By Nashauna Drummond, Staff Reporter 
Christian Hausmann (left) and Harriet Huber prepares tea (right).
GERMAN AMBASSADOR to Jamaica, Christian Hausmann, and his wife Harriet Huber, are absolutely at home in the tropics. He has been assigned to serve another term as ambassador and so their lives continue to be punctuated each day with the unique beauty of the island that they revel in at their Jacks Hill residence. On a recent visit, Mrs. Huber shows us around her home and speaks of her time in Jamaica. So far she has already learnt some Jamaican expressions, 'knowing that you should not eat 'fluxy' mangoes, and when someone has no 'braughtupsy'.
The ambassador's second term assignment will make Jamaica the longest they have served in any one country, an experience they are enjoying immensely. Ms. Huber notes that every morning she enjoys breakfast on her downstairs terrace. Here she is greeted by the sounds and beauty of the many humming- birds and other species that live and feed off the many trees that surround the property. Her day ends enjoying tea with her husband on her upstairs terrace that overlooks the pool. This vantagepoint offers a picturesque view of Kingston, Portmore and the Kingston Harbour. As they watch the sun set, the light of the day fades to be replaced by the kaleidoscope of lights from the city below.
Both the ambassador and his wife are avid readers, a fact confirmed by the abundance of shelves of books visible from the landing at the top of the stairs. They are also huge Miles Davis fans with a repertoire of all his albums above which the wall is adorned with his photo. "He was the greatest trumpet player in the world," she said.
Back downstairs, her walls are adorned with paintings by Seya Parboosingh and 'Jacqueline', an original Picasso a piece she is extremely proud of she
confesses.
Residing with the couple are their pets Toby and Senta. Her cat Toby just popped in one day and decided to stay. Senta, who is part German Shepherd, part Rotweiler, is six months old; she needed a home and they needed a dog.
Ms. Huber's favourite room of the house is actually outside the gazebo. She likes being outside in nature and for this the gazebo is her private get away. It is situated by the pool which is surrounded by very tall coconut trees, and a travellers palm which she got for her husband (he had the choice of where to plant it). From this vantage point, you are also in view of her cherry, sour sop, pear and the top of her ackee plant across the tennis court. These, along with the mango and apple trees, are in full view across the expanse of lawn at the front of the residence which also bears the German flag. A unique addition is a pineapple tree whose fruit is almost ready to be eaten.
The couple enjoys sailing around the island in her husband's sailboat. So far they have sailed to Manatee Bay and Pigeon Island, just to name a few. They are also collectors. Ambassador Hausmann collects miniature antique cars while she has an Armadillo collection she sometimes uses to decorate various tables around the house.
A culinary innovator, Ms. Huber enjoys being in the kitchen. A vegetarian for 23 years, she prepares meals for her husband most evenings. She confesses that cooking breadfruit is still a challenge for her but she has developed her own recipe for ackee which includes onions, escallion, and garlic with parmesan cheese.
Ms. Huber's strategy for adjusting to each country to which her husband is assigned, is to visit their galleries. She remembers vividly that the first art exhibition she visited when she arrived in Jamaica was of Susan Alexander at the Mutual Life building. "Art is like a mirror of the country, how they express themselves," she said.
