David Coveney» » lima http://www.davesgonemental.com Work, travel and irreverence Sun, 04 Jan 2009 12:04:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 en hourly 1 Gin Tonic in Lima Central http://www.davesgonemental.com/gin-tonic/ http://www.davesgonemental.com/gin-tonic/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2006 18:47:17 +0000 Dave http://www.davesgonemental.com/?p=24 It was Douglas Adams that suggested that wherever you are in the universe, asking for something that sounds like “Gin and Tonic” will usually give you the same drink. Of course I’ve only been able to test this theory on Earth, but so far it had proven unbreakable. So in a non touristy town in Taiwan a “shintoniic” sound gave me a drink made from gin… and tonic. But if it can be broken, the Peruvians can break it….

Last night our request for two “GeenToneecs”, as listed on the menu, provoked an explosion of confusion with the staff at “Ellens House”, a bar round the corner from our hotel. After a few minutes two large glasses, with about 250ml of vodka arrived.

We pointed out the problem… that a G&T usually has gin in it. And tonic. The glasses were taken away, four bar staff held a conference, and they returned with… two glasses of vodka with a dash of sparkling mineral water. I took a gulp and my taste buds immediately caught fire. Another return… this prompted more confusion and they came back to say they were just nipping to the shops for a bottle of “agua tonica”. Ok… they were getting the idea. And then we got what I still think was vodka, with a dash of sparkling mineral water… and a dash of tonic. We gave up. Angelique had also failed to drink her “Baylez”… a cheap and eye watering version of Baileys.

Peruvian service is often like this. They do their best, bless ‘em, but sometimes they’re caught out by their own menus. They then utilise a Just In Time system, as popularised in Japanese factories. This means having stock arrive just in time for manufacture - so saving on inventory costs and storage space. But for restaurants that just means that your entrée may well arrive after your main course because some of the ingredients involved sending a member of staff to the market with a shopping list in his hand. Still, the food at these restaurants is often surprisingly tasty - just don’t arrive hungry….

]]> http://www.davesgonemental.com/gin-tonic/feed/ -12.069999 -77.050003 Lima http://www.davesgonemental.com/lima/ http://www.davesgonemental.com/lima/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2006 01:52:30 +0000 Dave http://www.davesgonemental.com/?p=15 Right - this is a posting from Paracas. Not had much time to post, and even now I only have half an hour before I’m expected to rejoin the group. Not exactly pricey though - it’s 1 soles for half an hour, which adds up to the almighty cost of 16p. I’m coming to the conclusion that the Peruvians aren’t poor because they’re exploited or lazy or uneducated or anything - in fact they come across as intelligent, industrious and eager. No, the real reason they’re skint is because they’ve no concept of the value of money. Our laundry for four people has just come to a little of two pounds….

Of course, this cafe isn’t the most amazing - tiny desks, a cranky keyboard, marenge music blasting out and an ancient Dell Optiplex. Now I know where those old corporate PCs end up.

So - Lima. It’s a bit grimy, but hey, it’s a third world capital. The taxis are mostly these tinny Daewoo Ticos driven by wonderfully optimistic drivers who beep at anyone who looks like they might be tired and in need of a lift. It’s 10 Soles to most city destinations, 15 Soles if it’s across town or at night. 7 Soles if it’s in the same district, and 5 Soles anywhere reasonably close. Other prices don’t seem to exist.

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