How famous is famous?

I had a wonderful time waitressing in St. Ives, Cornwall. This time I went armed with my plastic, photo album loaded with pictures to show all the people there how beautiful Africa really is and why we still want to live there even though the things that happen to us there are totally unacceptable. I worked with the beautiful people (and I am telling you they really were beautiful) who were so kind to this very over-forty muddled up waitress. They would ooh and aah over my African photos pretending not to notice the odd head or arm missing from group photos (never was much of a photographer). They were enchanted with the pictures of the horses, elephants and trees although they had to peer hard sometimes to try and distinguish them. My photo album took pride of place behind the bar and was brought out often much to the amusement of the gorgeous chef Ian and the young waiters and waitresses. 

One quiet, sunny, afternoon a middle aged man dressed in a faded corduroy jacket, cap on his head and a camera sat on the balcony. I went over to take his order and we got chatting. He was interested to know where I was from and when I told him he became more interested. He told me he had just been to Kenya and I started telling him about Mozambique. Hold on I said, Would you like to have a look at my photo album. Yes! he said enthusiastically!!. I rushed to get it as I picked it up I saw Ian the chef waving madly but I pressed on thinking he wanted an order. I slapped the photo album down and excitedly showed the nice gentleman all the African photos. The headless elephant, upside down palm tree in Mozambique, pictures of my mother. He seemed entranced. When I looked up Ian the chef's face was pressed against the window beckoning me madly. I excused myself. Ian what is it?. He looked ashen. Do you know who that is you are talking to let alone showing those photos too? he whispered. I looked at the man who was still paging through the photos. No! I shook my head vigourously, I don't think so!!. 

Well its Davil Bailey the World Famous Photographer said Ian looking anxious. He is a legend in his own lifetime, most famous photographer of the 60's and he has an exhibition on in London at this very moment. I rushed back to the table swooped up my photograph album with no explanation and left Mr. Bailey looking totally bewildered. The waiters were in hysterics by now and I was sooo embarrassed I hid the photo album and myself behind the bar and never brought the album out again. But you will be pleased to know Mr. Bailey left me a 5 pound tip.

Mandy Retzlaff
Bvumba
Zimbabwe