Clift, San Francisco’s most daring and deluxe hotel and home to Asia de Cuba restaurant and Redwood Room bar, is offering 9/9/09 specials exclusive to Bay Area Residents. The limited-time offers, which include lodging, dining, and drinking, are the perfect end to summer, allowing Bay Area dwellers the chance to relax in luxury at the start of San Francisco’s famous Indian Summer for rates that won’t break the bank.
1) Lodging offers: 9-9-09 Special Room Rates for Bay Area Residents:
Guestrooms $99
Superior guestrooms $149
Deluxe guestrooms $199
• Valid Sept 7 – 9
• Must provide proof that you are a resident of one of the nine Bay Area counties
• Based upon availability
To book, call 415.775.4700 (These rates are by phone only – not on the website)
Private Apartment from $999 Valid September 1 – 9, 2009 Based upon availability
2) Dining offer: Asia de Cuba restaurant is offering a $9 entree with purchase of one entree at regular price (guest pays for higher priced entrée). Valid Sept 9, 2009 only; one offer per table. To reserve, call 415.929.2300.
Asia de Cuba by renowned restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow, features Asian meets Latin sharing cuisine. Appointments such as hand-blown Venetian Murano glass vases, full-height arched windows, lush, redwood-toned velvet curtains and mahogany and leather banquettes create an atmosphere of warmth and intimacy. The dining room’s piece de resistance is its centerpiece, a breathtaking cross-shaped communal dining table made of hand-etched illuminated mirror.
3) Cocktail offer:
The Redwood Room is offering a $9 Mojito (valid September 9, 2009 only, during hours of operation)
Since opening in 1933, Redwood Room has become a landmark in the hearts and minds of San Franciscans and earned a reputation as one of the most stylish bars in the world. Legend has it that the enormous bar was made from the redwood burl of a single giant tree, though it is now finished with a hand-etched Venetian mirror. The elegant and modern space maintains the historic glamour of the original bar.
AKA Brisas Chicas y Margaritas,’ a Bilingual Girlfriend Getaway Facebook campaign is aimed at both giving away a trip to four friends as well as raising funds for Fondo Para La Paz, a group that helps rural communities in remote parts of Mexico.
The contest invites U.S. residents over 21 to upload a photo of an item that best describes what friendship means to them, along with a description no longer than 140 characters long of why they chose that image.
Brisas Hotels & Resorts will donate $2,000 to Fondo Para La Paz once the Fan Page reaches 2,000 fans. The contest runs until September 17th, 2009 and the winner will be announced on September 30th, 2009.
That equals a 1 in 2000 chance to win- great odds- and if you collaborate with 3 friends – that is 4 in 2000 chances to win – even better odds!
“Brisas Hotels & Resorts is honored to be able to celebrate the strong ties of friendship with the Brisas Chicas y Margaritas’ campaign,” states Pilar Arizmendi, U.S. spokesperson for Brisas Hotels & Resorts.
“With this campaign we aim at impacting the lives of others by inspiring women across the nation to come together to celebrate friendship – while at the same time helping those in need.”
o Be 21 years or older and a U.S. resident
o Have a Facebook Profile
o Become a Fan of Brisas Hotels & Resorts
o Choose one unique, creative item that best represents the meaning of friendship to you
o Post a picture of this item and write a description of 140 characters or less – in English, Spanish or Spanglish
Judging will be made by the Brisas Hotels & Resorts Team based on creativity. The winner, who will be notified via a message to their Facebook email, can travel with her three girlfriends between October 1st and December 15th, 2009.
Winner receives:
3 days – 2 night stay for four people (participant + three girlfriends) at one of 4 Brisas Hotels & Resorts beach properties
4 airline tickets to the destination courtesy of AeroMexico
Brisas Pool Side Welcome Margaritas upon arrival to celebrate their friendship
Las Brisas Acapulco, Las Brisas Ixtapa and its restaurant Portofino, as well as Las Hadas in Manzanillo including its restaurant Legazpi are all winners of the 2009 AAA Four Diamond Award. For reservations please visit www.brisas.com.mx or call (888) 599-4329. For group sales please call: 1-866-RELAX-MX / or 1-866-735-2969.
I’m a big fan of the symbology of dates and occurrences. One year ago to the date, I left Madrid to begin my journey back to San Francisco. Today, I’m leaving Madrid again to start a new journey… my 5 week hike through Northern Spain along the Camino Francés route of the Camino de Santiago.
Originally I had planned on begining my Camino from the tradional starting point of St. Jean Pied de Port, in Southern France. Then after realizing the difficulty in getting there, I decided on Roncesvalles, about 10km into Spain. Then after even more thought, I decided I could still give myself a big pat on the back if I started at Pamplona.
I arrived in Pamplona from Madrid by way of bus (Avenida de Americas). Six hours and one bus change later, I made it to Pamplona. It wasn’t the worst bus ride ever (Madrid to Barcelona via bus = neverrrrr again!), but it certainly wasn’t much fun.
I spent the rest of the day wandering around Pamplona and I think I’ve fallen a little in love with this town. The residents are very fashionable and hospitable. However there seems to be a disportionate amount of children with mullets. I will definitely need to re-visit soon to discover more.
I stayed at the Jesus y Maria Pilgrim hostal and shared sleeping space with about 150 other pilgrims. Everything was very communal and it was great to hear everyones’ stories along the trail and know that tomorrow, I would have my own Camino stories to share.
Tomorrow, I start walking.
The plan is to walk from Pamplona to Puente de la Reina, some 24km. My dream of completing the Camino de Santiago is finally coming true. Santiago de Compostela… here I come!
Please help teen mothers with AIDS in Lima by donating.
J-Pop has arrived in San Francisco. Japan Town has become a destination for more than Sundance Theaters and noodles. This three story retail fairyland takes shopping to new heights. The lobby lures you into the ticket line for Japanese films you won’t find anywhere else.
There is a cafe featuring Blue Bottle coffee. Walk up to the retail store/ museum display of really cool products you mostly have no idea what they are. I still haven’t figured out what the plug in steaming thing is. Bought a great gift set of tape. Buy anything, the packaging itself is great.
Walk up another flight to The Super Frog gallery, currently open by appointment only. The top floor is the ultimate retail entertainment. Off the kitsch meter for sure. The above photo is a glimps of 6%DOKIDOKI. The look is sort of Japanese Betsy Johnson meets Lolita wanna be. The other stores do not allow photography.
The fashions are all high end, running from a take-off on the traditional “tabi” shoes by Sou Sou to the Baby Goth look of Black Peace Now. At least i could afford the cute lace trimmed socks at Baby the Stars Shine Bright. New People is an entertainment emporium, retail heaven, museum, film theater, basically an all out cultural explosion.
Anthropologists will be studying it for years. Be there now.
NEW PEOPLE is located at
1746 Post St,
San Francisco, CA 94115
info@newpeopleworld.com www.newpeopleworld.com
Public Holiday Closures:
- New Year’s Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
Business Hours: VIZ Cinema
Mon.-Fri. 2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Sat.-Sun. 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Cafe
Open daily. 10:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
NEW PEOPLE the Store
Mon.-Fri. 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sat.-Sun. 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
As I have mentioned in my blog before, I have taken my show on the road! I have moved back to Madrid, Spain and will continue to write for Tango Diva from Spanish soil.
Returning to live in Spain is what I have always wanted. It is not a question of anti-patriotism; it’s a matter of lifestyle and taste.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time back home in San Francisco— working for Tango Diva reading, editing and moderating all your exciting tales of solo travel and accomplished goals.
Now it’s my time.
The very first adventure I am going to accomplish when I arrive in Spain is hike the 500 mile El Camino de Santiago – about 5 weeks. As my friends and family can tell you, it’s been a dream of mine to do so for many years.
Now, I finally get to achieve my dream-on a travel writing assignment no less. However, I’m not content to merely hike it, then write a one-dimensional narrative of my experience. How do you sum up the epic-ness of a 500 mile, 1000+ year old pilgrimage and being all alone on the open road in just ONE article?
I plan to revolutionize the way people experience the trail both in person and online. This may be a centuries old tradition, but I see no reason not to bring it into the 21st century-plugged in. Thanks to the modern marvels of twitter, YouTube, FLIP digital camcorder and the Sony VAIO P, I will be live-blogging, tweeting and posting videos daily from the trail—all the while connecting with locals and sharing other pilgrims’ experiences. It will be as if you are right there on the trail with me! I hope to inspire countless individuals to someday take to this path on their own or to accomplish their own life-long goal.
I also hope to raise funds and awareness for VIDA USA through my actions. In addition to shipping medical supplies to desperate hospitals throughout Latin America, VIDA USA is doing amazing work helping teen mothers infected with HIV in Lima, Peru by preventing the spread of HIV to their newborn.
HIV and AIDS assistance/research is something that I feel very passionate about. I will be counting on my network of friends and readers to spread the word of what I am achieving so even more people can discover my hike, and therefore VIDA USA, to possibly contribute to the cause.
The goal is to arrive in Santiago de Compostela on October 5th, my birthday. I can think of no greater gift to myself than to accomplish such a feat, all the while raising awareness and funds for VIDA USA.
Job role:Your role will be to travel the length of New Zealand, meeting with our suppliers, clients and the occasional possum and promoting Entirely Kiwi to the world through any means possible, and telling everyone exactly why New Zealand is the best country in the world – beyond the obvious fact that it is.
“Oh you, who are the future of our beloved country, come out to the streets and fight for your freedom.
What is the risk of coming out? Be willing to sacrifice your life for your country.
Don’t be intimidated if fire is pouring out of the sky.
Don’t hesitate, if out there swords are being poured out from the sky, put your hearts forward as guards.
I’m embarrassed and surprised by your patience.
For how much longer are you going to tolerate this?
Don’t leave your country to destiny. Don’t be careless with your country.
Be responsible.
Be the one who takes the action.
First raise your fist. Then raise your fist higher up…”
These are the words to a video that my friends produced in Iran for the election. They wrote this song before the election and it became the anthem for FREEDOM.
Here is the FIRST video. The second video is of the riots on the street after the election. I will try to get a copy to show you next week.
What: Shams Ensemble presents “Voices of Freedom”
When: Sunday, September 27th, 2009 @ 7 pm
Where: Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA
Steppin’ Out Adventures is offering a really cool trip to Tanzania for solo travelers – this is the last time this trip will be offered as a solo, before it becomes one of their family tours. It’s ten days, from October 26 through November 4, and includes an absolutely incredible range of activities: game viewing in the Serengeti, a spa day in Ngorongoro, hiking, biking, visiting with members of the Hadzabe tribe and a lot more. There’s also an option to add in a climb to Mt. Kilimanjaro before or after the trip itself. This is an amazing opportunity to see a unique part of East Africa with a small group of likeminded people – check out this detailed intinerary and see just what it has to offer. Don’t forget to check the main website for all of Steppin’ Out’s current trips – they always have tons, to an incredibly diverse range of places. And for a hilarious and fascinating look at one Diva’s experience in Tanzania, read Kelly Patterson’s essay here.
Anse Chastanet Resort on beautiful St. Lucia is offering a great deal for a last-minute Caribbean getaway. The daily rates start at $300 for two in a standard room – if you book one night at that price, you’ll receive one night free. But be quick – the offer is only valid for travel from August 22- September 30; you can book it by phone at 800 223 1108 or by emailing ansechastanet@candw.lc. The resort is on 600 acres and features a full spa, a scuba center, two restaurants, and access to great hiking trails and spectacular coral reefs. Sounds pretty fabulous – and for even more on St. Lucia, make sure to check out Shannon Connell’s great essay on her island adventure!
2) Dining offer:
