Was wondering what more I can write about Paris, because it's such a wonderful place. There is lot more to write ... this time it's about Cars ...

Well! Cars ... Immediately after a we came out from the airport saw a Benz with a 'Taxi' sign on top. Didn't get much amazed to see it because it's a classy taxi in Singapore and several other places. But after hit the road to go to the hotel there were Benz all over the place with the 'Taxi' sign on the top. Oh! Crap! ...

First it was Benz, then BMW, Peugeot, and the list goes on ... basically all the "high class" cars we see here in Sri Lanka are running huree! in Paris as taxies. What a brain refresher.

Then we started wondering what are the "high class" vehicles that "Paricians" use. Audi was kind of a common car as there were many but no taxies. Then there was Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, Bentley and many other really cool cars. Considering the fact that Paris is a damn expensive place I wonder how much these folks pay for these cool cars.

In case if you are wondering what about the majestic looking "Chrysler" ... Well! there were couple of those looking great indeed, but on the way back to the airport saw one with a "taxi" sign on top. Crap! There goes my dream car #*&!&@^&&*@#*&$$(!@

The world is asking for your help/ Can you hear it?

People are starving. Diseases ravage communities and no matter how hard they try, some people cannot get a basic education. The environment is in trouble and we have to help the world develop in a sustainable way. It seems like too much to take on. But we can't just throw up our hands and give up. Answers could be found in any one of a thousand ideas that happen every day. Solutions might be in the next few lines of code, a photo or even a simple game that catches on and teaches the world a lesson.

These are the first steps to doing something that really matters. Technology can be a force multiplier on the ideas and that's why the Imagine Cup happens every year.

We need everyone - software programmers, hardware developers, artists and dreamers - to imagine a better world - then make it happen. Over 150,000 students from over 100 countries will come together and compete to help find the answers. And no matter who comes up with the best solutions - everybody wins.

One World. Unlimited Possibilities.
For 2009 the Imagine Cup in challenging the world's most talented students to "Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems facing us today". For some this will be using technology to help a brother or sister get an education and for others it will be about entirely new approach for medicine or finding ways to counter the inequalities that exists between genders around the world. It may be ensuring the sustainability of our planet and might even be as focused as universal primary education. Yeah, it's that important.

In 2009, the Imagine Cup world finals will be held in Cairo, Egypt. Egypt is one of the most populous countries in Africa and the Middle East and the great majority of its people live near the banks of the Nile River.

Egypt is famous for its ancient civilization and some of the world's most famous monuments. Winners will find that this magical nation holds the key to history, ancient civilization and perhaps the future of technology.

And oh yes ... there's also the pyramids!

I'm back in Sri Lanka and back in office. Imagine Cup 2008 world finals event was held on 8th Tuesday.

Check the Live Space for more details http://imaginecupfinalsinparis.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!3881675633140DB4!650.entry

Software Design semi finalists were announced few minutes ago and following is the list of countries who made it.

Congratulations! to all of them and best of luck with the next round of presentations.

• Australia
• Slovakia
• Portugal
• Brazil
• China
• France
• Hungary
• Singapore
• South Africa
• Korea
• Croatia
• Russia

Yesterday afternoon team Sasrutha presented their solution to the first panel of judges and in few minutes time they are presenting to the second panel of judges. Final score will be determined by summarizing both scores. Fingers crossed ...

For the short film team ... they are on the run shooting / editing the film. I don't understand much of it :) ... but I had to do one scene in the film. Had to drink almost a gallon of water as a part of that. Phew! Will upload more details later.

Last evening Imagine Cup 2008 World Festival Event officially kick started in grand style. Well! @ Microsoft we always do everything in grand style.

Ride to the city hall where the opening ceremony was held was a very interesting one. WE were taken on a brief city tour on the way to the city hall from the hotel. Got to see many awesome places in the city. It looks like we are going to need months to visit all these places. Never mind ... there are few key places :) ... First the press, staff and other invitees were moved in to the hall and then the students were brought in, in a parade. After officially welcoming the students by the Deputy Mayor in Paris and few Microsoft folks including John Phillip, Joe Wilson etc, music continued till very late ... btw: Even @ 10 in the night it's not dark here.

Architecture in the city hall was unbelievable. Attention to detail in every single thing is truly spectacular. Checkout the photos ...

Both our teams ...

Magnificent Buildings throughout the city ...

Inside the City Hall ...

We arrived at Paris this morning and it really is a beautiful city. Trip was a whooping 10 hour long direct flight but it was ok. There were many fun topics to talk about the trip ... one being a team member (don't want to mention the name because he was serious about this) slipped a soft drink all over and pretty seriously he accused the pilot for going over a pit. (Guess he couldn't find what to call 'turbulence')

Loads of old styled buildings are everywhere and it is indeed a super busy city. Not sure whether these old looking building are really old or recreations based on the old architecture. Anyways looks pretty amazing. From the airport to the hotel it took almost 2 1/2 hours as there were many ... I mean many ... traffic light stops on the way. Folks! Aren't we easily get annoyed by the 5-6 traffic lights on the base line road.. In Paris I'm talking about that multiplied by 10 :) ... Yup! it was really annoying ... after every 50 meters there is a traffic light stop.

Since we arrive at the hotel early we took a walk down few streets and also we just walked around the Eiffel Tower. It's truly is fantastic. Don't ask why we didn't go to the top :) ... right now the top priority is the competition. After that I think we are going there in the city tour. If not we'll find time to go to the tower. How on earth we can go to Paris and come back without visiting the Eiffel Tower.

Will upload the photos later today ...