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Published by Dave Newnham & FiniteSite.com

Last revised 23/02/03

Itaparica, Brazil (August 88 to April 1990)

Aerial view of Itaparica, Salvador de Bahia

Que prazer, que Pais, estava completemente legal.................Arrived in Salvador de Bahia, and took a bus and Ferry to Itaparica, (A Ilha de Itaparica). Just the bus trip was amazing, such a different feeling from the favelas on the outskirts of Salvador to the joy of the decrepit old ferry across to the Island, drinking a 'suco de laranja' followed by a 'brahma choppe, uma cerveja completemente gelada, '!. First view of the village was the football field, a beautiful green grass arena. Through the gate and it opened up onto a fabulous sight, bamboo lined driveway with the lagoon to the right. one of the most beautiful villages I had worked in. In next to no time I was in the groove. Luc Distelmans was the CdV, who I had worked with in Turkoise (first time). So we knew each other well and ended up the first evening at the bar. Plenty of Brahmas and Caipirinhas and I reckon my Brazilian was perfecting fast.....This first season with Luc Distelmans was typically Brazilian from start to finish, party, party, party, always accompanied by the sounds of Samba and Batucada. Highlight of the season was the Citibank Open de Tennis, which saw the resort taken over for 8 days by the hoi-polloi of Brazilian society. The year before, Andre Agassi had won the event as an up and coming teenager. The biggest stars the first year were the Sanchez brothers, Javier and Emilio. More important (apart from the free Campari at Centre Court), was the shows. Gal Costa, Toquinho, Simone, amongst others who graced the stage built amongst the Cocoteraie. A festa total. The season flew by unfortunately, and from a superb season, saw the complete opposite with the arrival of the next CdV whose name completely escapes me, an Algerian better forgotten. Suffice it to say that it was 6 months of torture, aided only by the fact that Brazilian life goes on in its normal party style. I even sacked the CdV's wife (Lady Diana) with the support of the CdV as she was incapable of doing her job as Chef de Reception. This of course played on my relationship with the CdV even though he agreed. I was ready to leave and go back to Paris. Luckily Alexandre in the Maintenance and my two assistants, Amelie & Eduardo (unfortunately dead one year later at an early age, from AIDS) were very supportive, and I outlasted the CdV (who hated Brazil!!!) and awaited the next one. Such a change as well, Myriam Karaohanessian, an Armenian bundle of energy bounced into the village. It was back to as before as party gave way to party. With Bouffi and Myrna, every day in the Office was fun, and once again the season flew by, beautifully interrupted by the latest Citibank Open. Three seasons in Itaparica and it wasn't enough for me. I pleaded with Shalom in Rio to let me stay or at least transfer to Rio das Pedras, but to no avail. I headed off for a holiday in Rio, Sao Paulo and Rio das Pedras, to wait for Doris Dresscher in order to travel round Brazil for a month, on a trans-Brazil Pass. However Paris had other plans and told me to hotfoot it back to Paris. Hence I missed Carnival in Rio for which I had a ticket in the Tribunes with Gustavo's family. I was peeved too say the least. Even more peeved when I arrived in Paris to be told that I was going to be sent to London Office but it had fallen through and that I would have to wait three months for my next season. I desperately tried to get a flight back to Rio in time for the Carnival but all to no avail.

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Paris finally phoned me back in London to tell me that I was to be sent to Kemer in Turkey in early April. Quite pleased to go there as it was a country that had always fascinated me. First bad omen however was on meeting the CdV on the flight out there. Guy Arnoult was bag of nerves gripping the arm rests for the entire duration of the flight and looking like death warmed up. His health was a major issue of the season as he had escaped from hospital literally instead of facing a surgeon for his back problem. Shame as the village was beautiful, and the team good. However the CdV wasn't functioning so I phoned Ali Imane in Istanbul and suggested he come down to check out Guy. Ali tried to persuade Guy to go back to Paris to seek medical help, but he was traumatised by fear of doctors! the outcome was that he didn't trust me any more and asked for my transfer!, much to the disgust of Paris and Ali. It was arranged for me to move to the next village, where they were going to find me a job for the rest of the season looking after the Tours and Circuits accounts, for the two villages. However I decided to go off on a trip first to Cappadoce and then by Gullet along the southern coast of Turkey, as Istanbul couldn't seem to get Paris to agree. The trip was absolutely stunning, especially the landscape of Cappadoce and the surrounds of Goreme and the coastline via Kas to Bodrum and then on to Kusadasi. I didn't regret leaving one iota, despite leaving behind a good friend in Renee Knight (Resp.Boutique). Back to Paris where I received another apology for the actions of the CdV....................

Kemer, south coast of Turkey

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Marbella (August to October 1990)

Paris asked me if I would go down to Marbella and help out the Gestionnaire as he was having trouble with his Aide Gestionnaire. Never have been one to like Marbella, as I had done a computer course there before going to Roussalka, but nevertheless beggars couldn't be choosers. The Gestionnaire was an old buddy, Philippe, who loved his football (and he had satellite in his room so even better). Unfortunately Robert the CdV was a mate of Guy Arnoult and decided to give me a hard time. I enjoyed my stay knowing it was only to be temporary. Can't really call it a highlight but I did become the weekly Tour Guide to Gibraltar being the resident English guy. Gibraltar really is a dump and trying to find interesting things to say about the colony was always hard, especially the road trip down the eastern side to see the water catchments plant (a simple process of concreting the mountain side to collect rainwater). The best bit of the trip was to let the punters visit the shops while I hit the Pub for a pint and a read of the Guardian. Also had to do the ciggie shopping for the GO's as Gibraltar was duty free. The old part of Marbella was very pleasant, and I often went down there to while away the afternoon. However Robert decided that he wanted me to stay until the end of the season (I must have done something right, though I think it had more to do with him disliking the American Aide Gestionnaire more). Paris wasn't too happy as they wanted me to take over in Chateau Gaillon in Normandy. So when Robert went to a CdV meeting in Portugal, I got on a plane to Paris and escaped.

Marbella in the South of Spain

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