El Presidente Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 A note to the forum from Punch Joe Jose...congratulations on the engagement Hermano! Ingrid must love the whole "Wolverine" look you have created ________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________ First off, I want to say a big hello to all FOH members: Pirate Rob, Lovely Lisa, Forever Mess Ken (miss you mate), Chewy Smithy, TampaChuck, Black Sleek Cadillac Doc, Jimmy el Cubano, Viva la France Guy, The Guibou Chinese connection, The Ginseng, Bostonian Colt 45, the other Rob, Joshua, Kat from Anacostia, Righteous Kevin, Japanese Yossie...sorry I can´t name you all. Been busy after my trip to Germany, Switzerland and Spain. Many days on the road in South Germany, crossing across the border in Tiengen in the middle of the Black Forest with hunting season already opened. Been in Franckfurt, Wurzburg, Munich, Nuremberg, Stuttgart and Waldshut -Tiengen. Thanks largely to Christoph Puszkhar and Thomas Hammer who were with me most of the time, and both are excellent friends. Lots of wine bottles down, many cigars tasted, visiting friends and retailers, meeting with old friends and talking over the phone with others in the North like vintage lover Christoph Wolters. I gently declined go hunting at 4:00 am. Next time. I liked South of Germany. After a week in Germany, I headed out to Switzerland. Had a great time at Menzi´s in Zurich (Samuel Menzi, pictured below, is Habano Man of the Year 2001) and spent hours talking with Habanos representative there, Jorge Paz and the head of Intertabak Urs Tanner and also the marketing director Francisco Vallejo. On the side, I experienced my first earthquake in Basel at 3:00 am while sleeping. Shake, Shake, Shake and back to sleep. Lunch with clients, quality time with retailers at the shop, going to the warehouses and inspecting cigars and packaging. Largely satisfied with the Habanos specialist concept developed in Germany and Switzerland and also the quality of the service. Boy was I impressed. Had the chance to check out some watches at the shops and try some cheese but next time I will be far more interested in visiting the Atelliers where the watches are born. What it seems to be the hell of a problem in SWI is the parallel market. It hurts the core of the business. On-line cigar stores are blooming…for the lack of a better term. Also they have 26 different cantons, 4 different languages, 26 different taxes regulations, and 26 major representatives at the government, different laws that applies in some cantons while not in others, but it works, like a Patek Phillipe!!!. Dialled up Rob’s number to say Hello Mate! But the automatic voice said: the number you are dialling is smoking and drinking a great deal, please call later. Seems Brisbane is the place to be, not Basel. Definitely. Back to Havana I had my desk covered with papers, outstanding invoices, many post it notes, over 140 messages waiting to be answered on my inbox, several phone calls unattended...so I took a deep breath and stick my ass into the chair and I left the office late at night having all the invoices signed and transferred to Accountings, replied all emails, putting off appointments to next week etc...Next day, the Human resources Lady found out that I had some pending days for holiday so I was forced to take some days off to please her. Spent some days at the beach now that the bike is ready to hit 130 km as in the past. But I learnt that I just go to the beach for smoking, not swimming. It looks like I’m getting older since I can not see myself immersed in the water for more than 10 minutes. After a week, i found myself in the middle of the energy saving campaign spread along the country. No ACs should be on until 1:00 pm. My office is a burning hell since the sun always shines on every wall or window. Go figure. Temperatures these days in Havana are killing me. Above 34 C with clear skies. I must wear a sun blocker during working hours. For those who are not aware, Gmail and MSN are no longer available in Cuba. When accesing, the message reads thus: You are accesing from a forbiden country. You are not allowed...blah, blah, blah.. At least, Yahoo is still running decent on Cuba so I can be in touch with everybody. The internet connection is very poor (the worst in years) I am not able to post this thread because of it, so I sending this out to Rob by email for him to hang it on the Forum. Sorry there’s no other way to do it. I tried my best yesterday and I failed miserably. I gave up. Been hours trying to upload the text, leave alone the pics. Hope y´all understand. A week ago I was at the Wine Fest held in Varadero Beach. The dinner was organized at Casa Dupont (check out the pic) and the wines were excellent but not well served. Also matching a strong, full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Digna from Chile with Roquefort Cheese as an aperitif is not my idea of fine enjoying but had a good time with friends. Back on the road home, I grabbed three porgy fish that were being sold at the beach and I prepared lunch for my family on Sunday. (Check it out) On Monday we have the first of the many black outs at the office, so I rode my bike to CDH Club Havana for a fine smoking, walk the beach and returned to the office at 2:00 o’clock to find out we were still without power. Funny, though. After this you can guess I have not been abducted or that I have been so remiss in getting back to the Forum or failed to post. Just dealing with obstacles most of the time. Big hug to all P.S. Both, Ingrid and me are wearing silver rings as we are engaged. The golden rings must be given at the wedding. Be there! 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Guest rob Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Awesome read Jose! Love the photos as well... like Ayala and crew - you seem to be living the good life (as much as you can there, anyway). Keep up the great work, mate!! And also, mucho congratulations to both you and Ingrid on your engagement. As usual, always looking forward to updates on what is going on in your life. Keep well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yossie Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 I didn't think You remembered me to pay attention to you, I'm going a CC the night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anacostiakat Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Was wondering why we havent heard from you lately. Great to hear from you! You are a busy man! Great pics!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkz Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Great reading José!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laficion Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Salut l'ami José, Thanks for a great summary of what's been going on "In the life of Jose" . All my congratulation to you and Ingrid for "les fiançailles" and wish you both only the best. The pics. are beautiful but above all, It's great to hear from you again, take care, Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt45 Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Great Jose, and congrats on you engagement Hopefully your connection will be better sooner rather than later. Take care! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sounddust Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Thanks for sharing and hearty congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy2 Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Great Read Jose !!! And again congrats on your engagement... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evo03 Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Great post, and congratulations on the engagement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smooth Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Massive congrats to you and your wife to be! Thanks for the read... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
android Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Thanks Jose for sharing this with us...congrats to you & Ingrid as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Padrino Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 En hora buena Jose !, when is the wedding ?? ( maybe Rob can answer that) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Japan Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Looking forward to smoke with you Jose'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habanablue Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Congrats Jose, Wishing you a lifetime of happiness with your fiancee and soon to be wife. Mate you are leaving Hugh Jackman well behind in the wolverine stakes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gargett Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 hi jose, great to have you back. and congrats again. i'll be in touch soon, things permitting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcigar Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Enjoyed reading about your latest...Congratulation on the engagement ! Best Wishes Bro ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoyopr Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Congrats on the engagement, and thanks for the glimps into your work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sepp Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Great post Jose. Congrats to you and Ingrid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadillacdoc Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Awesome post Jose, Congratulations! A mojito ......errrrrr..... or two in your honor. Hell make it three! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginseng Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Had the chance to check out some watches at the shops and try some cheese but next time I will be far more interested in visiting the Atelliers where the watches are born.For those who are not aware, Gmail and MSN are no longer available in Cuba...The internet connection is very poor (the worst in years) I am not able to post this thread because of it. P.S. Both, Ingrid and me are wearing silver rings as we are engaged. The golden rings must be given at the wedding. Be there! Jose, What a fine travelogue! Your trip sounded and looked like a splendid adventure indeed. Hunting at 4:00AM? I'm afraid I would take a pass as well. As for the atelier, the Science Channel (the How It's Made cable TV program) is showing the Blancpain watchworks at Le Brassus on June . If I had a digital TV recorder, I would record it and send you the DVD. Perhaps I'll be able to capture it when it comes online. Congratulations to you and Ingrid! Wilkey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaki Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Hola Jose! Good to hear from you again. Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maalouly Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Excellent thread, thank you for sharing always enjoy the photos and congrats on the engagement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
messa Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Congrats Jose! Always great to read your posts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjellfrick Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Congratulations, Jose. Stay well, mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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