By Barbara Ellington, Features Co-ordinator
Above: Harriet Huber, wife of German Ambassador, Venezuelan Ambassador, Rocio Maneiro and Michelle Bovell enjoy a lively exchange.At right: British High Commissioner Peter Mathers, expertly negotiates the narrow stairs on board the J.S. de Elcano. - Photos By Barbara Ellington
CARGO IN the Caribbean Cement Company Pier last Saturday night was of the human variety and each sailor on board the "Juan Sebastian de Elcano" was more handsome than the first. All 220 of them!
His Excellency Rafael Jover de Mora Figueroa, Ambassador of Spain, joined Captain Santiago Bolibar, in welcoming guests aboard the Spanish Navy training vessel.
The 43 cadets and 220 crew were making one of several stops on its world tour which is set to end in July next year. The visit is in honour of Jamaica's 40th anniversary of independence and the vessel's next stop will be in Balboa. The sailors will spend Christmas at sea.
Many of the cadets took a trip into the island's capital city to sample fast food and other delights, while over 80 remained on board to mingle with the guests. These included Quico Lopez, Third Commander Chief of Students and Andrea Ortega Ramirez who told The Gleaner he has been a sailor for six years and likes what he does.
With the intense humidity on the starboard side of the ship causing many to sweat, some guests opted for a tour of the areas below deck, making their way gingerly via some very narrow stairs. The band played some lively Spanish tunes.
Of interest were the midshipman's war room containing a beautiful display of swords and guns and the chapel which houses the statue, Nuestra Senora Del Rosary La Galeona (Our Lady of the Rosary), on loan to the ship until it returns to Spain. Here, the sailors attend mass while at sea.
Guests remained on the much cooler port side, where they engaged the gallant sailors in conversation and sipped cocktails. The menu included Spain's famous specially cured ham. Flown to Jamaica specially for the event, this ham is served in cubes or wafer thin slices and enjoyed with cheese. The ham, when prepared this way, is usually served only on Spain's National Day.
Joining in the festivities were: Beverly Levy, Harriet Huber, Jeannette Nieuwenhuijs, Carole Issa, Valerie Marzouca, Jennifer Lim, Paul and Oriente Issa, John and Aida Issa, Muna Issa, Chris and Zein Nakash, Robert McMillan, Kingsley Cooper, Tony Chang, Bernard Benjamin, Beverly Anderson Manley, Donna Harpaul, Chris and Michelle Bovell.
