April 2009

Dear Friends,

Last time we “spoke,” I was in the throes of preparing for my first literary tour in Puerto Rico. It was the first time I had the opportunity to spend valuable time not only with young readers there but also with their parents and teachers. I will always cherish the warm welcome and enthusiastic embrace of my work I received. The whole experience was very personal to me since it encompassed everything I’ve been trying to accomplish for years now. Like the tale of the prodigal son, it was great to go back home and share what I’ve learned.

From my first stop at the Recinto Universitario de Humacao, to the San Juan Children’s Museum and the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, I encountered eager audiences that not only were interested in my work but also wanted to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of living and creating between two cultures.

This was the kind of exchange I’ve wanted to experience for some time now and I hope it will be repeated soon. The best part was getting to share my efforts with family and friends, giving them a better idea of what I do (which I know can sometimes seem abstract). Then to top it all off was the series of small, private gatherings given by friends and supporters. To say I was both humbled and honored would be an understatement.

This whole trip was a great success, of course, thanks to the efforts of some very special supporters. I give my thanks and appreciation to: Carmen Estrella, teacher and friend, for pushing me to take action and planting the seed that blossomed into this experience; Paquita Vivó, for always being on the lookout for opportunities and finally scoring the Museo de Arte for me and for hosting a wonderful gathering in which she displayed her understated elegance and class; Gaby Diaz, for always thinking up ideas to create new opportunities for my work; Elsie Parra, great artist and friend, and her husband Ramon, for giving a high octane dinner party at their spectacularly beautiful home also known as “party central” (along with their six dogs, the evening was a super blast, the likes of which I haven’t experienced in decades. ‘Nuff said!); Carmen Morales, an exciting writer whose work I hope we will all be reading soon, for the beautiful reception she so graciously hosted at her spectacular home in San Juan; and Jorge Cancio and Ivan Perez, with whom we finally were able to enjoy some quality time in the beautiful and artistic surroundings of their home. I also want to especially thank Carmen Milagros Torres, who coordinated the Recinto Universitario de Humacao visit; Carmen Vega, President of the Children’s Museum along with the museum’s Education Director Antonio Martell who pumped up the crowd with humor and incredible energy; and Josarie Molina and Yarimil Figueroa at the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, who worked very hard to make my visit the success it was! To all of you, I thank you and send you all my love and gratitude.

Enjoy the pictures,

Edwin