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Adios, Celsa

Published:Sunday | July 27, 2014 | 12:00 AM
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Outgoing Spanish Ambassador Celsa Nuño (left) and Rosa Joseph have a quick photo op at Nuño's farewell reception.
With a listening ear, Michael Vicens (left) and Alex Crowther (centre) hear words of wisdom from Sameer Younis.
Patrick Atkinson (left), attorney general, Edmund Bartlett (centre), and Milton Samuda share a pleasant moment.
Custos of St Andrew Marigold Harding (left) gives Ambassador Nuño a warm greeting.
Ambassador Nuño (left) and her husband, Alex Crowther, take a photo with attorney-at-law Ashley-Ann Foster.
Spanish Ambassador Celsa Nuño (right) tries on a necklace from the wife of the Colombian ambassador, Gertrudis Martinez.
Sylvia Ruschel (left) shares the spotlight with Michelle Bovell.
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Rochelle Keane, Lifestyle Writer

Spanish Ambassador Celsa Nuño departed the island on Wednesday, but before she left, friends, members of the diplomatic circle and well-wishers came out to bid her adíos.

On Wednesday, July 16, her Norbrook home was stocked with Spanish wine, food and decorated to the nines for her official farewell party.

As friends enjoyed the fare, dressed in a simple black dress, Ambassador Nuño swept through the room in elegance as she greeted and said her goodbyes to all the new friends she had made. The elegance of the evening had a personal touch as the ambassador's husband, Alex Crowther, attended to his guests as he served them various Spanish appetisers, informing them of the ingredients.

For her speech that was short and funny, she greeted the gathering as 'dear friends'- as, after four years on this here fair isle, that's what they had become. She continued her speech by quoting Winston Churchill: "Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions".

She noted that, when it was time for her to take over from Jesus Silva Fernandez, she had to convince him to leave. She said that, after working in Jamaica and with people who are committed and willing to give of their time, skills and money to support this country, she can now understand why he never wanted to leave. "When I arrived, people told me gently that it would be hard to live up to his reputation - every woman told me how handsome he was and, hopefully, now that I am leaving, all men will tell me the same." That was greeted by a loud applause and confirmative cheers from the men in attendance.

Tearfully, she thanked everybody involved in the work she has been able to complete while in Jamaica, the partnerships she has been able to establish in her capacity as ambassador, and her husband who was forever in her corner as adviser and counsellor.

At the end of her address, a slide show of her involvement in both the public and private sector was displayed. She gracefully received gifts from special guests.

rochelle.keane@gleanerjm.com

Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer