Volume 39, Number 04
Partyline
Just like about everyone I know, I'm not all that much into the cold weather we have been having. I know it's not all that bad in comparison to so many places in this world of ours, but even so, really don't much like it. What makes it even worse is I had to back out of a trip to the Philippines last week, and I was really looking forward to the sun and fun that great getaway has to offer. Oh well, hopefully I will get there, Thailand, Guam or someplace warm in late February, or March while it'll still be cold here. Hopefully you'll be able to do some traveling as well. Meanwhile, take care. It seems there's a new virus out there every day.
Still on travel, I really enjoyed a recent coffee break with Tokuichi Kanatani, director of ATB, (Across Travel Bureau) which along with No.1 Travel and MAP come under the umbrella of business tycoon Hideo Sawada's worldwide HIS travel network. If you travel, I'm sure you've seen his offices and buses everywhere. Across Travel was set up to help the foreign community find the best travel deals around, and to make travel the easy fun and interesting experience it should be. Their main office is a ten-minute walk from National Azabu supermarket. The agency office is light and bright with a colorful children's corner, and all kinds of ideas for, and information on, world travel. They're currently promoting nature travel with an emphasis on India, Africa and the Middle East. For more information call 03-5795- 4735 or see www.across-travel.com.
The United Arab Emirates is a popular destination now, and here in Tokyo U.A.E. Ambassador Saeed Ali Al-Nowais and his wife Zahra hosted a huge reception at the Imperial on the occasion of the U.A.E.'s 36th National Day anniversary. The venue, The Peacock Room, is one of the largest in Tokyo and it was wall-to-wall people. Invited guests included Japanese government officials, diplomats, business leaders, sports figures, familiar faces from the arts and entertainment worlds and the cream of Tokyo society. Once again there was the usual collection of party crashers. They must be aware of legendary Arab hospitality, and even with security procedures, they manage to get in without an invitation.
I can't understand why some people want to go to a place where they haven't been invited. One regular and well-known uninvited guest there—a “Japanese language teacher”, who also claims to be a journalist, kept busy asking several men if they would take her to the big Qatar reception the following week. That is really sad. Anyway, Saeed and Zahra are a popular couple and it was easy for the un-invited guest to get lost in the huge crowd of invited. As always, our Arab friends had many of their children there, and that always adds energy to any event. I've watched the Al-Nowais kids; Mohammed, Fatima, Ali and Laila grow up—what a nice family.
The reception venue was a glittering tribute to the history and development of the U.A.E. There were huge photos of the country's leaders, countless floral congratulations, a beautiful illuminated ice carving of the U.A.E.'s national emblem, and a photo exhibition on the seven Emirates. After enjoying the lavish buffet, guests could relax in the colorful tents at one end of the room and enjoy U.A.E. dates with Arab coffee or mint tea. It was a great evening in every way, perfect for the occasion. I have had the privilege of visiting the U.A.E. four times and on one of the visits drove to all seven of the Emirates. It is an amazing country to visit, and I plan to get back there soon to see all the futuristic developments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
U.S. Ambassador Tom Schieffer and his wife Susanne's holiday open house was American tradition at it's best. The embassy residence and garden were beautifully decorated, and the buffet, a huge variety of all the holiday favorites—turkey, ham, cranberry sauce and salads. There was also great Christmas cookies and eggnog. Tom and Susanne spent most of the evening greeting guests in front of a huge Christmas tree in the main reception room. With the large number of guests there, believe me, they kept busy. It was a laid back, very special evening with the Schieffers—a really great way to kick off the holiday season.
The annual Pirelli party was, as always, one of the highlights of the busy holiday season. This year the much-anticipated event was held at the prestigious Ritz Carlton Hotel. Once again, other than a few well-known party crashers, it was an evening of interesting trendy people—many leaders in the Italian community here.
I enjoyed introducing Dewi Sukarno, who you can see by the photos, looked fantastic to several of my friends. It was also nice seeing young ceramic artist Koji Tsuji. One of the television stations had shot a program on him at the New Lex a few months ago. The buffet was really special. I love risotto and the wild rice risotto they served that evening was the best I have ever had.
The program that evening included a dynamic film on Pirelli tires and live music. Each guest received a copy of the legendary Pirelli calendar. The theme this year was several of the worlds top models in exotic make-up and fashions, photographed by French photographer Patrick Demarchelier, on location in Shanghai.
The only downer for me in December was losing my neighbors, and good friends Vietnamese Ambassador Tuan Cap Chu and his wife Bguyen Phuong Dung after three years in Japan. They've returned home for a new government assignment. They'll certainly be missed, by all who had the privilege of knowing them, and I wish them all the best in their future ventures.
Ramadan ended on October 13 last year and on the occasion of Eid Al Fitri (Hari Raya Aidil Fitri) Brunei Darussalam Ambasssador Dato Mohd Adnan and his wife Pg Datin Yura Alaiti hosted a midday open house. I had the privilege of riding to the Adnan's residence with Jordinian Ambassador Samir Naouri and his wife Shizuko. That popular couple are always interesting and fun to be with.
The weather was nice and most of the guests enjoyed the buffet and being with other guests on the patio in the garden. Qatar Ambassador Reyad Al-Ansari who is Dean of the Arab Corps, and his wife Muna arrived a little late as they had “a wonderful night's stay that included dinner at the Chinese restaurant at the Peninsula Hotel”. It was a laid back afternoon where guests even had the opportunity to show off their karaoke skills.
I recently read that when the Beatles were on tour they were not allowed to stay at one hotel, which considered them delinquents. Years ago sitting in the lobby coffee shop of another top hotel, I happened to turn around and saw Yoko Ono sitting nearby. I had met her in London and New York, so got up, went over and asked her what she was doing in Tokyo. “John and I are going to be in Japan for a few months. John's over talking to the manager, but it seems like they don't want us,” she told me. John came back over and said “no deal”. I told him that I knew the manager and perhaps I could help. “I appreciate your offer, but if they don't want us, we'll go somewhere else,” he said, and that's what they did. It wasn't too long after that the great musician and man was killed in NYC. A few months after that I was at the same table, same hotel and I turned around to see John sitting there at the same table he and Yoko were at when I first met him. Needless to say this really spooked me out. About that time, Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart and James Dean got out of the lobby elevator and came over to sit with John. Curiosity got the better of me and I went over to the table and learned that the group was “look-alikes” that TBS television had brought in for a special show. Believe me, John's look-alike was the spitting image of him. Six months later I ran into Yoko in NYC and told her about the episode, she was as spooked out as I was!
Tokyo's showbiz scene is very busy, and there are several happenings your kids (and you) would really enjoy. Over at Yoyogi Park, Cirque du Soleil's Dralion is playing at Shin Big Top Harajuku through March 2. The avant-garde Blue Man Group from Las Vegas is performing at the Invoice Theater in Roppongi (across from Roppongi Hills Starbucks) and will have performances until April 25.
There are also excellent Japanese productions of two superstar musicals: The Lion King until March 31 and Cats until April 28. Even if you don't speak Japanese, the music, costumes, make-up and sets, really make both shows a memorable, theatrical experience. Finally, but not for the kids, there's a new rock musical based on the award-winning colorful, fun and controversial film Hedwig and the Angry Inch coming up in April and May.
Also, don't miss Refugees International 18th Art of Dining exhibition on March 5 at The Westin Hotel, Ebisu.