August 23, 1962
Thursday
Dear Joe --
How does one describe the indescribable? Can I take a picture with a wide (extrawide) angle lens using the most sensitive
film & then I show it to you to try to explain the feel of the wind as it gently flows over the mountain tops to brush
against your face & how does one tell about the odors that vary from moment to moment like the taste of a mango -- this
is all part of San Juan & the 30 miles around it that I've seen -- this plus the untold thousands upon thousands who
live in what ...
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(p. 2) generously might be called shacks -- Some of the rivers and streams make one think of the pictures of Hong Kong -- shacks
in the cities, shacks in the towns, shacks in the mountains -- are the New York tenaments so bad compared to this? And,
yet, they have two things that their relations in N.Y. don't have (I'm not including lack of food & jobs) -- they have
a family unity, & above all a smile -- sense of humor & a most pleasant disposition -- so unlike those in N.Y.
who have been thrown together, stepped on & beaten down until they react like a kicked dog -- there is a difference
that can not be explained -- it must be seen -- & the color, streets, noise, beauty can never...
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(p. 3) be explained -- only felt. This to me so far is San Juan -- this & the million dollar hotels &
gambling casinos & the grand restaurants & the most handsome group of people --
I don't want to get carried
away with my comments for I've been here lest than a week & they may change as time goes by -- however, I'm off to a fine start
-- & as long as there are stage sets that exist like those in the sky here (I think this is where Rocco church painting got their
ideas from) who wants ...
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(p. 4) to be elsewhere -- it is the rainy season & rains everyday & night & it is magnificent --
the rainbow that was in the sky at 7:00 p.m. the other night made Judy G's look like a bad second --
Maybe this might turn
into my pot of gold at the end of the rainbow -- for it seems to end right in my eyes --
I have just gotten up & it's now
about 9:30 a.m. & I am dieing for a cup of coffee & half of a pineapple with sweet rolls (my daily breakfast) -- & then
I'm planning on a trip back to Old San Juan -- which at night is picturesque, haunting, mysterious, full of sights, surprises,
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(p. 5) dreams & imaginations -- & during
the day is full of a rare beauty that one can only say contains
the elements of the night against the rushing activity of the
people & the sight of the sea & ocean
slapping against this city that has all the charm & grace someone as old as as this (Nov 19, 1493-Columbus-1508 a colony
under Don Juan Ponce de Léon) should have -- So to my breakfast & to my feast of sound, smell, sight & touch -- & until
you receive my next offerings take ...
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(p. 6) care of my plants (my El Yunque [rain forest]) & send me your wishes to find a little more
contentment here -- I realize that there are hundreds of islands in the Carribbean that are most likely more beautiful
than this -- but why chase after the never ending goal when you have one foot in your dreamland already? -- So my very
best to you --
Expect to move into a cheaper hotel when Frank leaves Sunday as this is too much for me per day as a
single.
as always with
love
Harveysan
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