Savvy’s Steven Stiefel is in mourning as his week covering Ujena Swimwear’s Ujena Jam Talent Search Week in Cancun draws to a close…

Monday, January 21

2 a.m.
Another night of clubbing in Cancun. Another room full of gorgeous, bikini-clad women. Another night of reckless abandon (… by ‘reckless abandon’, I mean ‘serious reporting’). Ahhh… I am going to miss this place. As the night drew to a close, we boarded a bus outside The City Nightclub bound for Hotel Barcelo. Some caught just a few hours of rest before climbing back onto the proverbial wagon, and shooting some more. The finalists were announced earlier in the evening, much to the delight of the eleven models and five photographers who made the grade. The honour roll included models Amanda Bill, Dany, Aurora Rodriguez, Claire Hall, Missy Kaniuk, Kimberly Romaine, Karla Arce, Andria Lea, Nicole Lamar, Jill Hardin, and Adianee; and photographers, Richard Sigmon, Norm Edwards, Matthew Altenbach, Mark Haas, and Steve Evans.

6:30 a.m.
I am wide-awake. It’s raining cats and dogs outside.

8 a.m.
Special guest photographer Bruce Smith from the UK was eager to recruit photographers to take his workshop, despite the challenge of the weather, and the absence of the model. I later saw Bruce and his entourage shooting outside during a brief reprieve from the downpour.

9:45 a.m.
No trip to Cancun is complete without souvenir shopping. I bought a little Mexican-knit dress for my daughter and a hoodie that says ‘Cancun’ on it. When we sat down to eat, a guitarist approached our table every couple of minutes wanting to know if I wished to be serenaded. I didn’t.

5:58 p.m.
By this time, it was all systems go for the final awards night at the Bulldog Nightclub in downtown Cancun. Bags were packed, in preparation for early morning getaways. I prayed that I’d be spared from sitting next to one of these all-nighters on my own flight. Talk turned quickly to the next event, to be held this May in Spain. All of the models and photographers assured me they would be signing up for Savvy's Search for the Million Dollar Woman and Savvy Editors' Choice Awards.

10 p.m.
A round of applause, please. And the winners were… photographer, Rich Sigmon, and model Karla Arce. Savvy awarded Karla an interview and pictorial featuring her beautiful face.

12:20 a.m.
As the rest of the entourage went to Senor Frog’s, I went back to the hotel to file this story. What a good boy. Some might say I deserve a holiday. In Barcelona. In May.

12:30 a.m.
Said goodbye to Ujena’s Bob and Catherine Anderson. I tried not to let them see the tears that were welling in my eyes. I am devastated that this week is over. To cheer me up, they encouraged me to join them in Barcelona in May. Dear Readers, please, pretty please, leave loads of comments so that my boss sends me to Barcelona.

It’s been fun. It’s been real. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that I’ll see you in Spain… (hint, hint, nudge, nudge).

_______

On the Web:

Savvy's Coverage of Ujena Jam...

http://savvy.com/entertainment/more/assignment_cancun

http://savvy.com/entertainment/more/dear_diary

http://savvy.com/entertainment/more/dear_diary_1

http://savvy.com/entertainment/more/dear_diary_2

http://savvy.com/entertainment/more/ujena_jam_cancun_is_history

http://www.ujenatalent.com