LA GRAN DAMA . 1982 . ANGEL BOTELLÓ

where i come from,

what has shaped me,

what i love

do not make me who i am, but tell a story that would otherwise take me forever to tell

  • colorful housefront
  • Conquistador golf course iguana
  • garita in Old San Juan

I know we are who we are. Period. Regardless of anything. I am as apolitical as they come, and in that vein will say that I think we are equal in who we are — no matter what we do, where we come from, what we look like. That said, our circumstances, heritages, and surroundings shape us into what we become, not who we are, and that is where my birthplace comes in.

a most enchanting place

Puerta de San Juan, Puerto Rico

i could walk through that door every day,

sit and listen to the ocean, and

wish i could sit forever