Adiós, García

Sacha Walters-Gregory, Staff Reporter

Last Wednesday evening, friends, well-wishers and colleagues bid the Chilean Ambassador Alfredo García and his wife, Luz Santa María, adiós.

The Chilean couple used their impending departure as a prime opportunity to share with guests a 'Caremenere' wine night at their home in Millsborough, Kingston.

Guests milled around the swimming pool and nibbled on hors d'oeuvres and intoxicating wines from distributors such as Lascelles, Wray & Nephew, GraceKennedy, Betco, CPJ and Chas E. Ramson.

Ambassador García, who has spent approximately five years in Jamaica, says he feels as if he is leaving part of his heart behind.

"From the beginning, it was love at first sight," he said about his arrival to the island, expounding that the physical beauty of the island is unmistakable, but the country's uniqueness goes beyond that.

"It's the people of the place, who have been wonderful from the beginning," he said.

Ambassador García said he and his wife will leave with the two sayings Jamaicans often say in their hearts, "Giving thanks" and "I have been blessed".

Guests included Greg and Janice Christie, Pablo Vidal, Debra Taylor, Michelle Bovell and her husband Chris, South African High Commissioner Mathu Joyini, Michael Lyn and Thalia Lyn, Minister Arnaldo Brown, Indian High Commissioner Mohinder Grover and Vardeep Grover, and Mayor Angela Brown Burke.