Solveig and Bill, safely home in California from South Africa, write:
He introduced himself at the beginning of our days in Zimbabwe, “My name is Stanley. I am named Stanley because of my cute face. In my country, if you have a cute face, your name is sure to be Stanley.”
Undoubtedly, the face of Henry Morgan Stanley was equally attractive in 1871 as he initiated introductions, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” (For a most interesting story on how this Stanley acquired his name, start with
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/stanley.htm)
Here is the picture Stanley and I took for you, Stanley, as a reminder that your name, too, has a good story, which you have only to create.
As for Zimbabwe, our peak experience was a helicopter ride over Victoria Falls. Bill had selected March for our trip to ensure the highest rainfall, which causes the water to plunge so violently over the top and into cataracts that there is a constant spray. As we walked along the top to view the falls, we experienced the falls more than saw the falls through the blowing rain. Ironically, at the same time, Sunol experienced its highest rainfall, with 17 consecutive days of rain swelling little Sinbad Creek dangerously near trouble. So far, so good, though we don’t have any potable water until they fix a major water main on Pleasanton Ridge (behind our house) that was damaged in a landslide.
