[Leica] Leica Portugal

[V8PWR@aol.com]

Hello all . Thanks for answers on the strap eyelets.
During my vacation in Portugal , I thought it wouln't hurt to give a call at 
the Leica Company to ask if I could pay them a visit . Guess what ?
They accepted !
I was accompaigned by a portuguese friend and by my daughter Shirley , age 12 
. 
So we had an appointment on july the 25th , at 2 pm. 
We arrived at Vila Nova do Familicao by 11 am and headed for the local 
McDonalds resto' for lunch .
Then we looked for the company ; everyone here at Familicao knows it . It's 
almost in the town center , surrounded by homes . 
Facing the company is a small coffee shop . By lunch time it seems that all 
employees get accross the street for a coffee. No one seemed to be surprised 
at the seeing of my old Leicas .
We entered the company at 2 pm and I asked for Sonya . She is the nice 
secretary I called a few days before to ask if I could visit . So Sonya ( a 
very pretty women indeed ) called the Boss , Mr Ehmes .
After a small introduction on the history of leica Portugal , we had the 
chance to follow him in some places inside of the factory . I say "some 
places " because we couln't visit everything , and he also asked me to keep 
my cameras sleeping for the visit .
I am waiting for Mr Ehmes to allow me to relate what I saw and what I have 
been told in the company . It's just that I want to keep the confidence he 
showed to me by allowing me to visit . 
I will write a full debrief if he's ok .
But I already can tell you that it was a great moment . I understand why 
these things are not on the cheap price .
Best regards             
                                                                              
       Jo GOODTIMES