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Adios, Ambassador!

Published:Sunday | October 5, 2014 | 12:00 AM
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Colombian ambassador Luis Guillermo Martinez (right) welcomes Cuban Ambassador Bernardo Hernández.
The man of the moment, Panamanian Ambassador Jorge Enrique Constantino Gonzalez, Sayoko Takase, wife of the ambassador for Japan, Arnaldo Brown, minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Japanese Ambassador Yasuo Takase.
It's cheers all around for (from left) Ariel Fernandez, Argentinian ambassador, Jesús Orus, from the Delegation of the European Union, Godelieve Van Den Bergh, Belgium ambassador, Dr José Tomás Ares German, ambassador for the Dominican Republic, and Gerardo Lozana, Mexican ambassador.
Four-month-old Luis Alfredo Stefan, grandson of the Dominican ambassador, stole the heart of Cecilia Schmillen, wife of the German ambassador.
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Cathy Risden, Gleaner Writer

"It's the most difficult thing to say goodbye to a great colleague and friend," noted Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Dr José Ares German. The occasion was a farewell reception for Panamanian Ambassador Jorge Constantino Gonzalez.

The Jack's Hill home of the Colombian ambassador, Luis Guillermo Martinez, was the location for the intimate affair for all the friends he had made during his tenure.

Ambassador Gonzalez's diplomatic career began more than 40 years ago when he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Panama. Over the past four decades, he has travelled extensively, representing his country in various diplomatic positions. After arriving in Jamaica in April 2012, on Friday, October 3, he departed our fair shores.

He told Outlook that he will surely miss his friends. During his stay, he has enjoyed the beaches in Montego Bay and Negril and he will surely miss their beauty. "Jamaica is a paradise. The people are very happy people," he stated, adding he was very proud of our athletes, especially Usain Bolt. A lover of the music of Bob Marley, he will also miss eating our grilled snapper and lobster.

The diplomats and commissioners representing the various countries were present to say their personal farewells. The background music complemented the mood of the event - it's hard to say goodbye to a friend.

Though his official duties are over, Gonzalez said that he is hoping to return to Jamaica to visit his friends and associates. What's next for Gonzalez? "I will stay a year in Panama and then see what happens," he said.

Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer