Sorry Charlie

September 4

Last two days have been taken up with buying stuff, but not, alas, with storing or doing repairs with it. Due to little being open Sunday and Labor Day, expected to have two full days for nothing but organization and projects. As happens, however, no hurry is necessary as the acclaimed (just ask them) US Postal Service apparently thinks Pago Pago, American Samoa is somewhere near Waterford, Connecticut where Defender order is "Out for Delivery or Available at PO Box". Will call tomorrow. Meantime, as there is only Saturday (not Monday) delivery of priority mail from US, five additional days are in hand for procrastination. Also, to degree info is correct, forecast wind, currently 25, will remain 20 to 30 with 4 meter seas through at least Wednesday.

Besides making purchases, alluded to above, spent day with four others in rented car exploring nearly every road on Tutuilla. Drove by Starkist for fullest and most voluptuous aura of fetor and to see Charlie (ref. American commercial campaign), but forewent (real word) lingering. It's a beautiful place with far more agreeable fragrances away from factory. Rainfall is up to 300 inches a year and much of the mountainous island is lushly carpeted in rain forest. In an area of the world, Oceania, where the universal attitude so far has been friendliness, American Samoa stands out. They evidently like Americans more than many Americans do.

Jack