Expats celebrate the Royal Wedding in Panama

The Social Scene

with Dra Lourdes Quijada

Nearly 70 expats from half a dozen countries turned up Panama’s Club Union on Friday April 29 to join with Panamanians in celebrating the Royal Wedding that took place earlier in the day, in Westminster Abbey.

Most of them, like thousands of Panamanians had risen early in the day to witness live, on TV, the spectacular Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in the Abbey . followed by the parade along the Mall to Buckingham Palace and their appearance with Queen Elizabeth II on the balcony, and the traditional kiss of the newly weds. William and Kate (by then the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) went further than their predecessors, and kissed twice to the appreciation of the hundreds of thousands of spectators in front of the Palace, and millions of watchers around the world.{jathumbnail off}

It all went off with a precision and grandeur that we expect of Britain's Royal events,

which Hollywood filmmakers must have envied… No clips 1, 2, 3 as infinitum. They got it right first time..

At the Club Union, the celebratory event organized by the CanadaPLUS Club also moved smoothly in front of a large screen reprise of the London events. Tiaras were the order of the day for many of the female participants who sampled, fine food from an elegant buffet, wines, an open bar, were entertained by an

excellent musical trio and to cap it, a wedding cake

, surmounted by a Royal carriage was served along with a champagne toast. Speeches were kept to a minimum. Enjoyment was the aim of the event.

Most guests danced the evening away to Smooth Jazz from the Tri Los Fulanos., while others adjourned to a spacious balcony to savor cigars, donated by Gonzalo de la Guardia.

On leaving, each guest received a Royal Wedding souvenir mug, courtesy of CanadaPLUS to complement the specially designed souvenir invitation.

The mugs were created and produced in Panama, and were filled with alfajores donated by Alfajores Meite and are sure to become collector items, as well as a memento of an outstanding evening.

The next major event of the Club will be a July 1 celebration of Canada Day, with an art show by Canadian artists, music, wine, and door prizes. The club which has recently announced a group

health insurance program, open to all expat members. Membership is available to all who speak English, or aspire to (which is where PLUS comes in) and currently has members