Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
Cindy Breakspeare reminds us why she was Miss World at the National Chile Day reception held at 4 Millsborough Close, St Andrew, last Thursday.
My dears, there are national day celebrations and there are national day celebrations!
Some are a delight to share in, others a task of endurance. And usually, my dears, the difference lies in the attitude of the host(s). When it comes to attitude, sweet-things, none comes better than the peoples of South and Central America.
Well, one South American country that Jamaica has shared more than a passing affinity with over the years has been Chile. From the heady days of the Cold War and the political turmoil and instability that period engendered, Jamaica became a pro-active nation in the geo-politicking of the day, and found political friends and support in many non-traditional quarters.
One of the nations with which there was a bridging of the geographical divide from the turbulence of the 1970s is Chile. A nation of fervour and passion, not unlike Jamaica, Chile has been through its political and social changes over the decades.
Well, last Thursday, Chileans everywhere celebrated the 198th anniversary of its independence. Here in Jamaica, the celebrations were naturally hosted by Chile's first citizens here, Ambassador Alfredo Garcia and wife, Luz Santamaria, along with his deputy, Diego Avaria and his wife, Melissa.
lazy evening
Hosted at the official residence of the ambassador, in the very upscale neighbourhood of Millsborough, St Andrew, the reception was really a study in charm and the understated. The official residence is really an imposing property, designed to facilitate and accommodate regal living, grand receptions, and great parties. Well my dears, from the very first moment, there was no mistaking that the proceedings, would have been a celebration of the fabulous order.
We are talking a very fine and relaxed evening as guests gathered at the poolside, for what proved a most charming and very entertaining evening, with old friends greeting each other; new acquaintances made - all under the banner and understanding of friendship and conviviality. Kingston's finest wait staff saw to it with unnerving efficiency and dispatch. Guests were treated to libation of their choice upon arrival and throughout the lazy evening.
There was an air of warmth and intimacy about the proceedings that made it memorable. And to make it even more so, Ambassador Alfredo Garcia proved to be a truly gracious host, as evidenced in his speech to mark the occasion, in which he not only heaped praises on Jamaica and its athletes for their record-breaking feats in Beijing, China. He also proved a master raconteur. Deputy Foreign Minister Senator Dr Ronald Robinson gave the response on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica. And no grandstanding here, just warm felicitations and expressions of continued goodwill and prosperity to the Government and people of Chile.
And then there was dinner. Dears, the absolutely lovely Anna-Kay Ziadie Lazarus did the catering honours and we are talking a mouth-watering, and oh-so-satisfying spread.
notables
Among the notables spotted were Security Minister Colonel Trevor MacMillan and wife, Dr Olivia McDonald; Trade Minister Karl Samuda; Dennis Lalor; Kenny Benjamin; Earl Levy and wife, the elegant Beverly Junor Levy; Anthony and Jeanne Watson; Dr Adolfo Mena; Director of Protocol Ricardo Allicock; Ambassador Dr Matthew Beaubrun; Ambassador Richard and Margaret Bernal; Ambassador Lorne McDonnough; Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, Courtenay Rattary; Contractor General Greg Christie and wife, the lovely Jan Christie.
Also out were head of the EU Delegation Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni and Fiela Mazzocchi-Alemanni; British High Commissioner Jeremy Cresswell and his companion Dr Barbara Munske; Japanese Ambassador Masahiro Obata and wife, Kinuko Obata; Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva; German Ambassador Jurgen Engel; Ambassador Dr Nafissatou Diagne of Senegal; Ambassador José Eduardo Norris of Honduras, who was celebrating his birthday; Indian High Commissioner Mohinder Grover; new Belgian Ambassador Frédéric Meurice and his fabulous Congolese wife, Lydie Meurice, plus new French Ambassador Marc-Olivier Genrey.
Other guests were: Ambassador Noel Martinez-Ochoa of Venezuela; Ventura E D'az Mejia, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia; Ambassador Mario Pino of Argentina; Ambassador Gisela Garcia Rivera of Cuba and her husband Jorge Crespo; Panamanian Ambassador Ricardo Moreno; Ambassador Filomena Navarro of the Dominican Republic; Deputy Chief of Mission, Venezuelan Embassy Madai Hernandez and husband, Marcelo Munoz; Deputy Head of the International Seabed Authority Nii Allotey Odunton; USAID Director Dr Karen Hilliard; Honorary Consul of the Royal Thai Kingdom and social empress Thalia Lyn and hubby, Capt Michael Lyn; Honorary Consul of Lithuania Lois Lake-Sherwood; Honorary Consul of Ecuador Clelia Barreto de Hunter; Honorary Consul of Poland Irena Cousins; Lisa Johnston and husband, businessman Charles Johnston; Marjory Kennedy and several scores more.
Dr Barbara Munske (left) gets a hearty welcome from Luz Santamaria, wife of the Chilean ambassador at the reception.
Latin lovelies (from left) Yolanda Sanchez, Dr Maite Villoria, Claudia Riquelme, Deidre Corvera and Annette Insanally say cheese, or should we say queso!
Chilean Ambassador Alfredo Garcia welcomes Lithuanian Consul Lois Lake-Sherwood to his National Day reception.
Shirley Campbell rocks our camera with her smile.
British High Commissioner Jeremy Cresswell (right) shares notes with Ambassador Richard Bernal and business-woman Thalia Lyn at the Chilean National Day reception.
