I write this update from sunny and gorgeously warm Amsterdam. Later today, I'll be meeting up with my friend and ex-flatmate, Philipp Kauffmann, who has just started up an eco-conscious company dealing in fine chocolate and coffee from Brazil and other locations. It's called Original Beans. Philipp used to work for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and spent a lot of time in Africa and South America helping to build business systems designed to support and sustain local trade. Last year, he struck out on his own and just closed on his first round of financing for his new company, which is also based here in Amsterdam. Perhaps we might do something together...more later!