10 things you didn't know about Celsa Nuño

Celsa Nuño, the Spanish ambassador to Jamaica, arrived here just under two years ago. It was a time that many social observers and diplomatic watchers thought was particularly interesting, as her predecessor, Ambassador Jesús Silva, was not only one of the most well-liked, respected and admired diplomat as he preceded over a period of unprecedented cooperation between Jamaica and Spain. It was a time of increased Spanish investment in Jamaica, particularly the tourism sector.

Many thought the incoming ambassador had some really big shoes to fill.

Well, that was then. Today, Ambassador Celsa Nuño has happily settled into her role as Spain's first citizen, and has been busy stamping her own sense and style of leadership on the Spanish mission here. Not content with merely filling the shoes of her predecessor, she is wearing her own with charismatic and engaging style in pursuit of her official mandate and duties while balancing her roles of motherhood and the needs of her family.

1. Celsa lost her father at the age of 16, but remains guided by
his work ethic and philosophy of discipline throughout her professional
career. He was a strong believer in the value of a good education. Both
parents insisting that all their six children pursue university
education and learnt foreign languages.

2. She has served
in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean in the: Cte d'Ivoire, Ghana,
South Africa, the Dominican Republic and Argentina. Her last posting
before taking up duties in Jamaica was as the senior adviser on foreign
affairs to the then Spanish deputy prime minister. Her areas of
specialisation include commercial relations (identifying business
opportunities) cultural cooperation (bringing our countries closer
through cultural activities) as well as any activity related to the
support of education.

3. She serves as president of the
Spanish-Jamaican Foundation, a role that often leads to her working with
communities outside Kingston. A lot of the activities revolve around
education, a field she is committed to.

4. She has no sense
of orientation or memory for routes. And so, if she does not use a map
or make mental notes, chances are she will get lost without fail. For
that reason, she don't often drive.

5. She met her husband
Alex Crowther in 1991 in Cte d'Ivoire, where they were both serving as
deputy heads of mission in their respective embassies - Spanish and
South African. Being of Anglo-Saxon descent, it took him years to get
used to the fast and chaotic way Mediterranean have of conversing. He
used to complain that he wasn't able to edge a word sideways when they
were at the table with her mother and five brothers and sisters.

6.
They are proud and loving parents of three children, who are taught
appreciation rather than a sense of entitlement and, consequently, show
appreciation for what they receive and don't take anything for granted.

7.
Contrary to the school of thought that couples have separate hobbies,
she is a firm believer that the more interests a couple share, the
stronger their foundation. Based on this, she decided to take flying
instruction while her husband was doing his commercial pilot licence in
South Africa 15 years ago. She passed her private pilot written exams
and did about 20 hours of flying in a small Piper Cherokee, including a
solo flight, with no instructor on board! It was exciting, but she had
no interest in taking her flying experience any further. Similar reasons
led her to take golf lessons six years ago. She is now an avid golfer.

8.
Her husband has encouraged her to take up scuba diving, although she is
wary of the depths and large fish they could encounter. One of their
best holidays ever was a diving trip to the Maldives in the Indian
Ocean. They have also been fly fishing in Patagonia (Argentina), where
she caught a 10lb brown trout. It's not about doing everything together,
but sharing experiences. She is not adventurous, but does not like to
be left behind and have enjoyed most things her husband has led her to
try, except shooting.

9. One of her more prized gifts from
her husband is beautiful Kenwood mixer four years ago. She taught
herself to make pastries and desserts for their children, and this
proved a wonderful stress-release outlet during her last high-pressure
job in Madrid.

10. Celsa is a linguist. She is fluent in
Spanish, English, German, French and Italian. The children are fluent in
English and Spanish, and are currently learning French.