Dispatch #1

18 May 1998

Hi, everyone!

Sorry I havent written since I left. The first two weeks were all about recuperating from the miserable two months that preceded them. And coming to terms with just what the hell I had done to my life.

But now I am fine, despite the fact this machine will not write apostrophes. So I will not use contractions. Ce est la guerre.

In London I wandered the streets like an urchin. I visited neighborhoods no American has heard of, like Eltham, Brixton, Hampstead, Finsbury. And I stayed in Beckton. I also attended the London production of "Rent." Meanwhile, my buddy Robin, with whom I was staying, introduced me to lots of his friends.

Then it was over the Channel to Paris for a day. And the to Barcelona for three days. And now I am in Sevilla, in the south of Spain. On Thursday, I go to Lagos, on the southern coast of Portugal.

What I have to report, you do not want to hear. Lots of touring, lots of walking. Lots of reading. I have even lost weight; I am down one pants size. See how DULL world travel really is?

Anyway, I will wake you up when things get good. Keep those e-mails coming! I check once or twice a week, when I can.

Love, Jason

---Right now I'm in: Sevilla, Spain