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Costa Ricans celebrate

Published:Sunday | September 22, 2013 | 12:00 AM
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The lovely Alvine Valor (right) joins her gal pal Gumer Gamero, for a photo op.
Alfredo Stefan, minister counsellor at the Embassy of the Dominican Republic, and his lovely wife, Alicia La Paix de Stefan, were quite cosy as they both made stylish statements at Monday night's reception.
High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago Iva Gloudon (right) was caught sporting matching smiles with South African High Commissioner Mathu Joyini.
A.J. Nicholson, minister of foreign affairs and trade, was beaming next to Costa Rican Chargé d'Affaires Tanishia Ellis Hayles as they cut the Independence cake together at Monday night's reception at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
The lady of the hour, Costa Rican Chargé d'Affaires Tanishia Ellis Hayles (centre), flanked by her gal pals who seemingly got the black and white memo, Betty Phillips (left) and Ramel Lodenquai (right).
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Garfene Grandison, Assistant Lifestyle Coordinator

The morning of September 15 was divine. In San José's Avenida Segunda Costa Rica, thousands of people headed towards Parque Central. Good-natured police officials formed a perimeter around the eggshell stage as hordes of uniformed children roughhoused on the park's concrete walkways, gathered for Costa Rica's 192 years of independence from Spain - Costa Rica's first step towards total autonomy. To commemorate the event, officials gathered in the Parque Central to deliver speeches, play the anthem and hand out special certificates to meritorious students.

Here on The Rock, the celebrations were not as grand, but were just as patriotic and as heartfelt as the parade throughout the city in Costa Rica. Costa Rican Chargé d' Affaires Tanishia Ellis Hayles hosted a reception at The Jamaica Pegasus Port Antonio Suite to celebrate the gargantuan milestone on Monday night. The speeches were short and the lyme long as specially invited guests mixed and mingled all night.

She welcomed the specially invited guests and expressed great pleasure in presiding over the first National Day celebration since her two years in her current role. Ellis Hayles also highlighted the great support that Costa Rica has received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the great relationship that both countries have forged. "In 1872, the first set of Jamaicans went over to Costa Rica to help with the railway," she noted, highlighting that the Jamaican community has increased significantly in the country. She also made mention of the strong Jamaican influence that is found in the Costa Rican society. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade A.J. Nicholson explained how the diplomatic relations between Jamaica and Costa Rica were forged and how over the years they have been very beneficial to both countries.

After the formalities, Minister Nicholson and Ellis Hayles cut the 'birthday cake' to wish Costa Rica a very happy Independence Day!