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• -mal THE RAID I feel there needs to be some clarification of my last article in blue regard ing the Raid Gauloises ("Raid Alert ," June 1999). My observations and feel ings were shared by numerous other athletes at the race as well as others in the adventure racing community. The Raid, unlike other race organiza tions, actually listens to their athletes. They have whole-heartedly embraced the athletes' feelings and suggestions for the 10th anniversary edition in China, Nepal and Tibet in April 2000. The Raid, like any large organization, needs to adjust to change of leadership , which it appears to have done for the 10th edition. The majesty and comradery of this event will always shine through temporary setbacks. Being one of the longest-active adventure racers in the US-I participated in my first Raid in Oman in 1992-1 have a unique perspec tive. Unfortunately, as the sport of adventure racing has grown, I have seen many neophytes to sport shamelessly banter about their own self-impor tance. For me, success is a journey, not a destination. My resume is beyond reproach in this aspect, which is more than can be said about Traceyn Thayer's. Thayer's list of "finished" races is one of the most convoluted resumes I have ever seen. I am not sure I wi ll see Thayer .out there again but if I do, I wi ll remind her that the joy is in the journey. Jim Garfield Los Angeles, CA SNOW To pacify myself one afternoon, I stopped by Universal News Cafe on my way home to check out the new issue of blue (December 1999). The first thing I read was the "Letter." One thing can sum up my feelings: AMEN. It's so heartening to see a company with the big picture in mind. I had begun to think that I would have to settle for working for a company that was just a part of the same rat race as everyone else. A depressing thought indeed. I have been a river guide for the past seven years and, like you and your staff, have quite a different notion of what's really important in I ife. When you wrote about how "we set the bar," I started to take heart. Then, when I read on to where you talk about working for a com pany that "has set values similar to your own," I breathed a sigh of relief . Yes, there are people out there who remember what life is for and refuse to allow it to pass by unnoticed for the sake of stuffing more greenery into their pockets. Of course, I knew all of this before , but sometimes you just need to hear it from someone else. Thank you for being that someone. Good luck to blue. And thank you again. Angels appear in the --------------------� ! / 8]1 CUBA & FLY FISHING Hello from Myanmar! Over the past eight months I have been traveling around the world with a flying eye hospital dedicated to teaching modern eye care to developing countries. When I'm home in Boston, I read hundreds of magazines every month. While out in the field the only publication I have sent regularly is blue. Your Cuba issue (March 1999) has me eagerly wait ing for your mission in Havana next spring. Our flight mechanic happens to be the American fly-fishing team captain. In Cuba, he'll attempt to teach me this uncool sport of "throwing bugs and wasting large amounts of time ... " (Tim Parr, blue, September 1999) Thank you for creating such a revolutionary publication. I wish you great success! Inge Milde Rangoon, Myanmar 14 PLEASE SEND LEITERS, COMMENTS AND IDEAS BY POST: 611 BROADWAY, SUITE 405, NEW YORK, NY, 10012, USA, AITN: 8-MAIL. BY EMAIL: b-mail@bluemagazine.com Letters will be edited for and