Page 91 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2024 LIMA

Piselli, instead of at this dreary place. a former busboy and waiter at the
Edward smiled knowing as he an‐ restaurant, was the new Friar. He was
nounced that we were about to see the most passionate, claiming he saw the
ghost of lovelorn ghost and felt his spirit. We told him we
Francisco repeat his had come from San
leap into the crash‐ Diego to see him. It was
ing waves below us. all quite theatrical - and
Well, that got our at‐ amusing.
tention. Then he was out the
There’s a guy, he door. We went to the
explained, who is fa‐ window and sure enough,
mous for reenacting a few minutes later he
the tragic dive into stood on the edge of the
the sea. His name is cliff, yelling and waving
Fernando Canchari, “Hello San Diego!” sev‐
and he’s been per‐ eral times. He turned
forming for bus around and paused
tours, tourists, and studying the waves and
diners for the past the rocks below. Then
26 years. Looking jumped.
around the barren From our perch, we
room, we wondered couldn’t see him hit the
why Canchari would water or rocks - which‐
do this for a table of ever it was. A few tense
three. Edward told us minutes later he pulled
it was arranged - no problem. He should himself up the cliff and waved again, re‐
show up any minute. peating “Hello San Diego.” We were re‐
Now we were excited. Spotlights from lieved, thankful we could sleep guilt-free
the restaurant highlighted the place that night. A few minutes later, still drip‐
where the act would take place. But a ping wet and wearing his ripped sheet, he
half-hour later, still no Faux Francisco. was back in the dining room. We thanked
Our bottle was empty and we were about him profusely and pressed $20 each into
to pull up stakes when a guy wearing a his damp hands. Ecstatic, he turned and
big grin and a white sheet rushed to the disappeared into the darkness.
table. He explained that he was not Fer‐ It was a fitting finale for our most
nando Canchari. Fernando retired and he, wonderful adventure in Lima with Edward.

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