رفاهية لملكة وحبيبات

2006-11-03T13:36:00.000-08:00

What opinion and aesthetic do the Catholic Church, Marie Antoinette, Lolita-chan from Shimotsuma Monogatari, the citizens of central Beirut and I hold in common? The bigger the wig and the more gold it has- the better it is. Quelle decadence!

W

2006-09-18T05:11:00.000-07:00

Second in our "Toilets of the World" series.

This one comes from what used to be the luxurious Tehran Hilton.

These days it's known as the Parsian Esteghlal Grand Hotel.
Note the paper "seal" over the toilet seat.
Funny thing that, as one can often find a hidden surprise in the toilet after "breaking" the seal.

Khodafez!
jp

2006-08-12T12:50:00.000-07:00

The Beirut of Western Europe, or atleast thats how my camera describes Paris. 可愛い !

Hmmm... seems like a pain to fly to or from any US airport or London Heathrow now, can't even take a bottle of water on board a plane. Best avoided. Anyway Taiwan is the thing this month. Yummy pearl tea!

By the way, what am I supposed to do with almost 200 Euros worth of SNCF gift certificates. I cancelled a trip recently and they didn't refund me on my VISA card, instead I got these train coupons! Waste...

Oh and blogspot is crap... should change really, but is it worth it really?

W

2006-07-27T10:28:00.000-07:00

Flying Super Kitties!
Does anyone else see
the resemblance?

And....

for dessert I give
you a picture of Haifa
as mentioned in the
previous post...

Écoute! The link to her
habibi- rocking song
"Ya Hayat Albi" should
still be on somewhere
in this blog.

Bises les habibis!!!
W

2006-07-25T12:54:00.000-07:00

To add to the last post... Maybe Hezbollah never meant to hit Haifa, Israel... Maybe they were aiming at Haifa Wehbe. After all, her breast and nipple revealing outfits (not included on this page- go search for them youself) may not go too well with Islamic fundementalists. Let's say she is the Koda Kumi of the Middle East- with a lot more of the "ero," yet still the same amount of "kawaii" : )

Of course I am kidding about the above- but to put it more seriously, im not very happy with Hezbollah. Thanks to their kidnappings, Israel has gone nuts and these two groups: Hezbollah, Iran and Syria vs. Israel, are using Lebanon as a battlefield.

That reminds me- a big habibi hello to Yusaku, who is at present in Damascus learning to speak Arabic, not the Frarabic (my word for a mix of Arabic and French) that they speak (or atleast spoke before the last week) in Beirut. Must be a bit wierd being there.

Patchi,
W

2006-07-19T10:19:00.000-07:00

The Paris of the Middle east is in chaos again. Poor Beirut. Poor Lebanon :( Beirut is like one of the main centres of contemporary arab culture, and perhaps the most liberal city in the arab world, and they worked so hard to make it fantastic after the loooong war which basically destroyed Beirut completely. Nancy Ajram is so upset, understandably, that she as cancelled all her shows!

2006-07-07T13:44:00.000-07:00

This is what summer in Helsinki, Finland looks like- well at the moment atleast. They are everywhere. Everyone is eating them... always. Yummy.

W

2006-07-05T15:03:00.000-07:00

This isn't exaclty a toilet- well it depends how you use the word I suppose. I present an executive room water closet at the JW Marriot which my chauffeur told me is, along with the Taj and Oberoi, amongst the most luxurious hotels in Mumbai, India. Although it doesn't appear so, the bathroom is surprisingly spacious and is really three seperate rooms. However, in keeping with Bollywood glamour, its tacky, dated and overdone- gold and silver is everywhere- fantastic for maharajas and Sikh buisness men. The whole hotel was decorated for some glamorous Bollywood event and outside the walls is surrounded by a sea poverty. Mumbai is a bit of a toilet to be honest (and not the kind depicted in the picture- by toilet I mean polluted dump) and in desperate need of the redistribution of wealth.

W

2006-06-23T13:57:00.000-07:00

Something none of us really like, but are an essential part of our daily routine as human beings, if we are to function properly, at least bowel-wise.

The toilet.

First in a series, “Toilets of the World” will focus on bringing you what some of the world’s best hotels have to offer in that department.

This one comes to you from the Paris of the Middle East, our beloved Beirut.

The five star Gefinor Rotana pleasantly surprises its guests by having rose petals floating in it.

2006-06-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

Pissoire du luxe.

Nothing else to write about is there? No W&G, no QAF, no DH (although atleast with this one we can look forward to season 3), S&C was over like a zillion years ago- what the hell can one write about?

W

2006-06-10T08:02:00.000-07:00

So Ebizo Ichikawa XI is amazing. Just saw two plays in London, Fuji Musume, which if you know Kabuki, is a hengemono, and Kasane, a dance drama. Ebizo (of Narita-ya) did well in the role of the dancing Wisteria Maiden, I think, although not comparable to the likes of Bando Tamasamburo V who is really perfect in his onnagata roles. But then again Ebizo is often the only actor that young Japanese people know, just cause he was on TV shows and shit. He should get married to princess Koda Kumi (or Ken Hirai) and have beautiful children.

In Kasane, Ebizo was really intense (and nasty) as the villainous Yoemon, but personally I think was outshone by Kamejiro II (who apparently is Ennosuke III's nephew- only knew that yesterday) who played his lover Kasane. Kamejiro was particularily good as Kasane's possessed ghost, drawing Yoemon back with her possessed hand- the only moving part of her body- after he had killed her on the banks of the river. I mean he did kill her and was nasty about her face, he practically said busu wa usero... or something! then she got all nasty on his ass. Not very kawaiiiiiiii, very tragic and creepy.

Of course my favorite thing about Kabuki is... well everything. Things just come together to make a whole and its irresistable, although some people in London seem to find it tedious- dozing off- how shaming! I'd like to see one of Yukio Mishima's Kabuki plays- but they are pretty rare, even in Japan, I think... kanashii, but whatever.

W

2006-06-08T05:04:00.000-07:00

Why don't people believe me when I say that Oprah has moved to Beirut? Apart from the fact its not true, it totally happened.
She went there to shop, and to sew the seeds of peace in the Middle East.

W

2006-06-02T03:51:00.001-07:00

Oooo, it shines!

Everyone should have one of these- a Nancy Azam clock, or to be precise, an 'Auto Muslim Azan Clock with Qibla Directions'. Yes, it has Qibla directions, prayer times for over 400 cities, and when its time to roll out your prayer rug, it sings 'Allah Akbar' in an operatic voice. This particular model (bought in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia and made in a sweatshop in Forced Labour Camp No.167 , China) comes in this classy silver, or for those who want to be truly decadent, is also available in 'champagne' colour- i.e. faux gold, so everyone can see how fabulous and rich you are, the favorite in Beirut of course. And if like me, you don't pray five times a day, you can just use it as a tacky digital clock.

W

2006-05-30T05:08:00.001-07:00

L'étoile exotique du Liban

Tout le monde à Beyrouth parle de quelque'un. Qui est-elle tu demande? Je ne sais pas... mais elle est problablement la superstar international Silvia Night, l'étoile du Liban et favori de le magazine fabuleux 'Prestige.' Malheureusment elle n'as pas gagner la Concours Eurovision de la Chanson parce que les membres de l'audience étaient des "ungrateful bastards." Dommage. Mais l'histoire complète n'est pas une tragédie, la superstar international a acheté une petite village sur une île dans l'Océan Pacifique qui s'apelle Reykjyavik, et va reconstruire la Palais-Royal Pahlavi du Tehran sur le site pour sa divertissement.

Et dans le monde réel, la musique d'aujourd'hui est une fabuleux chanson classique (it is from 2003 after all) Libanaise- Nancy Ajram: Yay (Sehr Oyouno)

W

2006-05-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

Buy it.

W

2006-05-14T08:51:00.000-07:00

“My daughter's a slut, my
husband's a pervert and my
son's gay — perfect”

Desperate Habibs: Like Bree's like a western habibi-lady you know?

Things are really brewing up on Wisteria Lane. Lovely and fabulous Bree finally disowned her homo-brat son. We truly feel sorry for Bree having such a satanic son- but atleast now that Andrew did the dirty with Peter, the latter should also be out of her life, what a relief. Such a shame though, Andrew and Justin made a cute habibi couple, if only Andrew weren't so nasty to his mama. Oh and Edie is fantastic, always so honest, just wait till the next episode and you'll see. We leave you with dead-lady Mary Alice Young's concluding words of wisdom from the previous episode. If anyone understands a word of what she is saying (or ever does), please comment, because to us it reads 'blablabla':

There is a prayer intended to give strength to people faced with circumstances they don’t want to accept. The power of the prayer comes from its insight into human nature, because so many of us rage against the hand that life has dealt us… because so many of us are cowardly and afraid to stand up for what is right, because so many of us give into despair when faced with an impossible choice. The good news for those who utter these words are that god will answer your prayer, the bad news is that sometimes the answer is 'no'..."

W

2006-05-13T06:26:00.000-07:00

OK- So I strolled into a leading UK food store yesterday in central London to buy San Pellegrino. And alas, they had none, and I just have a tiny bit left (note picture)!! What am I supposed to wash my hair with today, Evian just won't do??!!

W

2006-05-11T03:30:00.000-07:00

Glamour Kills.

W

2006-05-10T07:32:00.000-07:00

This blog is just SO political, isn't it? This blog does seem to love the Great Leaders- but to be honest, communists and fascists should just get out of my face and be replaced by constitutional monarchies. I mean you still have to have someone whose face you can put on the coins and notes right?

Moving on to more important things, hoping to soon have pictures posted from a trip to Tehran of the Pahlavi "house" and Pahlavi-related memorabilia, mais on va voir... Oooo, we should set up a shop in Shinjuku and sell imported Iranian and Middle Eastern curious to the human masses which swamp the busy station. Best place for this kind of crap. As a girl, who had never left Tokyo, honestly (and seriously) once said: "Tokyo no shuto wa shinjuku desu."

W

2006-05-07T07:07:00.000-07:00

Alors, have recently been exploring the glories of the land of the Ottomans, to come back with fond memories of a country of extremely hospitable, warm and welcoming people, fantastic cafés, glorious food and Yeni Raki. She was indeed thoroughly impressed.
Turkey is definitely worth a visit, if only for the glories of Istanbul. Yet it has so much more to offer, even if you're only spending a day walking around the streets of the nation's capital, so famously put on the map in the 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic as we know it today, when he proclaimed the then provincial town of 30,000 inhabitants, to be the capital of the new republic. Since then Ankara has grown into a thriving political hub, with a population of over 4.3million. Atatürk was indeed a great visionary.
The site is a fan of Great Leaders, be they totalitarian monarchs à la Reza Shah Pahlavi, or reformers of a ruined-empire-turned-into-Europe's-fastest-growing-economy.
This is why today is dedicated to Mustafa Kemal, more commonly known as Atatürk, or father of Turks. A great visionary of his time and to which a grand monument stands in his nation's capital, the grandiose Anitkabir (Atatürk's Mausoleum, see below).

In a way you could also say that the various outlets of fabulous Turkish boutiques and department stores such as Vakko, Beymen and Ipekyol are just as good a living monument to his vision, Vakko even produce their own gorgeous chocolate. Now, that's something we love.

To coin a phrase currently being used by Turkish Airlines in their fabulous new ad campaign, Turkey is indeed your magical gateway to the world.

Yakhshamlar!

- Jean-Pierre

2006-05-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

Salut les habibis!

Jean-Pierre was recently on a grand tour of the heart-lands of the glorious former Ottoman Empire. How was it? Well naturally we would all love to know. And me? Hoping to escape the heat to the habibi summer retreat. Where is this place you ask? Mais c'est Gèneve bien sûr! Where else?! Geneva is a place where truly everyone should at least visit once a year- or preferably live there, as Jean-Pierre and I have for a number of years. Sorry for the not-so-great picture- I'm bad with night photography. Anyhoo, from June till August the population of Geneva becomes strangely dominated by the wealthy and extravagant Middle Eastern and Saudi clique who seem to buy enough diamond encrusted watches in these three months to bypass the combined annual budget of every government in South America. At this time of year one tends to read in crappy little papers like Le Matin about how the King of Saudi Arabia closed a whole hospital to have an eye fixed or how the Bin Ladens have once again purchased another mansion on the lake- perhaps next to Kim Jong Il's summer "cottage"- which he has yet to visit. Yes, summers in Geneva are gorgeous and luxurious. The only question is where did all the little Swiss people go?

Wilhelm

2006-05-01T04:21:00.000-07:00

Habibis know how to party.
Dancing on tables when Haifa's "Ya Hayat Albi" comes on is part of that, and absolutely mandatory.
This is why Haifa's sexy track is this week's tune.

- Jean-Pierre

2006-04-30T09:43:00.000-07:00

Dearest readers,

After a long day's imaginary running (well driving actually) around the Rive Gauche looking for shoes I am hardly in a fit state to write this inaugural post. Yet since tomorrow is May Day (aka Worker's Day or Labour Day) I thought it would be both necessary and timely to launch this blog as a counter balance to all that nonesense. So if you like lovely things, travel, luxury, Ramy Ayach and deposed monarchs, read on.

NOTE: DO NOT BE FOOLED, as I was- it is still perfectly acceptable to wear white after tomorrow, apparantly the settlers in the American colonies chose a different date to celebrate labour.

I would like to use this moment to remind everyone about someone special. Nancy Ajram you ask? No, you will be reminded about her later no doubt. Let us take a moment to remember none other than Her Imperial Majesty, Farah Pahlavi (pictured above). Although "Luxury for Habibi" refrains to comment on the late Shah, we most certainly don't on the empress. She single handedly liberated the woman of Persia (now unfortunately renamed Iran) from repression and caused the arts to flourish- how many empresses of muslim nations collected Warhol and Hockney I ask you? So let's remember the imperial habibi on this May Day and follow her example. What do you think she will be doing? Waving red flags on the street in a pair of ugly Soviet trousers? Perhaps assassinating members of the Austro-hungarian royal family with a rusty pistol? Or will HIM be sitting next to a pool, sipping champagne in the Pahlavi Cairo palace while having a facial? You're guess is as good as mine...
-Wilhelm