two new silver distributors - John & Maria had more than 14,000 PV, Racop & Wilai had more than 16,000 PV, and we had a new gold distributor, namely our son David. All in all, everything was very enthusiastic: this June the TOP4 England team had grown by 70% compared to June last year! Amazing how our international organization in England has developed. The Brinner family were able to welcome business partners from 15 countries. The "real" English were clearly in the minority, the largest shares represented Latin America, China and Thailand. Likewise was the international team of speakers: Sally & Juergen Brinner from England, Wilai & Racop Hongladaromp as well as Sak & Boonsiri Tanaprakob from Thailand and our oldest son Peter from Germany. Peter gave a really good speech on the benefits of eSpring; Racop then demonstrated the eSpring system in practice. London was beautiful: dry but not as hot. So we could close the days in the evening together at a sidewalk cafe. Peter also had his son Joshua with him On the last day we even went to the nearby British Museum. Who had more fun, my grandson or me? Hard to say. Back home, the hot summer welcomed us. Among white-blue Bavarian sky we made a long hike early in the morning while it still was a little cooler. We want to keep fit for the Camino de Santiago in August!.. (read more)

http://www.top4-europe.com/Blog-en/page-8 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:00:00 +0200

After a hard day as well as important meeting of the Western European Founders Council members with the company management we drove straight on to Ruhpolding. Our house there is an oasis of calm and relaxation - Unfortunately, we often have to "steal" some time in order to regenerate. This time we spent short three days which we used for long walks. Then we went to the Munich airport again... (read more)

http://www.top4-europe.com/Blog-en/page-9 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:00:00 +0200

For weeks I had been looking forward to the days in St. Petersburg. It was so long ago that I had been there. Most of the time I spent in Russia was in Moscow and Dscherschinsk and now it was finally over. White Nights in St. Petersburg together with so many friends from all over the world. So many friends from the Ukraine had come all the way to the seminar and then to run the marathon with Leonard. It was a successful seminar. Thank you David, and his team for this great seminar. On Sunday morning we all met in front of the Hermitage for the start. For all, but Oleg and Leonard, this was the first marathon. And when finally, after six hours the last ones came through the finish line, the joy was infinitely large and all were immediately doused with champagne. In the evening it was clear: who can bring himself to run a marathon can quite easily imagine to go Diamond. You have to overcome only once, and then do the same work again and again, and you just never gives up until you arrive your goals. Each of you can make it if you really want to. The Amway business offers so much. A life in freedom awaits you. On Monday, Leonard and Esther got to know St. Petersburg from the water, and on Tuesday we showed the two the city. For Leonard and Esther then was clear: There must be an EDC trip to St. Petersburg. I would like to invite all of you to build your business and visit the most beautiful places in the world with us. It's worth it and you can do it... (read more)