changes at La Bodeguita Cubana
following some disturbing revelations as to the honesty - or lack of it - of my business partner, I have bought him out and am now the sole owner of La Bodeguita Cubana.
During 2 weeks of legal battles Jose Yanez Torres stooped to every low trick in the book including lying, thieving, bullying, falsifying accounts, trying to destroy the business and many more.
His efforts were unsuccessful however, fortunately for me he's not very bright and never understood the legal aspects of being a partner in a business. His accounting skills, and those of his accountant, are similarly lacking in intelligence.
I have learned a thing or two about trust over the past year or so and before I handed over any money for my half of the restaurant 2 months ago I made absolutely sure I was protected legally and financially. That has helped me no end and ensured that I did not lose the money I invested.
Now I can start to build the business up again and hopefully make it a success :)
watch this space.
L Bodeguita Cubana
over the past few months I spent a fair amount of time at a Cuban restaurant in Cusco. It's the only place in Cusco where you can always find a warm welcome, excellent food and more importantly the best salsa music around. I liked it so much that I bought a half share in it :):):)
Soon we'll be extending it to include a dance floor - for salsa naturally and in November - finally - Barracuda should be open in the Plaza de Armas. The exact location is a closely guarded secret - watch this space!
Help a Heart
after I read the message below I sponsored Steve in his bike ride. he did the ride with Molly Walker printed on his shirt. Molly Walker who was my mum who died in 1964 at the age of 39 after a heart valve replacement operation. Photos on the photo blog.
Just wanted to inform you all of my taking part in the 'London to Brighton Bike Ride' on Sunday 18th. For those that may not know, this is an annual event which is organized by the British Heart Foundation to raise much-needed funds, and is the largest single bike ride in Europe with numbers limited to around 30,000 !
I first did the ride in 2004,in memory of my Mother who died in 2003 after more than 31 years as a heart patient (and surviving no less than EIGHT heart attacks!) She was one of the first in the UK to have 'open heart' surgery, and was confirmed (in 1999) as the longest surviving heart patient, of the initial group of five.
Less than a week after her death, I was diagnosed with having Fibromyalgia (a condition related to M.E.) which causes fluctuating (in severity) muscle/joint pain. I trained for several months and completed the ride in just 7 hours.
Last year was different however, as it turned out to be the hottest day of the year !!! (over 28 degrees C). In spite of dehydration problems at one-third distance (sorted by St. John Ambulance), I continued riding (and walking) through searing heat and along some melted roads (!) to finish in ten-and-a-half hours.
This year will possibly be the last time I do this ride, but I am determined to do it however long it takes :-)
It would be good to hear of any other 'Spicers' taking part this year - or from anyone who did this ride in years gone by.
Anyone who wishes to support the BHF, through my efforts, can use the following link :
www.bhf.org.uk/sponsor/stevehoughton
Vince's Wedding
On 8th July my son Vince got married to Lucy at Tewin Bury Farm in Hertfordshire. It was a beautiful venue, beautiful day and they both looked radiant. Photos are on the photo blog.
long lost relatives
when I was 10 my mum died and we lost touch with her side of the family. Tat was 42 years ago and I've often wondered what happened to them and wanted to get in touch. I registered on Genes Reunited a couple of years ago and last night got a message from my 2nd cousin Liz. We've spent most of today on msn and I now have a whole new family :)
Welcome to the Wilson/Walker side of the clan Liz
not such good news
A guy I’d known for a few months and who I’d just started seeing stole the camera my kids bought me for Christmas to go to Peru and buggered off to Lima with it. He also took my old mp3 player which I’d given to Carlos.
I was absolutely devastated because the camera was a gift from my kids and to me it meant that when I came here the first time and I always had the feeling I wouldn’t come back, that they accepted it. I feel like I’ve let them kids down, I was always so very careful with that camera, it rarely left the house and when it did it never left my side.
He took it while I was in the shower and actually came in a taxi with me when I went to Garabatos to meet the guys while he must have had it on him - he worked there, it was his night off and so he wasn’t allowed in.
I found out a few days later when I packing to go to Abancay for Antonio’s birthday. Antonio called a police intelligence friend and he took me to the tourist police and made them take it seriously (I'm told they don’t usually bother to do much). I had a photo to give them and it’s been circulated to all police stations and checkpoints in Peru. They are looking for him in Lima and he will never work in Cusco again, in fact he’d be stupid to even visit Cusco again because natural justice rules here and several people are now looking for him.
The good news is that it made me realise even more what great friends I have. Me and the boys had had a fight the night before (all sorted now) but it was all put aside and they were brilliant, both in practical ways and just holding me while I cried – and I cried buckets! After I made the statement to the police we went to Abancay, later than planned and I spent a few days there with Antonio, his girlfriend Martina and his family and that made me feel a whole lot better. His mum has adopted me as her little sister and his brother and his family treated me as family, their kids were calling me Tia Janice within half a day. It was so relaxing, the place is amazingly beautiful and there wasn’t a tourist in sight. We went for family picnics, spent Antonio’s birthday night drinking, dancing, singing and listening to Antonio’s brother Marco playing the guitar and his wife Empe taught me some local dances.
if any of you guys in Lima see him, photo is on the link below, please let me know. I know it won't get the camera back but he can't be allowed to get away with it.
Sebastian Espinosa
more birthdays
on 4th March Carlos was 23 years old, a mere strip of a lad :)
Birthday pics on the photo blog.
Adios Fie
Fie left Cusco yesterday with Eloy to spend a few weeks in Lima then she's off back to Denmark until July.
Popcorn manufacturers in Peru are rumoured to be seriously concerned for their profit margins and Cusco will be very quiet without her in every sense of the word.
Fie you will be missed.
XX
