SFluxe » People » Mireille Schwartz Birthday

SFluxe » People » Mireille Schwartz Birthday

Left: Princess Amber Marie Bently and Princess Sophia Bekele!

Right: Joy Bianchi, Damion Matthews of SFluxe, Christopher Bently of Kamalaspa in the Limo off to dinner!

Washington DC - Dec 2007

Washington Worldbank /AU Diaspora meeting:

Power women panel: Obiageli Ezekwesili addresses audience members of the African diaspora joined by Ezekwesili Amina Salum Ali, the African Union Ambassador to the United States, and by World Bank Managing Director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Nov 2007 - Los Angeles

Raising funds for African Entrepreure Film, joined by Rwandan Film maker Eric kabera, reknowed for his film....

Left, with President, National Georgaphic . Right, with Eric and Grace Rwaramba, famously know for being Michael Jackson's wife in 2007.

Nov-2007 ..ICANN LA

Last day for Vint Cerf, so I flew from Kigali to LA for the occasion.... Below with Vint.

Kigali Summit Oct 29-30

Kigali was the most amazing African city I have ever been.... I have been to 240 cities in the world to date and found it is the cleanest city I have ever seen....some highlights below...

Kigali Summit 'Connect Africa' -with Mr. & Ms. Toure - Right.
Was a very successful summit . I did my presentation for CIIN - http://ciin4africa.blogspot.com/

Left - signing the visitor notebook , after the Genocide site visit. Also see this video link to the Genocide museum.
With Happy and Samia - Obove. Night life is limited in Kigali....but went out of town to Lake Muhazi also, known for watching sea otters and where the President's has his vacation place.

ICANN San Juan - Porto Rico

ICANN San Juan - Porto Rico
http://icannsanjuan.pr/

15th century charm, 20th century attitude, San Juan is everything you want it to be. One of the largest islands in the region, Puerto Rico encompasses mountains, underground caves, coral reefs, white-sand beaches and a rain forest big enough to supply water to most of the island. But it's also heavily developed -- San Juan is a big city with a bustling business district, the Caribbean's largest convention center, glitzy resorts and casinos as well as one of the most stunning colonial zones in Latin America. A sophisticated hub for business and commerce. A picturesque home to more than one million people, where old-world charm and historic architecture blend with modern-day comforts and technology. Located just minutes from forts dating back to the 16th century are the world’s most prestigious hotel chains and ultra-chic shopping centers.

The San Juan Metropolitan Area is a historical jewel, for shopping, dinning and water sports!.
San Juan was recently designated as a BestCities member, the world’s first and only convention bureaus alliance with eight partners on five continents. It is also the only Spanish-speaking city in the alliance and the only one in the Caribbean and Latin America to receive such a distinction. As a BestCities member, visitors are guaranteed a level of expertise unprecedented anywhere else in the Caribbean. Choosing a BestCities destination, like San Juan, provides you with unique data, information and the best service practice exchange process.

Today, San Juan stands as the epicenter of technological development in the Caribbean. With an ever changing and ever growing infrastructure, and new urban developments, San Juan stands at the forefront of development in the area. Serving as the main and largest volume generating teleport in the region, San Juan possesses a state-of-the-art commutation network, which includes fiber optics and systems for cellular and satellite communications.

Bacardi Rum Plant LEFT: Home of Bacardi rum. The new Casa Bacardi Visitor Center highlights our heritage and tradition since 1862 as PR's position as the number-one premium distilled spirits brand in the world. You will enjoy Bacardi through sight, smell, touch and taste.

The nightlife...
We stayed at the Caribe Hilton, on the Atlantic Ocean, has an oceanfront pool complex, private beach, spa and kids' club.... has 6 restaurants: The premier steakhouse, Morton’s of Chicago Palmeras Restaurant, serving Caribbean and Mediterranean cuisine Olas Health Bar with a gourmet fare that tastes too good to be healthy Madrid San Juan Restaurant and Tapas Bar featuring Spanish delicacies Rotisserie IL Giardino and Bar, offers Italian cuisine. Massages by the beach, starbucks, ... http://icannsanjuan.pr/venue.php

Invited to UN GAID as expert advisor

So, an invitation came from UNGAID to serve as expert advisor to the upcoming 'Connectvity Africa' submit in Rwanda...that was nice! ok I accepted...love to go to Rwanda!

Parguera Divers' Dive Sites

Parguera Divers' Dive Sites: " Black Wall, San JuanParguera Divers has over 25 divesites from Guanica "

San Juan - Purto Ricco and much more

Pictures for Caribe Hilton, San Juan - Yahoo! Travel: "Caribe Hilton pictures " see video link on My Travels section..

Casino nightclubs








My room for that matter!

UN Wire

UN Wire: "Analysis: Annan is gone, but Africa still key to UNFive months after native Ghanaian Kofi Annan retired as head of the United Nations and was replaced by South Korean Ban Ki-moon, Africa's crucial role at the world body remains intact, the East African Standard reports. Ban so far has expressed strong commitment to the continent, including appointing Tanzania's former foreign minister, Asha-Rose Migiro, as deputy secretary-general. AllAfrica Global Media/East African Standard (Kenya)"

YouTube - Taking Liberties Trailer

YouTube - Taking Liberties Trailer

Freedom of Speech. Right to Privacy. Innocent Until Proven guilty. Prohibition from Torture. TAKING LIBERTIES will reveal how these liberties have been systematically destroyed by New Labour, and the freedoms of the British people stolen from under their noses amidst a climate of fear created by the media and government itself

Getting on..

Went to my World Affairs Council regular meeting.. topic was NGO work in Kenya. Interesting to hear from the horses mouth. Really shows that people do vacation in Africa take photos of slums and create a whole "let us raise funds" charity around Africa.. brilliant idea..the org they are affiliated with gave then 2500 plus they have to raise their travel ticket themselves they said. Ok let us do the math... save few moneys, couch class ticket to East Africa can be obtained between 700 to 1500 depending when u planned. so the money raised by the institutions will go for maybe car rentals meals or photo hire and other administrative moneys, even 10k could not make a big impact let alone 2500.

Will try and see the positive side, these people at least told their story, but admit it would never be sustainable for those communities they visited or even other. Africa needs a massive effort to change and local US NGO will never make a difference i that what is required. Funny how one fellow from the audience came later and approached me with a proposal for testing his aids medicine in Africa over say a 400 people community, after hearing me make comment and ask questions to the speakers and introducing myself as an Ethiopian. Of course I have to turn him down gracefully after explaining to him to watch the movies related to these stories., which he does not seem to have a clue about.GC and i went for drinks some o'dervs after to Bings, Prima & then Scala for cafe latte. Cheers..I am back! s

Back to Walnut Creek -the usual ways

Ok back to regular lifestyle of Wk, although I came back without my travel bags and only my carry on...Early Gym seeing my buddies, (Jet lag is also best for this), happy I did not gain any weight in this trip, coffee at Pitts & Scala, post office, wholefoods, Prima 4 drinks, shopping the stores for what is new, movies , calling friends , I sure feel back. Although I travel well, (business class seats & lounges for Internet, 5 star hotels with Gym & concierge services, carry my wholefoods with protein and other V-stuff), there is nothing like coming home again around my books, music (although I carry my MP3 on my trips), art, NPR radio and especially my regular hangouts of WAC, the IIE, parties at A-list, and being able to read my regular magazines and browse the Internet in my bed!

Bangkok, Thailand

Cities Bangkok, Thailand:

The Dusit Thani is a five-star hotel in Bangkok, world-famous for the excellence of its facilities and services....located in the heart of Bangkok's entertainment, business and shopping districts, close to Lumpini Park and other Bangkok attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho ( MESSAGE) and the night markets of Patpong. The Dusit Thani is also only 25 kilometres from Bangkok International Airport.... rooms with elegant Thai design....
...Facilities include the Devarana Spa, offering premium spa treatments, a golf driving range, and a swimmimg pool set in landscaped, tropical gardens...fully equipped Fitness Centre and shopping arcade.
..eight restaurants with international menus.... sophisticated spots to enjoy a cocktail, including MyBar, the Champagne Bar, the Lobby Lounge, and the rooftop D'Sens Bar - with its stunning views over Bangkok.

Wat Phra Kaew (??????????), the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the adjoining Grand Palace together form perhaps the greatest spectacle for the visitor to Bangkok
Wat Pho, Temple of the Reclining Buddha as it is generally known to the Thais, is mainly famous for the huge Reclining Buddha statue it houses. At 20 acres large, it is the largest Wat in Bangkok, and is technically the oldest too, as it was built around 200 years before Bangkok became Thailand's capital. However, today the Wat today bears virtually no resemblance to that originally constructed, as it was almost entirely rebuilt by Rama I when the capital was moved to Bangkok. It holds the dual honors of having both Thailand's largest reclining Buddha image and the most number of Buddha images in Thailand.

The highly impressive gold plated reclining Buddha is 46 meters long and 15 meters high, and is designed to illustrate the passing of the Buddha into nirvana. The feet and the eyes are engraved with mother-of-pearl decoration, and the feet also show the 108 auspicious characteristics of the true Budd Wat Pho is also famous as Thailand's first university, and is center for traditional Thai masage - the rich, famous and powerful have all been known to come here. Inscribed on stone in the walls of

Message--Wat Pho are all that was known about Thai massage dating from the reign of King Rama III (most previous texts were lost when the Burmese destroyed Ayuthaya). I had the hotel book for me for the best in town...best is when you do not wake up after 1 hour message and do not want to go home... The Grand Palace adjoins Wat Phra Kaew in a common compound, and is where you will end up after exiting Wat Phra Kaew.
National Museum, which claims to be the largest of it's kind in all of South East Asia. It serves as a good place to learn about the full range of Thai culture, history, and of the traditional significance of Buddhism to the Thai way of life.
The famous Wat Arun (???????), perhaps better known as the Temple of the Dawn, is one of the best known landmarks and one of the most published images of Bangkok. Very close to the intersection of Charoen Krung and Yaowarat road is perhaps the only real top attraction in Chinatown, Wat Traimit, the Temple of the Golden Buddha. At first glance, the 3m high Buddha image in here looks distinctly average and undeserving of the busloads of tourists that visit every day. What attracts them all however, is the remarkable fact that it's made of 5.5 tonnes of solid gold. Ko Rattanakosin is the old royal city area and there are other attractions here amongst the famous temples listed above. Lak Meuang, the city shrine, is often full of worshippers and there's a resident dance troupe for hire about 5 minutes from Khao San stands the 24m tall Democracy Monument. This dominates busy Ratchadamnoen Klang road, and was made to commemorate Thailand's 1932 switch from absolute to constitutional monarchy.

Equally noteworthy, but for the wrong reasons, is that it was here that many Thais were killed protesting against a military coup in 1992. The design is of a large copper tray (which weighs 4 tonnes) carrying the constitution, supported by a pedestal. Bangkok's infamous gem scam has ruined the holidays of many, many visitors to Thailand
Places to go:
Khin lomchom -sa pham, Thailands/seafood dish, softshell crab in ellow curry
-top silk shops is Almeta

-to Be Young & Hip in Bangkok, the Au Bon Pain at J Avenue, a strip mall on Soi Thonglor in ...
-Thai at the famous Baan Khanitha for lunch, just around the corner from Hotel... another great place we went for cigar smoking was Sirocco, reservation outside on the balcony with Paranomic view. Similar to Vertigo moon bar, where I have been in March.

Going to Phuket this trip was out of the question, my consieage confirmed, as I was hoping to go for diving....in my dreams I said, so next time...am on my way to Tokyo tomorrow.

Addis 4 Easter Friday!

Here I am ..my mother land..I smell the Ingera for Easter..too excited, I know the country will be in a frozen status for 2 weeks before they go back to their regular living. Easter is a big holiday. So my VIP recipient did not come this time at the airport, cause the had to get his wife to deliver in Germany. They had a baby boy!Checked-in at the Hilton Addis. http://www.africaguide.com/accomm/index.php?LocationID=88&ItemID=23?LocationID=88&ItemID=23 Room over the pool..lovely. Sure culture is wondering why not with Mom @ home. Spoiled and a rebel in my adulthood,, I opted for my regular travel lifestyle at a cost of 100 US a day. Not bad for a 5star considering my intl standards stay-ins. There is more than money issue in Addis.. stress comes from family, being a socialites, business issues anything! So in order to stay balanced, I worked by the pool most of the time instead of at the office, dipping-in and out depending on the shade/sun weather, which seem to adapt 4 seasons in 1 hr. Aside from the Hilton pool you are seeing me at (did I mention there is wi-fi by the pool)!, the pic below you see is a vacation resort called "Kuriftu", in a town called Debre Zeit, a local hangout turned, "members only" yes, capitalism is back! just for the exclusive elite locals and the international crowd and the privileges Diasporas like us.. amazing place; first class facilities, with health club, manicure, hair styling, massage Asian style, with all the flower on the bed and each room comes with a bike and a motorboat (see details pic in my travels section). Rooms booked 6 months ahead, with some privileged rooms available for the VIPs of course...now I believe why they say Addis was growing at 10%. Also from the buildings in town that you see ( which includes one of my family high rise towers, BTW), many resorts and intl restaurants have flooded the country and yes, if you are staying in a 5star hotel, and go the places I go daily, the 10% growth goes quickly to a 20% right in front of your eyes.

So what else did I do..oh.. yes, my advocacy work...the Rotary Club and my fund raising pet project "Solar Cooking" for Ethiopian villages. Photo Op below! and some of the meetings I used to go to the government offices trying to get projects mobilized for the Country's Eduction. Yes, I got to look chic at times..not bad for a gIRL diaspora trying to get her feet wet in her "mens" country! u go girl!

The Algarve..@ The Golden Triangle..

So I jet set to the Algarve..and stayed at the 'Vale do lobo', most established resort of Algarve and considered the Golden Triangle. 100 metres from the beach and I stayed at the La Meridian on the Vale do Lobo estate., the largest most modern resort. I wanted to be close to Vilamora and the marina.
Then I took a limousine taxi the hotel calls for you (yes I pay 4 it gee.. why are not some things 4 free? just put it on the room so I do not feel it right!) great driver tough..dropped me at shopping center 20 minutes from the resort ...my style of designers, Zara, Salsa, Berska, Stradivarius, all the Spanish & Portuguese designs... I got an amazing jean shoes..back with a taxi, I then walked to the Hotels night club withing the compound.. were the English has colonized the place, all drunk as usual..one step inside, a group zoomed on me and as I sat at the bar and ordered a drink and lite up my cigar, they have already figured out who is to make the 1 or 2 or 3 move.. and who finally will take me home.. so here it comes. are u a model...wow! "yes, sometimes..but my body has checked out tonight" was my line...has a great time tough... their accent is entertaining for the lack of having fun w the Portuguese...so we danced and laughed all morning, ...and split civilly with everyone...

Few days of pampering, I got bored at the resort and asked the concierge to book me another hotel in Vilamora itself..( my, was that magnificent hotel and view) and Vilamora is Vilamore..very commercial, but was time to people watch and go out every night.. next is a pic from my catwalks on the avenues of the Vilamora marina.. i love it when i get the whistles.. many Irish/English type.. great fish and port of course in every restaurant... I took a days trip to Albufera, 2 hrs room town, had great time at the Vilamora Casino one night, Russian everything, naked dancers ...very classy...see more pics in My Travel section.
Cheers

ICANN - Lisbon (My Accomplishments)

• IDN Language group convened
• GNSO Update to African Group (Agenda)
• Africa Group formalized
• dot.africa initiated

Lisbon (Social Activities)

Friday/Sat: First day dinner at the marina (Dock 6) and walkabout. Similar evening next day dinner at Severe Restaurant listening to Fado etc...then went to the Marina for same music and dancing. Run into the club that were sponsoring the Vilamoura Black Jack Dancing Girls. Won one of their CDs from the dancing girls as she picked e from the crowd, maybe she noticed I was dancing to her tune.Tue: Next Gala dinner was at the famous 'Convent' Museum.

Wed: site seeing with colleagues... dinner 2x @.......restaurant, hosted by Russians, They got accredited plus in honor of my assistance to the group coming to ICANN and IDN WG. Then we went again for a crab grab upon Yoav's request.

Next day was City tour with Yoav and Kohn. Vsited the 'Castel de Sao Jorge' castle also called Tower of Ulysses, named after the founder f Lisbon, a 360 degree view of Lisbon real time. Then stopped for coffee at the town square sitting outside and watching beautiful people, smoke cigar, great tester they have...those Euro cookies that I grew up with. ...very delicious

Thru: Lunch with RR..sexy and witty..a dangerous liaison in ICANN.Fri: Off to Casino in ....with the Russians..
Sat: Off to Algarve

ICANN - Lisbon

The music alone invites you!
http://www.icann-lisboa.pt/en/homepage/index.html
http://www.strawberryworld-lisbon.com/lisbon/places/index.htmlon.com/lisbon/places/index.html
http://www.corinthiahotels.com/hotel.asp?h=24 (Our Hotel)

My Reflection on Traveling

I was happy that I could host my trip movies for free on google, smart ad kind enough to get us over 100mb more than others. So I stated thinking what I always contemplate ad strike conversation with strangers at airport lineups, despite that I ave reached a 'VIP' status on the air.

Next think I ask your people to do is come up with a technology to 'beam us up', when we travel, because despite my fancy accommodations in bus class, I hate the airports with 100k people, line up for luggage, security all makes you feel you are in economy anyway.

Traveling is only a destination, where once you found pleasure starting at the airport where you meet people. No wonder the airports are equipped with fancy lounges, gyms, movie theaters, massage parlors.. you will see it in my movie...class level event better than in your land, you just have to pay for it... finally, the airports have become the DESTINATION!. I rest my case. Will ell u more bout my trip on next posting. Cheers for now. SB

Brazil, Sau Paulo - AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS! 3rd Trip in 2006

Movie is Finally Published...my own movie making experience...

Alright, I started in Brazil, Sau Paulo, is suppose to be winter season, but makes makes California looks like Alaska. It is a beautiful weather, land of the beautiful people, language, music and love. If you have been their before or did your reading properly, yes, you feel all of that I said right from the airport. Additionally it was few months after World cup, so you think of Pele, Ayton Senna....

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7098307665798882061

My new Vista and movie making

Just finished making my movie on my new Vista, for my 'Around-the-World in 90 days' trip. Terrific! Vista is really made for this stuff entertainment. Once you get a handle on the features, you are on a deal. Only thing is the publishing quality after you host it on the next deteriorates. You look like a picture instead of the 'live human'. Go check it you. I have posted the link here: With over 100MB, maybe that goes without saying. I also needed to sort out a hosting space and google came to the rescue as usual. Thanks google.

Singapore ahd Shanghai

Why not stop at Asia before getting back...I did all of
John Nasbitts recommendations:
--Model city is Pudong, east side of the Huangpu River in Shanghai.
-Shanghai - site 4 Wold Expo 2010
-2 Mile Najing Rd- Greatest Shopping Blvd
(china is a manet of opportunity; the new opium;)
-Zhongshan Dong Lu along the Huangpo River, well known as "the Bund".
a place not to miss: M on the Bund, owned by an Australian chef, Michelle Garnaut, 1920 build
-best menu- suckling pig, australian wine.

Jet set to Plettenberg Bay ( on the Garden Route)

Pletterberg Bay - Where Alan lived.....Alan is my Accountant in Addis who bought this vacation beach house in Pletteburg bay. Alan picked me up, although I met a guy on the plane who wanted to drive me to plett, also met anothet guy who leaves in rio but from NY. Sounds like a vaction town I said, everone in the mood and friendly ok!.

So Alan drove thru and we met his son. aka T, wow he is good looking, I said, the kind u fall for in as a summer love. Alan's beach house is no like other I have seen. Beautiful wooden smells fresh with its new pain.... Went to my room on 3rd floor next to the salon and across T's room ... went to dinner@ Enrico's just down the street driving distance ....owner as warned Italian but all over me ..as he will for any new legs, cute too I saw those wondering eyes, first time I walked in anyway.. Next day, waking up was great as Alan left a note under my room great handwriting saying where coffee was. Later, we went to Plettenburg hotel wow a French Relais Chateaux collection magnificent view @lookout beach on deck bar with Alan & Son now band playing one of SA's top bands Parlotones Evolver Quevero promotion great scenery sterega digestive torrone desert candy almond hard new guard amaro digestive; went and signed up w GYM great place excellent equip technology, certainly upgraded its machines upto par w cybertech.

Few days later, met Phill (fellow I met in Joburg) and brother, all cute, said they were kayaking 4 last 2 days. Talked of catching up later spent literally 3 hours @ Gym 1 hr card rest exhausting the machines went shopping @ beach shop I eyed yesterday bought a lot of cute stuff shorts flip flops tops hats purses all with it..found something to wear at NY I said all beachwear on beach right?
Went and sat down at coffee shop passed by tattoo table and had a chat with the artist who welcomed me to the various designs after fliping thru told her will come back after shower. Noticed she did not have machine on her table so I commented that she must not take credit card, as we could have had a chance to tattoo ourselves all over our bodies... Then I went & sat down at what looks like the upmarket coffee shop ordered cafe late as everyone watch ed and read my Brazil advertised gym wear including the owner who came & greeted me and asked if all is ok as he stared at my chest where Brazil is advertized..sure he must think am from there.. noticed local families I belive kiss on the mouth .

Jeffreys Bay town 150 east of plett best surf billabong first blk language is called xhosa mandela's language am like an octopus feel everyone had mix of drinks @ chris's & Jeanne the developer that did the beach property he made us a watermelon w orange juice and vodka neighbours came chardonnay Danie de wet a Robertson the De Wetshof Bateleur 2003 @ Fu.shi fusion w sushi xmad inner @ chris bessrotti import export plastic recyclers talking about me good at finding my Queenie spot of power a moving power pp listen to katie melua - Piece by piece I cried 4 u ; Ara & Nel owners of upper deck; went to the Polo event did I learn I had caused a commotion in the upper crest society... will not go deep into it..leave it for one's imagination... I played my part as an actress in a movie...

Next day, at jhb airport, I arrived well chatting lovely with a man who was picking up his daughter flying from sydney to meet her whole family in George, after walking thru the new airport construction to the intl airport check in I got on board almost missing the plane as I was too busy shopping. And off I went to singapore...via singapore air... it is like being in my livingroom , except I have over 3 people catering to me... heaven. Yes, it is business class! Cheers!