Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
From left: Angela Pena, Rosa Garcia and Marlene Abreu glow despite the blackout at the reception.
Sometimes you just have to be patient. That's what guests at the Dominican Republic national day reception realised on Monday, as a power outage greeted many of them to what was promised to be an exciting affair. But alas, the dark threatened to temper all that, as sections of Norbrook were without power.
Guests mingled by candlelight and even showed their national pride (and singing skills) in singing both anthems (Dominican Republic and Jamaica) instead of having them played.
Pablo's owner, Dominican Republic-born Rosa Joseph, provided the beautiful red, white and blue-themed decor.
Let there be light
But, at around 8:45 p.m., the evening going slowly by, voila! Let there be light! With the electricity back on, the sound system could be cranked up and the salsa and meringue party which had been planned was soon in full flow.
Guests who were before somewhat stoic now found their rhythm. To cap off the evening, Dominican Republic dancers, based on the north coast, put on quite a show of meringue and other sexy Latin steps for the guests who had stuck around 'til late in the night for the festivities. Things didn't seem to turn out so badly.
The lavish buffet was prepared by members of the Dominican community now residing in Jamaica. Guests out included Belgian Ambassador Herman Portocarero, French Ambassador Francis Hurtut, head of the European Union delegation in Jamaica, Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni and wife Fiela, Honduran Ambassador Jose Eduardo Norris, German Ambassador Jurgen Engel and wife Ana Martha, Panamanian Ambassador Ricardo Moreno, Haitian charge d'affaires Max Alce, Rosa Joseph, Johnny and Ifraida Santana, Madai and Marcelo Hernandez, Ramon and Deidre Corvera, Ambassador Maxine Roberts and sister Valerie, William Lampert and Anna Kaiser and Annie Lopez.
The smiling pair of Joelle Goudie (left) and Benja Bunpuckee were out.
Laritza Ruiz enjoying some fine wine.
Dominican-born Elena Dabdoub (left), mother of politician Abe Dabdoub, chats with countrywoman and Pablo's owner Rosa Joseph.
Seņoritas, como estan? Melixa Diaz (left) and Aurora Navarro in traditional dress at the Dominican Republic ambassador's national day reception, at Hacienda Way, Norbrook, on Monday night. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
