Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Huddling up for a farewell photo is soon-to-depart Costa Rican Ambassador Nidia Sandoval Arce (seated, left) and colleagues from Latin American and Caribbean countries at the reception hosted by the Ambassaor of the Dominican Republic Filomena Navarro (seated centre), at her Norbrook home last Tuesday. Seated to their right is Ecuadorian Consul Clelia Barreto De Hunter. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

Even if you didn't know Nidia Sandoval Arce, in the diplomatic circles, she was always a favourite.

The Costa Rican ambassador was especially popular among her Latin American and Caribbean colleagues and once a few of them learned of her impending departure, they had to throw an evening lyme to see her off.

Hosted by Dominican Republic Ambassador Filomena Navarro last Tuesday, members of the small gathering took their time to wish Arce well as she heads back to Costa Rica to take up a directoral position in her country's foreign ministry.

good treatment

Chatting with The Gleaner, with Ambassador Navarro translating, the ambassador said she was pleased to have helped to facilitate better cooperation between the countries and to have started a deal for the agriculture sector.

Even though she was only posted here for a little more than a year, Ambassador Arce said she would miss the Jamaican people and the good treatment she had received. She said Jamaica was a promising country and even added that her favourite local dish was ackee and saltfish.

Guests out included: Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva, Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner Yvonne Gittens-Joseph, Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda, Argentine Ambassador Mario Pino, Colombian Ambassador Ventura Emilio Diaz Mejia, Jorge Crespo and Guillermo Hernandez.