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From left: Jorge Sales, CEO of MBJ Airports, his wife Mrs. Sales and Ambassador Jover.
Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
AFTER FOUR years, Spanish Ambassador HE Rafael Jover and his wife Lola Jover left Kingston on Wednesday evening of last week for Spain, signalling the end of their tour of duty here. With their departure, the diplomatic and social scenes here in Kingston lost two of its more elegant personalities, as Rafael and Lola Jover were not just wonderful diplomats, they had a sense of occasion and dignity that made them standard bearers of elegance, underlying their status of being definitely fabulous.
The Jovers were unequalled in their command of the language of elegance; theirs was a vocabulary that reeked pure sophistication and unbridled style!
They epitomised the kind of style that is both admired and coveted as it distinguishes the regal from mere mortals. And this made the Jovers premier guests in upper St. Andrew homes and celebrated among their diplomatic colleagues!
Now, this was no easy feat as their predecessor, Ambassador Fernando de la Serna, was quite a hard act to follow, having distinguished himself in the role.
And after a tour of duty that saw a deepening of cultural ties between Spain and Jamaica through scholarships for further studies in Spain; a promotion of a greater understanding of the historical links between both countries and the visit of Christobal Colon, heir of Christopher Columbus, Ambassador Rafael Jover not only played a fabulous diplomatic innings, his departure will leave us poorer, both culturally and socially.
SUMMER OF GOODBYES
Well, this summer has been dubbed the summer of goodbyes, as there has been a slew of diplomatic reassignments and retirements among the ranks of those serving here. With these came a parade of goodbye events to honour those taking their leave.
And so Thursday last, Ambassador Rafael Jover and his wife threw their ultimate farewell reception, at the Spanish Embassy in Norbrook, St. Andrew.
The invitation bidding attendance gave the starting time as 7:00 p.m. It did not, however, state an expected closing time, indicating that this was intended to be a very relaxed and laid-back affair. Arriving guests, however, would have been taken aback somewhat by the absence of the absolute crush of vehicular traffic that is usually the norm on official occasions.
Upon entering the residence, it was equally clear that this was a rather intimate little affair, with a critically hand-picked short list of friends and colleagues. And my dears, it was unapologetically high-brow, and then some!
Now dovecakes, the Spanish Embassy has always been one fabulous estate but Rafael and Lola Jover transformed what was already a fab property, adding just the right touches of the Mediterranean élan and Spanish eleganza and it now reflects garden and patio grandeur that is unequalled.
Luvs, we are talking rolling lawns here, strategically accessorised by plush garden furniture, huge copper-pots used as water-lily ponds, accessed from point in the main residence; the guest cottage and/or the very inviting pool and deck area. Dears, its like that - designed for leisure and entertainment!
Dearhearts, it was a gathering of friends and acquaintances all in a very relaxed mode, as guests milled about in conversational groupings, moving from the pool and deck area, to the patio of the main residence and the lawn and garden area to relax on the very plush and inviting lounge sofas as a battery of waiters and waitresses navigated the milling groups with trays laden with some simply delicious finger foods and libations.
No speeches and sentiment here, as Ambassador Jover and his wife made the rounds meeting and greeting each guest, exchanging sentiments and good wishes.
Dears, everyone in attendance was united by the fact that Jamaica was losing friends.
Among those attending were: His Worship The Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Desmond McKenzie; Ambassador Douglas Saunders and Angela Robertson; Lady Patricia Golding; Hon. David and Maria Coore; Hon. Dennis Lalor; Trinidad and Tobago's High Commissioner and Dean of the Diplomatic Corp HE Dennis Francis; Russian Ambassador HE Igor Lebedev; German Ambassador HE Volker Schlegel; British High Commissioner HE Jeremy Creswell and his German companion harming Dr. Barbara Munske; his deputy Phil Sinkinson. Also out; Deputy Chief of Mission European Union Ambjorn Berglund and his wife Ingrid Berglund; Acting Head of US Mission Cliff Tighe and wife the lovely Dr. Luisa Tighe; Chinese Ambassador HE Zhao Zhenyu; Chilean Ambassador HE Alfanso Silva and wife Ada Aldana and their son Benjamin Silva; Colombian Ambassador HE Dr. Kent and Cecilia Francis; Argentinean Ambassador HE Gonzalo and Ines Sernandez; Peruvian Ambassador HE Luis Sandiga; Kittian Ambassador HE Cedric Harper and wife Dr. Barbara Harper; newly appointed Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, HE Filomena Navarro; Venezuelan Charge d'affairs Madai Hernandez; Deputy Chief of Mission Spanish Embassy Jaume Segura i Socias; and Spanish Embassy official Julia Coc Mendoza.
Chris and Michelle Bovell, she looking as flawless as ever; Anthony and Jeannie Watson and son James Watson; Beverly Junor-Levy, squired by her cousin, Peter Junor; the oh-so-elegant Susan Alexander; Robert MacMillan; Jennifer Lim; Paul Issa; Capt. Mike Lyn and wife Thalia Lyn; Ronald and Barbara Sasso; Roy and Sylvia Collister; Sameer and Lila Younis; Robert Cartade; Mrs. Joy Mahfood; Ambassador Dr. Matthew Beaubrun; businessman Tunty Barrett and wife, the regal Ambassador Madge Barrett; Dr. Oswald and Marigold Harding; Rear Admiral (retired) and Mrs. Peter Brady; the graceful Maria Pinchin; George Fatta; Mrs. Pat Francis; Patrick and Marguerite Lynch; Dr. Laura Tanna; Hugh and Margaret Croskery; Capt. David McRae; Frank and Lorraine Roshuevel; Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin; Peter and Donnia Bovell and his daughter, the lovely Danielle Bovell; Jorge Sales, CEO of MBJ; the spirited cabaret singer Charmaine Lemonius; plus a number of others.
