I invite all participants to record here you initial thoughts about Elmira
2013...  as a mean of processing our collective experience.  For me:

--Many thanks to Barb and all the staff for a great event.

--I'm blown away by the vigor and commitment of the Japanese Twain
community.  Many of them traveled up to 18 hours or more to be in NY for
the show.  My thanks for their diligence and contributions to the fine
program.  In addition:  I felt like the memorial for Prof. Nagawara (whom I
called the Henry Nash Smith of Twain studies in Japan and mentor to many of
our colleagues) was one of the poignant highlights of our gathering.
Nagawara-sensei's story is compelling:  he miraculously survived the
Hiroshima attack, in which many in his immediate family were killed, and
yet went on to become an advocate and huge fan of one of our great American
authors.  What an amazing life!

--Sunset on the porch at Quarry Farm on Saturday = priceless.

--Mainly, it's about seeing old friends; but that's just me.  (There were
some good papers, too!)

Cheers (and Otsukare-sama deshita!), --Hal B.



-- 
Prof. Harold K. Bush
Professor of English
3800 Lindell
Saint Louis University
St. Louis, MO  63108
314-977-3616 (w); 314-771-6795 (h)
<www.slu.edu/x23809.xml>