Tag Archives: cigars

Random Thoughts (11)

Mohammad Mostafaei, the lawyer with whom I was arrested in Iran, has written a book. He says I am in it too, but I can’t read Norwegian, so I have to wait for a translation. Does anyone still remember José Echegaray … Continue reading

Posted in Books, France, History, Human Rights, Iran, Language, Law, Mexico, Military, Politics, Sports, Travel, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

10,000 boxes of cigars

When General Ulysses Grant was described by newspapers as smoking cigars during the Battle at Fort Donelson in Tennessee in 1862, admirers from around the country sent him more than 10,000 boxes of cigars for further use. He later said: I had … Continue reading

Posted in History, USA | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

The worst year for human health

1492 must have been the worst year for human health. Latin Americans got deadly diseases, alcohol and bacon. Europeans got diarrhea, chocolate and tobacco.

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A Humidor for the Poor

Among us connoisseurs: a fridge is just as good. I learnt this from the store in Cochabamba where I regularly bought cheap (probably because they weren’t quite authentic) Cohibas. They stored the box with cigars on top of the beer … Continue reading

Posted in Food | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

250,000 cigars

In his book The Churchill Factor, Boris Johnson makes the apodictic claim that Winston Churchill smoked 250,000 cigars over his lifetime. This number looks too much like it has been pulled out of Mr Churchill’s famous hat. Let’s apply some … Continue reading

Posted in History, UK | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The perfect parcel

Books, chocolate, cigars. Anything else, I can do without.

Posted in Books | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Video: A Busy Day at Work

I often receive reactions of surprise when I point out that I don’t have time to accept invitations to meetings, to get something done or to answer your e-mails. But I am really extremely busy. To counter the incredulous astonishment that regularly meets this assertion, … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Life, Philosophy, Romania, Video Blog | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

A cigar a day keeps the doctor away

In Budapest, I saw this health warning on a cigar which I bought to reward myself for having run my best result ever in a half marathon: I don’t speak Hungarian, but the picture of an apple indicated to me … Continue reading

Posted in Hungary, Language | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Mountain Air

Enjoying the mountain air at the Curmătura refuge in the Piatra Craiului Mountains in Romania. (Photos by Dominik Lenz.)

Posted in Photography, Romania, Travel | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Why the embargo against Cuba will be eased

I am glad to see that I am not the only one who appreciates cigars.

Posted in Cuba, Politics, USA | Tagged , | 2 Comments