You maybe wondering what happened with our life in Portugal after our business venture of 3 years was terminated ...
Life was calm & quiet for a month until hubby got another proposal for work.( He was´nt keen on embarking on board ships again )This was a different venture, proposal to managed an import/export business of an acquiantance here in lisbon.To our mind,the offer looks promising, a new venture in Africa!!!
The job offer is for us to be relocated in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, and start work as soon as possible. Salary offer was not as good as hubby usually receive when he embarks on board a ship but a fully furnished house w/ electricity & water bill is also provided.This time, money did´nt matter so much. To our mind,new country, new venture,we´ll give it a try!
Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa and one of the smallest nation in continental Africa.Formerly the Portuguese colony of Portuguese Guinea and upon independence in 1973 the name of the capital Bissau was added to its name to prevent confusion between itself & the Republic of Guinea.
Hubby went to Guinea-Bissau in June 1994, I have to stay behind again to organize things at home as there will be no one to take care of it this time,water, electricity,telephone & gas bills,i have to request our cleaning lady to do it for us.
After a month I followed hubby in Bissau, he was still living in a nice small hotel in the city.A week later, we already found a place to live, a duplex bungalow in the middle of the "tabangca´s"(native house of the locals) as there were no house available where most "white" population lives. I say white because its how the locals call us ,even little kids would greet us & call us "branco" (white). I find it strange & at the same time funny how this segration of people colors started.
My first encounter of the "estivadores"...young locals working for the company that load & unload the sacks of rice from the ship to the trucks & from the truck loads to the warehouse, from the warehouse again to deliver truckloads.
They were at the service truck on their way to the warehouse to pick up hubby, for me not to be left alone in the hotel i went with hubby..The locals when they saw me jokingly made their remarks that I understood...They said,O "velho" (old man)has a young wife!!Hubby just answered them "Im only 4 yrs older than my wife, if she looks younger than her age its not her fault, so behave & show respect,ok?" That kept them quiet.. They were like little kids being reprimanded by their dad.
The warehouse is situated in the middle of the many ricefield in the area. It was rainy season at the time, we were bouncing up & down on our seats while passing a rough rugged road full of big holes along the way, pleasant perfume of the ricefield fill our nostrils, i saw one woman with a wide handy net fishing in the ricefield.A beautiful early morning sight for me!I always like the perfume of the ricefield early in the morning, made me wish i was in my hometown where we also plant rice in our farm.
I spent the day in the warehouse helping hubby with paper works. On our way back to the hotel after dropping the workers in one place near the "Banding"market. We got into a road where we did´nt know there was an electoral campaign from one favorite candidate opposing the current President.The big wide asphalted road was occupied by people who suports their favorite candidate,singing,dancing while moving towards our transport.Hubby was driving a Mitsubishi Canter..suddenly the people were all around us, some were at the window side,others jump into the back of the car, although they were not doing anything violent except to manifest their joy, seing hundreds or more people sourounding the truck made us both nervous until somebody called their attention and left us to go on our way..
That was my first experience in Africa, on my first day.....
Friday 31 August 2007
Monday 27 August 2007
The end of our shattered dream
My holiday in Manila was well spent..Hubby again joined me there for 2 more weeks due to some delays with documents for the ship.Would´nt come into more details about Manila holiday so I can continue with last part of my life during our business venture in Portugal.
Before we left Portugal for the holiday,we gave all the keys to "P", hubby´s son. He was a young man in his 20´s & full of ideas about business. It was myself who encouraged hubby to give him a chance to prove himself about his capabilities.We gave him the keys for the apartment ( for him to be near the shop),car,& the shop keys, and the 4 or 5 employees to help him.
Before going back to Lisbon in middle of October, P was informed about my arrival & flight details. When I arrived he did´nt show up in the airport. I did´nt wait so much thingking that maybe he was still occupied in the restaurant at that time,so I took a taxi home.
I arrived home without the key of our apartment, I got in the building by ringing our cleaning lady´s house for her to open the entrance door,I went up to our apartment & waited in the lobby for "P´s" arrival which I thought he will be home soon but he did´nt come. I was already so upset,sleepy & tired from my long joutney.I decided to go to the restaurant, leaving my lugage to the care of our cleaning lady.
"P" was there, I saw it in his eyes he was not happy to see me. He said, he did´nt know I was coming that day ( he knows, because his father informed him).He was with his grandparents,they accompanied him to the garage to fix a problem in the car.I stayed in the restaurant till closing time.I had the impression,we already lost our clients, the restaurant looks gloomy & dead business wise. We went home, I went immediately to bed, exhausted I fell asleep immediately.
Next day I notice something different in our bedroom but as there were so many things to do, i did´nt pay much attention to details.We went to work. Asked him about the situation in the restaurant & the gift shop.I first went to the gift shop,did a bit of tidying, changed show window display,sold a few things but as I needed a change,I noticed our cash box was´nt there so I asked P where was it? He said it has always been in the same place..It was gone, it disappeared, he did´nt know why.
Did´nt received any income from the restaurant,there was´nt anything to give & lost some more money that was in the gift shop. I did´nt asked anything about restaurant income thingking that maybe he used all of it paying bills & salaries..It has always been that way, I put the income aside to pay bills & salaries & keep the extra to the bank.
I was wrong,putting him in charge was a big mistake,a disaster!!!! It was a big headache for me when I found out later, I have to pay 2 months late salaries of one guy that he employed, the restaurant lost our regular clients, dont know why he needed another employee? P´s salary of 2 months ( yes, we´re paying him salary ),kids allotment was also due,2 months each delayed rental payment of all 3 shops, exuberant bills from the meat shop, money he borrowed from the grandparents for the restaurant,electric & water bills,broken handle of our fridge, window shutter out of order, I have to put the car for service,and for me the worst of them all,my privacy was violated, he slept in our "BEDROOM" all those days that we were gone!! I got so angry when I found out he has been using our room! The apartment has 3 bedrooms & he has his owm bedroom that he uses everytime he comes to stay with us & he decided to use our bedroom!I really got so angry & told him how I feel for violating our trust.I told him that my privacy is very important for me, he should´nt have done what he did invading our bedroom until he was invited to do so. He did´nt understand why.
That was the beginning of my worst headache,hubby´s trip back to lisbon keep on getting postponed due to some extra work to be done along the way.I was worried, i dont know how i will pay our debts... I started paying the smaller debts by bringing back again our regular clients which came slowly until they were sure that i was in charge again of the kitchen. Modesty aside, they prefer my portuguese cooking rather than my genuine portuguese cooks!More endurance on my part.
I was able to sell the rights of the gift shop, one less headache because with the money I received paid our biggest debts, the delayed rental payments for 3 shops.I spent my birthday in late November all alone,Christmas & New Year as well..My in laws did´nt come to see me or invite me during those occasions as they usually do or vice versa when hubby is here. Mom in law thoughtI was a monster, I´ve mistreated badly her beloved grandson by putting him to work in the restaurant.The poor little kid she said was working like a slave for us.Why did we do that to him? Maybe she thought P was working for free!She did´nt know her grandson wants to prove himself too, its for him to grow & learn.I dont doubt that P really did his best,he even did the cooking himself & he also almost burned down the restaurantt!! P mismanaged the restaurant,he did´nt have the experience, It was wrong of us to put him in charge,he lacks experience & maturity to manage on his own.That´s all!
When hubby arrived in Fev. after 4 months of absence,the restaurant business running smoothly again but I told hubby honestly that I can no longer withstand my life working in the restaurant,the hardship, the frustration, the difficulties.It´s not my life, cant go on working that way..Its not worth it, we gave it a try but it did´nt make us happy, it was a shattered dream.
Only then I told hubby what had happened during his absence, the financial dificulties i had to endure & cover our debts,my verbal encounter with his mom & all the other many situation i have to solve on my own re.employees,clients & others.Hubby could´nt believe when he learned all that had happened with me, he could´nt find words to say.He just embraced me...Being the explosive & temperamental person as he is, he did´nt say a word to people concerned.All that I know he became very protective to me especially if he hears somebody critisizing or say something about me, he would´nt ignore it, they will have to hear & listen to what he has to say!!
Final decission, we posted an advertisement selling the restaurant. Within 2 months time, exactly 3 years in April 1994 we signed the transfer of sale to a new owner.
" WE WERE FREE "!!!! from all the hustle´s, trauma´s we experienced with this business venture!!!
Before we left Portugal for the holiday,we gave all the keys to "P", hubby´s son. He was a young man in his 20´s & full of ideas about business. It was myself who encouraged hubby to give him a chance to prove himself about his capabilities.We gave him the keys for the apartment ( for him to be near the shop),car,& the shop keys, and the 4 or 5 employees to help him.
Before going back to Lisbon in middle of October, P was informed about my arrival & flight details. When I arrived he did´nt show up in the airport. I did´nt wait so much thingking that maybe he was still occupied in the restaurant at that time,so I took a taxi home.
I arrived home without the key of our apartment, I got in the building by ringing our cleaning lady´s house for her to open the entrance door,I went up to our apartment & waited in the lobby for "P´s" arrival which I thought he will be home soon but he did´nt come. I was already so upset,sleepy & tired from my long joutney.I decided to go to the restaurant, leaving my lugage to the care of our cleaning lady.
"P" was there, I saw it in his eyes he was not happy to see me. He said, he did´nt know I was coming that day ( he knows, because his father informed him).He was with his grandparents,they accompanied him to the garage to fix a problem in the car.I stayed in the restaurant till closing time.I had the impression,we already lost our clients, the restaurant looks gloomy & dead business wise. We went home, I went immediately to bed, exhausted I fell asleep immediately.
Next day I notice something different in our bedroom but as there were so many things to do, i did´nt pay much attention to details.We went to work. Asked him about the situation in the restaurant & the gift shop.I first went to the gift shop,did a bit of tidying, changed show window display,sold a few things but as I needed a change,I noticed our cash box was´nt there so I asked P where was it? He said it has always been in the same place..It was gone, it disappeared, he did´nt know why.
Did´nt received any income from the restaurant,there was´nt anything to give & lost some more money that was in the gift shop. I did´nt asked anything about restaurant income thingking that maybe he used all of it paying bills & salaries..It has always been that way, I put the income aside to pay bills & salaries & keep the extra to the bank.
I was wrong,putting him in charge was a big mistake,a disaster!!!! It was a big headache for me when I found out later, I have to pay 2 months late salaries of one guy that he employed, the restaurant lost our regular clients, dont know why he needed another employee? P´s salary of 2 months ( yes, we´re paying him salary ),kids allotment was also due,2 months each delayed rental payment of all 3 shops, exuberant bills from the meat shop, money he borrowed from the grandparents for the restaurant,electric & water bills,broken handle of our fridge, window shutter out of order, I have to put the car for service,and for me the worst of them all,my privacy was violated, he slept in our "BEDROOM" all those days that we were gone!! I got so angry when I found out he has been using our room! The apartment has 3 bedrooms & he has his owm bedroom that he uses everytime he comes to stay with us & he decided to use our bedroom!I really got so angry & told him how I feel for violating our trust.I told him that my privacy is very important for me, he should´nt have done what he did invading our bedroom until he was invited to do so. He did´nt understand why.
That was the beginning of my worst headache,hubby´s trip back to lisbon keep on getting postponed due to some extra work to be done along the way.I was worried, i dont know how i will pay our debts... I started paying the smaller debts by bringing back again our regular clients which came slowly until they were sure that i was in charge again of the kitchen. Modesty aside, they prefer my portuguese cooking rather than my genuine portuguese cooks!More endurance on my part.
I was able to sell the rights of the gift shop, one less headache because with the money I received paid our biggest debts, the delayed rental payments for 3 shops.I spent my birthday in late November all alone,Christmas & New Year as well..My in laws did´nt come to see me or invite me during those occasions as they usually do or vice versa when hubby is here. Mom in law thoughtI was a monster, I´ve mistreated badly her beloved grandson by putting him to work in the restaurant.The poor little kid she said was working like a slave for us.Why did we do that to him? Maybe she thought P was working for free!She did´nt know her grandson wants to prove himself too, its for him to grow & learn.I dont doubt that P really did his best,he even did the cooking himself & he also almost burned down the restaurantt!! P mismanaged the restaurant,he did´nt have the experience, It was wrong of us to put him in charge,he lacks experience & maturity to manage on his own.That´s all!
When hubby arrived in Fev. after 4 months of absence,the restaurant business running smoothly again but I told hubby honestly that I can no longer withstand my life working in the restaurant,the hardship, the frustration, the difficulties.It´s not my life, cant go on working that way..Its not worth it, we gave it a try but it did´nt make us happy, it was a shattered dream.
Only then I told hubby what had happened during his absence, the financial dificulties i had to endure & cover our debts,my verbal encounter with his mom & all the other many situation i have to solve on my own re.employees,clients & others.Hubby could´nt believe when he learned all that had happened with me, he could´nt find words to say.He just embraced me...Being the explosive & temperamental person as he is, he did´nt say a word to people concerned.All that I know he became very protective to me especially if he hears somebody critisizing or say something about me, he would´nt ignore it, they will have to hear & listen to what he has to say!!
Final decission, we posted an advertisement selling the restaurant. Within 2 months time, exactly 3 years in April 1994 we signed the transfer of sale to a new owner.
" WE WERE FREE "!!!! from all the hustle´s, trauma´s we experienced with this business venture!!!
Sunday 26 August 2007
Side Story, Side trip
My holiday in Singapore was well spent.The shipbuilder owners are very hospitable, inviting us often for lunch, dinner & sightseing.Shopping was very good in those days, the country is very clean & people are very disciplined.Chewing gums & throwing cigarete butts on the streets or anyplace is prohibited, fine is 500 singaporean dolars above.
Below are some pictures from Singapore
One evening, hubby & I decided to go to Chinatown..We took a taxi from the hotel & told the driver to take us to chinatown.The driver, started speaking with me in chinese, so i stoped him & told him to speak in english cause i´m not chinese. Then he explained that he will take us only at the entrance of chinatown as he does not want to go beyond, its too dangerous! " Why would you like to go at chinatown"? he asked. " I answered, its my husband wish to go there so he better take us . Whenever we travel, hubby make it a point to go & see where the local people lives. observe their way of living, their culture. taste the local traditional food, mingle & talk to them.
Inside chinatown, there was a celebration going on something religious.We asked permission from some organizers if we can film it & they said yes. After we finish filming, we were hungry so we moved on to another area where they have mini food stall but we did´nt sit in anyone of them because so many of the vendors are very agressive & would´nt leave us alone & quietly choose what we feel to eat & where we feel to sit..Finally, we found one small restaurant outside the building with a small show window where peking duck & other poultry meats are hanging. That caught hub´s eyes, he said "We´ll eat here"!! My eyes open wide with surprise!
The reason was...inside, was a group seated with their feet on top of the table,the used dirty plates are still on top of the few stone tables they have.As we entered the group scrambled to their feet, cleared the table rapidly,put the plates,spoons & forks in one bucket of water with detergent ( i hoped),wiped the stone table with wet dark cloth ( dont know if it was the real color or the cloth was dirty),and i saw one lady quickly wash some of the plates & glasses in the bucket, wiped dry & set one table for us. I was horrified & open my eyes to hubby to let him know my reaction! Hahaha!! He ignored my appeal!( he´s very hungry) And proceeded with our order, plates of mixed poultry meats & a seafood chinese rice, chow mein & drinks.
Would you believe it if I tell you that all my "delicadeza" was put aside as we started eating? It was the best meal I ate in Singapore!!!! We left the restaurant well fed & satisfied customer. On our way to the hotel,we laughed at our experience !!! A night to remember, i must say!
After 10 days, its time for me to go Manila & leave hubby behind to wait for the ship to finish,for the arrival of his crew then proceed with his journey to lisbon & I to Manila to spend more time with my family & to continue my well deserved rest.
Below are some pictures from Singapore
One evening, hubby & I decided to go to Chinatown..We took a taxi from the hotel & told the driver to take us to chinatown.The driver, started speaking with me in chinese, so i stoped him & told him to speak in english cause i´m not chinese. Then he explained that he will take us only at the entrance of chinatown as he does not want to go beyond, its too dangerous! " Why would you like to go at chinatown"? he asked. " I answered, its my husband wish to go there so he better take us . Whenever we travel, hubby make it a point to go & see where the local people lives. observe their way of living, their culture. taste the local traditional food, mingle & talk to them.
Inside chinatown, there was a celebration going on something religious.We asked permission from some organizers if we can film it & they said yes. After we finish filming, we were hungry so we moved on to another area where they have mini food stall but we did´nt sit in anyone of them because so many of the vendors are very agressive & would´nt leave us alone & quietly choose what we feel to eat & where we feel to sit..Finally, we found one small restaurant outside the building with a small show window where peking duck & other poultry meats are hanging. That caught hub´s eyes, he said "We´ll eat here"!! My eyes open wide with surprise!
The reason was...inside, was a group seated with their feet on top of the table,the used dirty plates are still on top of the few stone tables they have.As we entered the group scrambled to their feet, cleared the table rapidly,put the plates,spoons & forks in one bucket of water with detergent ( i hoped),wiped the stone table with wet dark cloth ( dont know if it was the real color or the cloth was dirty),and i saw one lady quickly wash some of the plates & glasses in the bucket, wiped dry & set one table for us. I was horrified & open my eyes to hubby to let him know my reaction! Hahaha!! He ignored my appeal!( he´s very hungry) And proceeded with our order, plates of mixed poultry meats & a seafood chinese rice, chow mein & drinks.
Would you believe it if I tell you that all my "delicadeza" was put aside as we started eating? It was the best meal I ate in Singapore!!!! We left the restaurant well fed & satisfied customer. On our way to the hotel,we laughed at our experience !!! A night to remember, i must say!
After 10 days, its time for me to go Manila & leave hubby behind to wait for the ship to finish,for the arrival of his crew then proceed with his journey to lisbon & I to Manila to spend more time with my family & to continue my well deserved rest.
Friday 24 August 2007
Shattered Dreams
A year & 3 months later of a quiet & boring life as a shopkeeper working full time from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM....
One day in April 1991,hubby asked my opinion what i think about having a restaurant in the same shopping center ( oh no! )I told him this.." I know it has been your dream to have one but the problem is,can we afford the "trespasse"? (the right to continue w/ the same business)and "how much is the rent"? The restaurant occupies 2 shop, one is for the service area where kitchen & a coffee & pastry counter is,the other bigger area is for dining with a seating capacity for 36 people. Therefore, we´ll be paying rent for 3 shops and what more, we dont have any experience in food industry.
Professionally speaking hubby is a ship captain & my experience was in sales & marketing of cosmetics & perfumes.He said, it was a good offer & we can start immediately as soon as the contract is signed & transfered to our name & the legal register of business permit is done.We shall keep the same employees but I was againts it, i prefer to close the restaurant for sometime, clean, redecorate & employ new people that we can train to do exactly how we want the restaurant to function.Hubby did´nt listen, he does´nt want to lose more time & money. We only closed for the week end to clean & organize the things,redecorated a bit to for the restaurant to have a new presentation and we´re done!
The restaurant opening day was a sucess! New owners,new menus, new look, same old employees! Everybody was curious & happy with the food & service.I being at the kitchen service side to control & hubby at the dining side.I say curious because even the shopkeepers they all went to eat in our restaurant.
Our joy was short lived, we have´nt had a single day rest for ourselves covering for the day offs of our employees, we have neglected the gift shop but still paying for the rent,employees started giving us problem especially our cook a native fron cape verde,at first she requested if she could work straight from 10:00 to 6:00 PM. I gave her the permission because dinner service was a bit slow and for that I could do the kitchen service myself with the "ajudante" helper. Alas! as if I was being provoked & punished! We started having more clients at dinner time,than during the day! The days work started giving more, I never enjoyed being in the kitchen due to the pressure of being rushed to serve the clients order faster but being aware that good service keeps our client happy i have to endure the hardship of working in the kitchen serving orders that must be prepared right that moment. The worse clients are the shopkeepers knowing that i am the one cooking they would demand a quicker & well served plate for their orders. Then that is where my cook started giying me problem, if i call her attention about something she gets annoyed and one day when she came late for work, i told her to at at least try to come on time, she told me off..That was the last straw, hubby fired her the same day! One by one , the older employees started showing their true selves, a blond young waitress that i like was also fired because we caught her stealing money from our cash machine, followed by her sister that became very agressive when reprimanded with her mistakes, one guy that eat & drink so much beer whenever we are not around ( hubby & i rest from 4:00 to 7:00 and let the employees in charge of the restaurant on their own) Anyway with in a year time, all 7 employees that started with us were all fired paying all the benifits due them since their previous employer. With that situation we started having financial problem, we reduce our employees to 5 + 2 of us now working full time, hubby now serves the table & myself still manages the kitchen. Arriving home exhausted, complaining jokingly to hubby that before i always smell good using only the best& latest perfumes and now those perfumes can no longer hide the smell of food & fats that is within my skin , hair & clothing!
To augment our income,hubby started accepting jobs by embarking again on board of a ship, the first was 2 weeks absence,i did´nt mind so much because it was only a short period, I did´nt have problem with it as I drive & have an international license so, I can still do the same daily monotonous task we use to do together like shopping for everything we need for the restaurant and for the gift shop as well. I dont have anyone to rely on but myself.No help from my hubby´s family as he is the only son. That was the time when I really felt all alone in my stranged world....My Dad already passed away a month before i came to Portugal and it was him who had given me company during my solitudes. When Im om my own, he comes to my dreams right here at home in portugal and it comforts me to know he´s was there for me.Had several problems on my own either from our , employees, clients & others.
Everyday, hubby phones me to ask if everything is alright with me, I dont want to give him any problem, so i never told him anything.Hubby´s trip started getting longer,came another contract for 3 weeks, another 1 month,then came a good contract where he can take me with him in Singapore.He must be there to bringback to Lisbon one ship that was being build in there.But first we must plan what we should do , we cant just leave the restaurant with out anyone we trust to take charge, First option was to close and give the employee 1 month holiday and the 2nd option is to keep it open and ask my hubby´s eldest son to managed it for a period of 45 days of my absence.We decided for the 2nd option so off we go, took the opportunity to spend a much needed holiday and work holiday for hubby until the tug boat that was being built in Singapore is ready to sail.I spent 10 relaxing days in Singapore,and from there i´m so anxious to go to Manila.It will be a relief! Although I love eating chinese food,I started longing for steaks,which we eat at the hotel from time to time. I could´nt eat anymore chinese, malay,vietnamese or japanese food! And much more,I would like to go home & be with my family again after 3 yrs of absence!
My experience told me that, i guess the portuguese( CANT SAY TO ALL,a few of them showed me also genuine affection especially the older people ) cannot accept an asian or "chinoca" (chinese) as they often mistake me for, to be more superior than them. Our own employees, some shopkeepers attitude towards me prove that. They said they are not racist and i guess they are not really! But subconsciously they dislike being inferior to some "estrangeiros" foreigners especially to blacks, asians or even brazilians.
My husbands dream of going into a restaurant business became a NIGHTMARE for both of us! A "SHATTERED DREAM" I must say!
Have to stop from here.. its a long story, maybe i´m boring you with my blah, blah blahs of the past..but i will continue for the next part later.
Thanks for reading !
One day in April 1991,hubby asked my opinion what i think about having a restaurant in the same shopping center ( oh no! )I told him this.." I know it has been your dream to have one but the problem is,can we afford the "trespasse"? (the right to continue w/ the same business)and "how much is the rent"? The restaurant occupies 2 shop, one is for the service area where kitchen & a coffee & pastry counter is,the other bigger area is for dining with a seating capacity for 36 people. Therefore, we´ll be paying rent for 3 shops and what more, we dont have any experience in food industry.
Professionally speaking hubby is a ship captain & my experience was in sales & marketing of cosmetics & perfumes.He said, it was a good offer & we can start immediately as soon as the contract is signed & transfered to our name & the legal register of business permit is done.We shall keep the same employees but I was againts it, i prefer to close the restaurant for sometime, clean, redecorate & employ new people that we can train to do exactly how we want the restaurant to function.Hubby did´nt listen, he does´nt want to lose more time & money. We only closed for the week end to clean & organize the things,redecorated a bit to for the restaurant to have a new presentation and we´re done!
The restaurant opening day was a sucess! New owners,new menus, new look, same old employees! Everybody was curious & happy with the food & service.I being at the kitchen service side to control & hubby at the dining side.I say curious because even the shopkeepers they all went to eat in our restaurant.
Our joy was short lived, we have´nt had a single day rest for ourselves covering for the day offs of our employees, we have neglected the gift shop but still paying for the rent,employees started giving us problem especially our cook a native fron cape verde,at first she requested if she could work straight from 10:00 to 6:00 PM. I gave her the permission because dinner service was a bit slow and for that I could do the kitchen service myself with the "ajudante" helper. Alas! as if I was being provoked & punished! We started having more clients at dinner time,than during the day! The days work started giving more, I never enjoyed being in the kitchen due to the pressure of being rushed to serve the clients order faster but being aware that good service keeps our client happy i have to endure the hardship of working in the kitchen serving orders that must be prepared right that moment. The worse clients are the shopkeepers knowing that i am the one cooking they would demand a quicker & well served plate for their orders. Then that is where my cook started giying me problem, if i call her attention about something she gets annoyed and one day when she came late for work, i told her to at at least try to come on time, she told me off..That was the last straw, hubby fired her the same day! One by one , the older employees started showing their true selves, a blond young waitress that i like was also fired because we caught her stealing money from our cash machine, followed by her sister that became very agressive when reprimanded with her mistakes, one guy that eat & drink so much beer whenever we are not around ( hubby & i rest from 4:00 to 7:00 and let the employees in charge of the restaurant on their own) Anyway with in a year time, all 7 employees that started with us were all fired paying all the benifits due them since their previous employer. With that situation we started having financial problem, we reduce our employees to 5 + 2 of us now working full time, hubby now serves the table & myself still manages the kitchen. Arriving home exhausted, complaining jokingly to hubby that before i always smell good using only the best& latest perfumes and now those perfumes can no longer hide the smell of food & fats that is within my skin , hair & clothing!
To augment our income,hubby started accepting jobs by embarking again on board of a ship, the first was 2 weeks absence,i did´nt mind so much because it was only a short period, I did´nt have problem with it as I drive & have an international license so, I can still do the same daily monotonous task we use to do together like shopping for everything we need for the restaurant and for the gift shop as well. I dont have anyone to rely on but myself.No help from my hubby´s family as he is the only son. That was the time when I really felt all alone in my stranged world....My Dad already passed away a month before i came to Portugal and it was him who had given me company during my solitudes. When Im om my own, he comes to my dreams right here at home in portugal and it comforts me to know he´s was there for me.Had several problems on my own either from our , employees, clients & others.
Everyday, hubby phones me to ask if everything is alright with me, I dont want to give him any problem, so i never told him anything.Hubby´s trip started getting longer,came another contract for 3 weeks, another 1 month,then came a good contract where he can take me with him in Singapore.He must be there to bringback to Lisbon one ship that was being build in there.But first we must plan what we should do , we cant just leave the restaurant with out anyone we trust to take charge, First option was to close and give the employee 1 month holiday and the 2nd option is to keep it open and ask my hubby´s eldest son to managed it for a period of 45 days of my absence.We decided for the 2nd option so off we go, took the opportunity to spend a much needed holiday and work holiday for hubby until the tug boat that was being built in Singapore is ready to sail.I spent 10 relaxing days in Singapore,and from there i´m so anxious to go to Manila.It will be a relief! Although I love eating chinese food,I started longing for steaks,which we eat at the hotel from time to time. I could´nt eat anymore chinese, malay,vietnamese or japanese food! And much more,I would like to go home & be with my family again after 3 yrs of absence!
My experience told me that, i guess the portuguese( CANT SAY TO ALL,a few of them showed me also genuine affection especially the older people ) cannot accept an asian or "chinoca" (chinese) as they often mistake me for, to be more superior than them. Our own employees, some shopkeepers attitude towards me prove that. They said they are not racist and i guess they are not really! But subconsciously they dislike being inferior to some "estrangeiros" foreigners especially to blacks, asians or even brazilians.
My husbands dream of going into a restaurant business became a NIGHTMARE for both of us! A "SHATTERED DREAM" I must say!
Have to stop from here.. its a long story, maybe i´m boring you with my blah, blah blahs of the past..but i will continue for the next part later.
Thanks for reading !
Thursday 23 August 2007
What is wrong with my smile?
During my first visit to portugal 19 yrs ago, my first impression of their people was....they are happy,nice, very polite & friendly. Though i couldnt understand a word they were saying in those days, that observation & my impression stayed till we decided to go back & live in this beautiful country.
As, i was not able to get work during our first year, hubby & i decided to get into business like opening a small gift shop.So we went to a shopping center nearby,look around for an ideal shop available.There was one almost at the end of the shopping center, inquired about it, talked to the administrator,signed the contract & we´re ready to prepare and start the business.
For almost a week hubby & I have to clean & prepare the shop to our liking. Each day,to come our shop we have to pass through all the other shops.Curious shop owners standing by the doorway can see us passing thru ( probobly scrutinizing us each time we pass).Hubby sometimes speak with a few of them, greetings like "Bom Dia" or "Boa Tarde", a common courtesy in this part of the world to greet people wether they are your acquiantance or not. AS FOR MYSELF? Being an ASIAN with different culture, I ONLY SMILED TO PEOPLE! The shopkeepers was alarmed at our presence,they signed a petition paper,presented to the administration their concern.The petition is about us! The shopkeepers requested the administration not to let us have the shop in the shopping center because "WE ARE ANTIPATICOS"! ( UNFRIENDLY,SNOB, UNSYMPATHETIC,ETc,ETC.)
Later, my husband found out from another shopkeeper that it was because of me,being snobish,they said i never say hello or greet them! If those lady shopkeepers did´nt see me smile at them, its because they are only too happy to speak to my hubby & they dont look at me in the eye! WAS IT MY FAULT? WAS THAT A CRIME???!!! They judged me even before they knew me which was very sad. That was my first bad experience among the others that followed afterwards.
Where i came from, a smile is very precious & very well appreciated gesture. Common courtesies like "Good Morning" & "Good Afternoons" are only used as a courtesy at work to show respect to your superiors, guest or clients and to the family elders and acquiantances.To the elders , we have to bow & also kiss the back of their hands not on their cheek. My education does not allow me to raise my voice to the elders,respect is very important to the elders, parents, aunties or uncles, elder brothers or sisters. As a kid, we are not allowed to be near & listen to older peoples conversation, not to stare at people when they are eating,must behave well in other peoples home & no conversation or arguments at the table. And so many more of do´s & donts..
As time went by, my relationship with the co-shopkeepers did not go beyond my ocassional greetings of giving them only a smile (when i feel up to it). I dont owe them anything , they are the ones that should apologize for their attitudes!
Therefore, WHAT´S WRONG WITH JUST GIVING A SMILE???!!!
As, i was not able to get work during our first year, hubby & i decided to get into business like opening a small gift shop.So we went to a shopping center nearby,look around for an ideal shop available.There was one almost at the end of the shopping center, inquired about it, talked to the administrator,signed the contract & we´re ready to prepare and start the business.
For almost a week hubby & I have to clean & prepare the shop to our liking. Each day,to come our shop we have to pass through all the other shops.Curious shop owners standing by the doorway can see us passing thru ( probobly scrutinizing us each time we pass).Hubby sometimes speak with a few of them, greetings like "Bom Dia" or "Boa Tarde", a common courtesy in this part of the world to greet people wether they are your acquiantance or not. AS FOR MYSELF? Being an ASIAN with different culture, I ONLY SMILED TO PEOPLE! The shopkeepers was alarmed at our presence,they signed a petition paper,presented to the administration their concern.The petition is about us! The shopkeepers requested the administration not to let us have the shop in the shopping center because "WE ARE ANTIPATICOS"! ( UNFRIENDLY,SNOB, UNSYMPATHETIC,ETc,ETC.)
Later, my husband found out from another shopkeeper that it was because of me,being snobish,they said i never say hello or greet them! If those lady shopkeepers did´nt see me smile at them, its because they are only too happy to speak to my hubby & they dont look at me in the eye! WAS IT MY FAULT? WAS THAT A CRIME???!!! They judged me even before they knew me which was very sad. That was my first bad experience among the others that followed afterwards.
Where i came from, a smile is very precious & very well appreciated gesture. Common courtesies like "Good Morning" & "Good Afternoons" are only used as a courtesy at work to show respect to your superiors, guest or clients and to the family elders and acquiantances.To the elders , we have to bow & also kiss the back of their hands not on their cheek. My education does not allow me to raise my voice to the elders,respect is very important to the elders, parents, aunties or uncles, elder brothers or sisters. As a kid, we are not allowed to be near & listen to older peoples conversation, not to stare at people when they are eating,must behave well in other peoples home & no conversation or arguments at the table. And so many more of do´s & donts..
As time went by, my relationship with the co-shopkeepers did not go beyond my ocassional greetings of giving them only a smile (when i feel up to it). I dont owe them anything , they are the ones that should apologize for their attitudes!
Therefore, WHAT´S WRONG WITH JUST GIVING A SMILE???!!!
Wednesday 22 August 2007
Portuguese Azulejos
Wherever one goes in Portugal, you´ll find "Azulejos" inside the churches, cathedrals, palaces, train stations or subway stations and mostly in any ordinary traditional or modern houses..
The azulejos are a typical form of Portuguese or Spanish painted,tin glazed.ceramic tilework and it has become a typical aspect of Portuguese culture. They are applied on the walls , cielings, floors not only as an ornamental art form but also it has a functionality as temperature control at homes.
The art was introduced to Portugal via Spain by the Moors, who had learned the craft from the Persians.
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A 15th century Cuenca tile with armillary sphere which can still be seen at Sintra National Palace.( the armillary sphere is the symbol of King Manuel 1)
An altar decorated with azulejos at the Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça in Sagres
An Art Noveau in Porto
An ornamental frame in one famous restaurant by the seaside
Frame of ornamental azulejos at the outside wall of an old abandoned house near my place
Thursday 16 August 2007
How to Burn Fat without restrictions
I´ve been trying to burn fat around my waistline for a week now, so i started searching the net to help me do this objective..First i thought i would look for an exercise book that will help me trim my waist a little but then as i have problem with my spine & cant do so much stretching or real exercise other than swimming or brisk walking which is already enough for me. So, the idea about an exercise book was discarded.Then, this book about "Fat Loss 4 Idiots" called my attention, I click on the link & read the pitch page, as i continued I realised all my previous idea about low fat, low calorie foods was not really helping me meet my objective.This made me open my eyes and I remembered now, why is that everytime i go on holiday to my native country the Philippines, my weight goes down to 4-5 kilos less when in fact I eat several times a day! Breakfast,snack in between meals, lunch , again snack & dinner! So now I know and I started eating again 5-6 times a day & dringking lots of water.
With in a week time ,i already lost 1.5 kgs & 5 cm of my previous waistline measurement.Although I dont need to lose so much weight, I wll have to continue with this system of eating several times a day, provided I eat moderately and because I feel well, the most important is I dont have to worry any more about counting the calories of what I eat. Please click on the link below for more information,in case you are interested to learn how to burn fat with out restrictions!
Click Here!
Click Here!
With in a week time ,i already lost 1.5 kgs & 5 cm of my previous waistline measurement.Although I dont need to lose so much weight, I wll have to continue with this system of eating several times a day, provided I eat moderately and because I feel well, the most important is I dont have to worry any more about counting the calories of what I eat. Please click on the link below for more information,in case you are interested to learn how to burn fat with out restrictions!
Click Here!
Click Here!
Thursday 9 August 2007
Refresh with something cool on a hot summer day
Dont have much time these days for posting, so i will just fill my blog with some photos to feed your eyes with something refreshing that I usually prepare on hot summer days.
In the morning, we usually start our breakfast with fresh fruit like the ones above.
1/2 grapefruit, few slices of a peach, 1 or 2 pcs. of this sweet green plum
After, you can have a cup of "cafe com leite" (coffee w/ milk) and a fresh homemade scone with butter & homemade carrot & orange marmalade or white pumpkin (kundol)compote
For lunch, you can have a normal dish as grilled meat, serve with rice & green salads, or a baked fish with potatoes as the one in the photo above
And lastly for a light dinner, I prepared this typical cold soup called "Gaspacho" from the region of Alentejo.
The soup consist of fresh tomatoes,green pepper, cucumber, fresh tomato puree,coriander,ice cold water, salt,mince garlic, olive oil & vinegar.Also serve with pieces of bread in cubes that should be added to the soup. My hubby had 3 servings of this famous "Gaspacho" from the region where he was born.
And last is the heart shape tomato that i used for this soup, i only realized the shape after cutting it into half..Is´nt it a coincidence?
Cooking to be well apreciated must be done with labor of love .
In the morning, we usually start our breakfast with fresh fruit like the ones above.
1/2 grapefruit, few slices of a peach, 1 or 2 pcs. of this sweet green plum
After, you can have a cup of "cafe com leite" (coffee w/ milk) and a fresh homemade scone with butter & homemade carrot & orange marmalade or white pumpkin (kundol)compote
For lunch, you can have a normal dish as grilled meat, serve with rice & green salads, or a baked fish with potatoes as the one in the photo above
And lastly for a light dinner, I prepared this typical cold soup called "Gaspacho" from the region of Alentejo.
The soup consist of fresh tomatoes,green pepper, cucumber, fresh tomato puree,coriander,ice cold water, salt,mince garlic, olive oil & vinegar.Also serve with pieces of bread in cubes that should be added to the soup. My hubby had 3 servings of this famous "Gaspacho" from the region where he was born.
And last is the heart shape tomato that i used for this soup, i only realized the shape after cutting it into half..Is´nt it a coincidence?
Cooking to be well apreciated must be done with labor of love .
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