"Melissa"

Hi, I'm Melissa Field...

After recovering from eating some undeseribale Yak meat in Mongolia I made it over to Italy for the adventure of a lifetime! Let me start with how I got interested in sailing.

A few years ago I was working at a research base in Antartica. I was heavily involved in the science and made some ground breaking discoveries. To be more specific I was washing dishes of some scientists who made ground breaking discoveries. For 60 hours a week I scrubbed pots, pans, dishes, floors, grease traps and anything else between the walls of the galley. I was lucky enough to spend half my time at a day camp where I washed more dishes and did some prep cooking. It was here that I learned that people are what makes you happy. I made some incredible friends, one of whom told me about his experiences sailing around the South Pacific.

He told me that if I was brave I could go down to the docks in New Zealand (that's where they ship you off to when you leave Antarctica) and begin asking who wanted to take me aboard. This sounded incredible. Sailing around the world and seeing places I had only dreamed of. When I left Antarctica I was in no position to solicit myself as a cheerful crew member. I was fried from all the experiences, which is a whole nother story. Instead I skipped off to South East Asia and spent my money on fresh fish and Tsing Tao Beer. I came back to life and returned home to open arms.

Of course after a month my mom wanted to know exactly how long I planned to stay... so I went for the most logical thing - a winter in the Alaskan arctic! I looked at pictures of the lodge, which was located in a village with an overwhelming population of 25. Most people were curious about this village up in the arctic and I had to see the other half of the frozen world. So I set out in the name of exploration and ended up in Bettles.

I was further from the docks than I had ever been, but I didn't give up my dream of setting sail. I continued to check the website 7knots when I could. In the meantime my friend and I thought about taking the trans Siberian rail across Russia, with a detour through Mongolia. This plan fell through, but I had Mongolia on the front of my mind now. I said you know what, to hell with it, I'm still going. So I bought a ticket to Beijing and planned to take the train up. Then along came John and his trip through the Mediteranean. This sounds perfect! But I'm already booked to Asia. What's a girl to do???

Fate stepped in and took out Maria. With Maria out John said I could come late and we'd meet in Italy. I was thrilled beyond reason and now had to figure out how to get some shorts and swim suit, seeing as I'd only packed for a winter in Alaska. My parents met me in Seattle and brought me a few things. Everything else was shipped home. I bought a few things alone the way, but for the most part I've adapted to having as little as possible.

Mongolia was an incredible place. I really enjoyed staying in ger tents and learning about the life of the nomadic families. I also learned about the kindness of strangers and always felt safe. I made it over to Italy and here I am on the boat! Thanks to John's patience I am having a great time and wondering how I got so lucky. Life on the boat is relaxing and really breaks you from the addictions we constantly face. Do I miss cell phones and traffic? Hmmm... not for a second. Although I am dying to know what happened on this season of Lost. Is Jack's father dead? Are Kate and Sawyer together? So many questions!

Oh yeah, the basics. I am 26, from California and one of two girls. I dropped out of college and my dear parents swear I'm still making them proud. I like to read and excerise in any form is really important to me. I'm listening to Paula Abdul on Greg's computer but my first love is Van Morrison. I'm also a huge fan of Tears for Fears. They'll turn any frown upside down. If you want to find me email me at arcticmelissa at gmail.com. If you actually want me to respond you'll need to email me on the boat until Sep boutonniere AT uuplus.com.

Captain's Note:

Greg's Note: We are SO grateful for Melissa. She is intelligent, pretty, funny, she is just really fun to have with us. She is also an amazing adventurer. As you read in her bio, she has been to places most people will never visit in a lifetime. She has also saved us from starvation! This girl can cook up a storm. I am convinced that the sailing gods love us again. While we were stuck in Palma, Melissa toured the sites of Rome. When we all finally hooked up she was gracious enough to lead our site-seeing expedition. Anyway, she is the shining star on board and we are very lucky to have her. I do feel a little threatened though; she learned to tie a "bowline" knot right away and I still can't figure it out.