OT : as you guys are talking football (American style), I just wanted to drop a few lines. I play soccer (4th league in Switzerland), for fun, with great friends. We had a game last Thursday evening against another team (F.C. Echichens). Do you know who did show up ? Michael Schumacher! He lives not far from where I live (about 15km) and he plays from time to time with this team. And we were fortunate enough to play against him!
He weared number 11 and played on the right wing. Echichens' shirts have Adidas as sponsor, but Michael weared Nike of course. He drove to the stadium in his own Ferrari, also I did not see it, as I it was dark on the parking place and I didn't think he would be there anyway, therefore didn't spotted it, but my mates told me. His doctor was there too, just in case he got injured.... We were all impressed and resiliant to takle him as we were afraid to wound his legs (they must be worth millions!). Anyway, he played the first half and half of the second. But fortunately, he was still there at the end of the game, so I managed to get him to sign on the back of jacket!
That was a memorable evening! And guess what, he just bought a property in the same town where I live, by the lake (huge property), and bought it for 15 million swiss francs (USD 10 million)!!.
This area of Switzerland is really attractive to these kind of people. For example, Phil Collins lives just 5kms away, so does Alain Prost, Peter Ustinov and Jackie Stewart (ex-great Grand Prix Scottish Grand Prix). In fact, what I understood is that he sold his house to Phil Collins as he needed cash a that time to set up his own Grand Prix team).
French tennis men such as Yannick Noah, Guy Forget, Henry Leconte and Arnauld Bötsch live also in Geneva or in the area.
IMO, they chose in Switzerland because in this country, they know that they aren't bothered. For example, in other countries, people like them can't go out shopping or go simply to the pharmacy without hundreds or thousands of fans waiting on them out of the shops, screaming, shouting and asking for authographs. Here, that just not happens. And I guess, they appreciate it (for instance, my wife met Phil Collins, once, in a pharmacy. She was impressed of course, but didn't bother him, didn't ask any authograph, etc.). People here are trust to shy and are afraid to bother other people.
Well, that's all. Just wanted to share what I experience this last week.
All the best to all of you and go MYNG!
Paul |
