Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

SuperClubs' Sue McManus holds on to every word of attorney Chris Bovell (left) with a very distracted Canadian High Commissioner, Denis Kingsley, at the Brazil National Day reception, held at Carmel Terrace, Cherry Gardens. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Whenever there are many cars parked along the soft shoulders of Carmel Terrace, it usually means the Brazilian ambassador is throwing a reception.

And so it was last Friday when Ambassador Cezar Amaral and wife, Lidia, hosted another soiree to celebrate their country's independence. The year 2007 has been a special one for the couple. Among the notable events was the ambassador being appointed the dean of the local Diplomatic Corps after the retirement of St. Kitts and Nevis High Commissioner Cedric Harper. He then hosted the president of his homeland's biggest ethanol producer. And the final piece had to be the visit of Brazilian President Inacio Lula Da Silva. So why not throw a National Day reception to boot?

The ambassador, never one for long speeches, gave a brief history of his country's fight for independence. He spoke of the continued efforts to forge business ties with Jamaica in areas of ethanol, sugar cane and tropical agriculture. He also related his government's assistance post-Hurricane Dean. But this was really an evening for drinking caipirinha, a traditional Brazilian drink, known to, ahem, put you in high spirits. But there was no blurry vision as guests lymed by the poolside during the evening as the cool breeze cascaded from Cherry Gardens hills.

In attendance

Those out to celebrate included: Chilean Ambassador Alfonso Silva, Ed and Rose Wehrli, Cuban Ambassador Gisela Garcia and husband Jorge Crespo, Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda, head of European Union, Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni, American Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson, Japanese Ambassador Masahiro Obata and wife Hiroko, French Ambassador Francis Hurtut, Russian Ambassador Victor Zotin, British High Commissioner Jeremy Cresswell, Colombian Ambassador Dr. Ventura Emilio Diaz Mejia, Venezuelan Ambassador Noel Martinez, Maria Friedrich-Boerger, Madai Hernandez and Marcelo Hernandez. Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva, Chinese Ambassador Chen Jinghua and wife Xiao Linhua, Argentine Ambassador Mario Pino and wife Fanny, Bertrand Bainvel, Ambassador Richard Bernal and wife Margaret, Shorna-Kaye Richards, Thalia and Michael Lyn, Hugh and Ouida Dunphy, Ada and Jorge Morales, Zahra Orane, Odette and Robbie Epstein, Laura and Dhiru Tanna, Ruth and Laurie Hussey, Heather Blanco, Marcia Gallow, Jacqui Nielsen, Al Edwards, Lincoln and Barbara Robinson and Dr. Cezly Sampson. All had a grand ole time.

Brazilian Ambassador Cezar Amaral (left) laughs heartily with Tony and Dawn Griffiths at his National Day reception.

President of the World Federation of Consuls, Arnold Foote (left), chats with Ed Wehrli of the American Embassy.

Suzanna Gregory (left) definitely has a point to make to Kaydeanne Mairs (centre) and Cleuza Thompson.

Having a good time at the Brazil National Day reception are Cherie Thompson (left) and Venice Edwards.

Patricia Foote (right) has the attention of Sara Silva.

Happy birthday, Brazil

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