" You're pissing up the wrong tree."
When I think of Bob Adams and all that's happened today, I am reminded of the quote from the Oscar-nominated film Donny Brasco, starring Al Pacino. This line, memorably dubbed into Hungarian by Tamás Végvári, has become a familiar saying. Bob made a blunder if he thought that this Hungarian wouldn't stand up to him just because he was in a foreign land. Even here, this Hungarian guy has made some influential friends.
To start with, there's Eddie Grasser, the president of the Alaska Chapter of Safari Club International. My dear readers might remember that I met him a few days after I had arrived in Alaska. Yesterday I wrote and told Eddie what had happened.
I got his reply today.
In it he emphatically advises me to make a complaint to Kevin Anderson, the head of the Ethical Committee of Safari Club International, as well as to the Big Game Commercial Services Board for the State of Alaska, which operates under the aegis of the Alaskan Department of Fish and Game, and is in charge of guide training and outfitter supervising. And so, I did!
Never forget, there's always somebody above everybody.
In a letter to Cabela's I suggest the creation of an Ethical Code, to be signed by every outfitter working for them, in order to achieve a higher standard of service. Frank thinks it's a good idea, worthy of thorough consideration.
Above Anchorage the sky has become depressingly overcast. It is drizzling and the clouds are bumping into the hotel towers. I don't feel like doing much wandering around, I prefer to rest before my next hunt.
At noon I go back to the Army/Navy Store and, at the hotel's expense, I buy myself a Carhartt jacket to replace the Under Armour one which died a hero's death at the hands of the hotel laundry. I'm starting to get used to the fact that for the rest of my journey I will always have to check in three pieces of luggage. But, on the positive side, I'll have enough space for some more shopping... Finally the hotel staff have tracked down almost all my missing clothes, and I've replaced the ones that are still lost. During all of my four stays here I have received invaluable help from them in arranging my affairs. It has been a real Expedition Headquarters. There is not one person working here who has not done what I asked of them. I am totally satisfied with the
Chapter VI.: Return to Alaska
Page 43
Anchorage Hilton, but tomorrow, sadly, I must leave it. Hopefully not forever, but on my current journey I won't be coming back. I go to the shopping mall on 5th Avenue and buy two huge boxes of chocolates, all chosen by me in the shop, for the hotel staff.
I sink into the jacuzzi for the last time...
