From: "jon mellor" <rtwjon@hotmail.com>

Date: January 18, 2004 3:07:52 PM EST

Hi All,

Wow, this is such an incredible country! Just got back from a 3-day walk through the Usambara Mountains it was incredible. One of the greatest things I've ever experienced. I went through towns where they only see white people every several weeks. All the children would run up to me yelling "muzungo, muzungo!!" which means "white man, white man!" They wanted me to take their pictures, they especially liked my digital camera b/c they could see themselves! They also wanted to touch my hair or just stair at me. They are the friendliest warmest people I've ever met! It's such a strange sensation to be in such a strange land, where everyone notices you! Man I love to travel! I had an awesome guide named Yassin, he is a Rasta man. Really beautiful landscape too!

I'm in Zanzibar now, in a town called Stone Town. It's amazing, mostly Islamic, and very cool. Lots of small narrow streets, easy to get lost in, but according to everyone extremely safe! I'm headed up to the party beaches tomorrow for a few days and then back to Stone Town. After that I'm headed down to Malawi and Victoria Falls, but I'm already a week behind schedule! Oh well! There is an incredible seafood market here where I had dinner. Fresh lobster for $2! Fresh fish for $1! I ate quite a lot!

well gotta go now

cheers!

jon

ps

the pics are coming soon (i hope!). been busy and haven't been able to upload them yet...