Posted 4:27 PM by MelanieandSteve
2/22/03: Hello everyone. I'm just experimenting with this blog system and I'm not sure my first posting posted, so bear with any repetition. We are having a great time. Loved London and enjoyed lots of sights. The architecture was awesome. Could enjoy just the exterior view for hours. Enjoyed a little touring of the Thames, Westminister Abby and other highlights as well. But it was Chillie, so we're looking forward to warmer weather in more southern countries. We just arrived in Paris tonight. Already had our first swindling: life's a learning experience.

(edit of 5/4/03: some of you asked me to put the first news letter that I sent out onto the blogger. Here it is.)
Dear friends,

I know I promised many of you emails from our trip. Im sorry that its taken
me
a while to get started with this, but today is the first time that Steve and
I
have made it into an internet cafe.

HOW TO READ THIS EMAIL: I know Looooong form-letter emails can be tedious
when you get more information than you want. So I will put topical headings
in
capital letters on the following paragraphs so you can pick and choose what
you want to read. For those of you who only wish to know whether Steve and
I

are alive and well, we are very alive and very well, and you can stop here.
For those of you who want to know what weve been up to, read what interests
you. Also, for those of you who wish I wouldnt send you group emails like
this, just let me know and Ill take you off the list for the next one.

Some of you I havent spoken to in a very long time, so Ill give a summary of
some of the more exciting events since leaving working life in August.

4 GREAT TRIPS IN THE USA:
Steve and I began our adventures with some in-country travels. We had
several
very local small trips, but there were 4 main U.S.A. Adventures.

FIRST USA TRIP: ALASKA
We went to Alaska where we were so lucky to have the company and generous
assistance of my brother John who lives there. He showed us around and let us

use his truck to drive over 2K miles to include a drive above the arctic
circle for a camping trip. I left there loving Alaska and wanting to stay

long term - - but then, Im finding that a lot of places I visit leave me
wanting to stay longer.

SECOND USA TRIP: HAWAII
Steve and I spent most of the time on the big island and got within just a
few
feet of active flowing lava. We couldnt get closer than a few feet because
our skin began to burn. We hiked and biked and learned about volcanoes. On
Oahu we flew stand bye and for 3 days, the planes had no space for us, so we
got a couple of unexpected days to enjoy on the beach. We happened to run
into
an old highschool friend of mine, Steve Hovsepian. He and his wife took pity
on Steve and myself and took us in for a couple nights. While in Oahu, we
were passengers on a big catamaran ride and got in a head-on collision with
another catamaran. A dramatic event, but fortunately, no major injuries. Wont

forget that.

THIRD USA TRIP: CALIFORNIA MOTORCYCLE STYLE:
We rode motorcycles up the CA coast and down inner CA (including Yosemite).

First Steve and I had to buy motorcyles (a Harley and a Honda). Then we had
to learn to ride them. Then we had to learn how to pack them. Then we had to

go. It took some time to make it happen, but it turned out to be a fantastic

over 1000 mile adventure. The world is more alive and up close on a
motorcycle than a car.

FOURTH USA TRIP: COLORADO
We took 2 road trips to Colorado: one for Steves brother Andys and Tonis
wedding and one for our own travels. We spent about a month at Steves
parents
house and enjoyed catching up with family and friends while we put hours and
hours into the businessy, paperworky, voluminous stuff that needs to be done
when a person leaves their life behind. We also made time for a little snow

boarding.

BEGINNING THE WORLD TRIP:
Now, were finally on the World portion of our trip and so far its excellent.

Weve enjoyed London and Paris so far and tonight we we are heading to Madrid

where we hope to spend the most time. Both London and Paris have exceeded
all
expectations. I have just loved the history, the architecture, and the
people
watching. Ive also met some interesting people.

LONDON HIGHLIGHTS:
-Tour of Westminister Abby where all the coronations take place and where a
lot of famous dead people are burried.
-Enjoying the echoing music of Evensong as St Pauls Cathedral
-Bus and boat tours
-English pubs and Haagendaas icecream in the fun night life of Leicester
Square, Picadilly Circus, and Soho.

PARIS HIGHLIGHTS:
-The Catacombs: underground tunnel/graveyard of thousands of skeletons. A lot

of people who travel Paris never hear of this place, and its really
interesting, a bit erie/creepy, and a piece of history.
-Seeing the great character of gargoiles at the top of Notre Dame and tracing

Quasimotos footsteps up the hundreds and hundreds of stairs to the top of the

bell tower. Decided hes one fit hunchback.
-The Louvre
-Arch d Triumphe

-Other museums
-Moulin Rouge from the outside
-Totally loved the Sunday street/farmers market where I believe we were the
only non-locals.

HIGHLIGHTS OF BOTH LONDON AND PARIS:
-Always, the best of times have been the non-touristy times of walking around

town and trying to interact with people.
-Subways, like m.
-Youth Hostels are fun.

LOWLIGHTS:
-Two of the most expensive cities out there. Looking forward to lower budget

in Madrid.

APPROACHING THE END OF THIS EMAIL:
There you have it, more than you bargained for. I dont know how often Ill
be
able to write (or to check emails), but probably more often than I have up
until now.

BLOGGER SPOT: http://www.melsteveph.blogspot.com
I will post web logs (like a web site without pictures) aka blogs just to say

what Im doing or where I am. I expect that Ill visit it more often than I
will email, so if any of you are interested in updates feel free to visit
http://www.melsteveph.blogspot.com

Thank you Rude Dog for the suggestion.

WEB SITE TO COME HOPEFULLY
Also, Steves brother Andy is working on helping us set up a web site for
better postings and hopefully pictures. But that will come later, and Ill
update you when I know the address.

GOODBYE:
Everything is really great. I hope that some of you consider meeting us
somewhere in the world. We miss you. Life out of a backpack is good, so far

the food is fine, and every day is an adventure.

Til next time,

Love,

Melanie