They came in pairs

With so many comings and goings, bienvenidas and despedidas filled the calendar. Dutch Ambassador Theo and Kessara Arnold hosted a farewell dinner for Dutch Counsellor Elsa da Costa and her husband Dr. Anibal da Costa. Soon after, Belgian Ambassador Roland and Sylvia Van Remoortele feted Indian Ambassador S.K. Uppal and his wife Taiko, as also the Da Costas.

The former dinner was enlivened by the vivacious personality, infectious laughter and mischievous banter of Kessara Arnold. The second was highlighted by a very "hot", very spicy Singaporean cuisine which was the talk at our table and, imaginably, at all other tables. My tablemates Alice Buckley, Jean Goulbourn, Mita Rufino, Arturo Luz and I tried beef stewed in coconut gravy, vegetable casserole in coconut sauce, yellow noodles in beef gravy sauce, rice noodles in spicy coconut broth, chili crabs, deep fried fish in soya sauce and ginger, Hainanese chicken rice. Desserts reminded me of our own: a Singaporean version of ginata-an, chilled mango sago, and something different: red dates with longan soup.

The after-dinner speeches added spice to an already spicy evening. There was lusty applause when Taiko showed the guests her Chinese painting which she had done under the tutelage of the very talented artist Sylvia, and hearty laughter followed when Sylvia announced: "Taiko was my best pupil," adding, " She was also my only pupil."

I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with the witty British Deputy David Campbell; when I asked him, "Are you the heir of the Campbell Soup King?", he quickly replied, "If I were, I wouldn’t be here." Talk theater to him and you’ll discover he has read all of Shakespeare’s 37 plays!

The parting speech of the personable Canadian Counsellor/Consul Kent Vachon at the cocktails of Ambassador Robert and Marilyn Collete was touching. Kent said he loved his three-year stay here because of our openness and friendliness. He was deeply impressed with People Power II, with how peacefully the crowds behaved. Kent sincerely hopes the country will fulfill the promises of People Power II.

At the welcome reception given Kent three years ago, he came alone, being then a (very eligible) bachelor. At the farewell reception, he came with his lovely Filipino wife, Gina Pattugalan. Congratulations Kent and Bon Voyage. We’ll sorely miss you!