W1B-003 Thailand letters 1-2.txt
29 Ardmore Drive Belfast (Ages ago…)

<&Thai> Sa wa dee ka

Lynnie!! How's things? I realise you 're probably not in Khorat to get this as yer probably off in Vietnam or something cosmic like that!! It's a pity its so expensive to phone. Anyway, the job sounds great. I haven't got your letter yet – I hope it comes soon as I 'm dying to hear more about it. Do you honestly think I 'd be able to do it?? I 'm a bit worried about going out not being able to do it or whatever. My parents are willing to lend me the cash to get out there (again!!) I 'm still in the Fair Trade shop (month 9 – can U believe it!?) How long is this job in Thailand for? Are you leaving T'land to go to Coleraine in September?? Or are U you gonna going to stay on a bit? I 'm a bit worried about being in Khorat on my todd – although I 'd probably be settled enough by the time you left. It's just that I can only speak about 3 fucking words of Thai!!

Anyway, your letter was great – sounds like a totally mad time!! Your 46 year old drinking partner sounds like a serious character all right. Carel's still in Hungary. She didn't enjoy it at all at first but she seems to be getting into it all right now. This won't get to you in time probably but …

!! HAPPY ST. PADDY'S DAY!! I hope you get totally pissed wherever you were!

Life here is just O.K. The weather is picking up a bit, job isn't as bad as it was, I 'm still totally fucking skint all the time I 've basically been getting plastered loads being very silly indeed. I 've been going out with this guy Larry for about 5 or 6 months now (sort of) he's great crack, dead sweet, sensitive intelligent …. and he doesn't like penetrative sex!! What!?! I know – does my fuckin' head in. I reckon maybe he's a closet gay – only joking. So I 've been a bit sexually frustrated – I quite fancy the idea of being a lesbian instead – or bi anyway – Whaddya reckon babe!? My mate Ellen has sort of got a thing going with a really sexy girl we met in the Parliament (my favourite haunt these days)– its all rather hilarious – she's been running about like a horny 16 year old virgin!

Anyway, I have, as usual, been basically getting shitfaced till that bastard phenomenon reality is but a mere speck on the horizon, grinding my teeth through the daily chores of being assistant manager of this dear shop biding my time to do the RSA Tefl in Queen's in July. Yes, every year up till this one it was £ 360 or something. This year its £ 725. If I stuck this job till the end of my contract (end of June) I 'd get £ 250 towards it I 've also got £ 250 from the trust funds so it's still a possible option. At least then I 'd have a bit of confidence when I went wherever to teach. But really, I can't be arsed with being so skint etc for another 3 1/2 months then U told me about the job it sounds great I guess I can always do the Tefl another time etc etc etc. God to think I could be out there with you dead soon – mad! I need to know more about the job first though I think. For once in my life I 'm trying to think what 'll be best career wise etc. Lots of people keep telling me to stick at this job do the good tefl blah blah blah. I don't think I want to. This job sounds too good to be true – although I realise its not definate yet or anything. Whaaa! I wanna go diving I wanna go to Vietnam, or maybe Australia or who knows!! What's your plans?? Fancy a bit a Cambodia, eh what? All that "war torn society" business … Talking of which, there's soldiers all over the show here – everywhere ya fuckin' look! Does my face in big time!!!

Well, I 've decided I 'm gonna go ask Gene Your Nessa's boyfriend for his advice about what I should do … - he's always so sensible & 'global' thinking. I 'm in a bit of a rut, but it's a very cosy, comfortable rut my usual hard-nosed "I can go anywhere do anything" attitude is rather fuzzy. He 'll probably give me a couple of good answers to all these little queries. Lordy knows I need 'em!! I have to decide real soon as the cheaper shitty tefl is at the end of March. EEK! There's an even shitier cheaper one in Stranmillis – finishes on 18th April – which is rather late to being going out to T'land. I mean I could do with a couple of weeks to chill, get used to culture, heat other chaos that place is!!!

I know I probably would be wasting time £ doing the cheap shity ones, but I don't think I could go all the way to T'land to teach with absolutely nothing! I 'd be keeking myself the whole time.

Whaddya think? Sorry this letter is such a ramble, but this is me trying to be sensible!!!

Did you get yourself a motorbike? We 'd have to get one between us if not. And (just a wee thought)– I don't know if you 're paying rent or not, but if I got this job came over, as you said yerself, I could get a mansion for £ 200 a month – with air-con a shower etc – we could both live in it then U wouldn't have to spend money on rent. Besides it would be excellent to share a place – I 'd much rather! What larks would be had!! Whaddya think?

Have you seen Aat yet? I kind of hope not for your sake, though it sounds like yer well over that anyway!!!

Well me dear, I 'll love ya leave ya hopefully see you soon. By the way, I don't know if U sent a fax but it didn't arrive if U did. The number is 01447 674528 – could be that our fax machine is a load of wank. Stay in touch ASAP – I look forward to getting your letter –

Lots of love ginger beer good ol' Irish wwwhiskey,

Elaine XOXOXO P.S. Please try let me know A.S.A.P what the job entails! Cheers me lovely! xo
