22nd November 2013 Kingston, Jamaica
I was very interested to see a letter last month in The Jamaica Gleaner newspaper with the above title, expressing confusion and scepticism as to the purpose of Embassies. Given that I work in one (a High Commission is just the name for an Embassy between Commonwealth Countries), this set me thinking. I love my […]
2nd July 2013 Kingston, Jamaica
I’ve always liked the word ‘diaspora’, which comes from Greek and means scattering or dispersion. Before I came to Jamaica I thought of the Diaspora as referring mainly to the worldwide Jewish community. And indeed, that community is represented here, with its roots in the immigration from Europe of those forced to convert to Christianity […]
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26th November 2012 Kingston, Jamaica
My job in the last week has involved discussions with ‘tars’ (or sailors) about ‘tarps’ (or tarpaulins). When posted to Singapore I had the opportunity to visit a number of other nations’ ships, which often stopped at the naval base for a few days. Last week in Kingston we had a short-notice visit from a […]
16th November 2012 Kingston, Jamaica
I’m into my second month as Deputy High Commissioner in Jamaica. It’s my third diplomatic posting and first time in the Caribbean, which offers a real contrast to my previous assignments in Beijing and Singapore. Preparing for the posting, my husband and I attended many Jamaican events in London this summer and at a talk on […]