W1B-012 Donegal letters-2.txt
September 3rd Rathmullan.

Well Viv, You 've just given me your address so I thought I 'd sit down and right you a wee letter before it's time for work. I 've nothing very exciting to tell you but anyway. Like I was saying I 'm working in the Water's Edge. Its ok. I don't mind the actual work but I hate having the Meaneys for my bosses. Money-grabbing, greedy bastards with no consciences. Pay's shit - £ 3 but tips are usually good enough - other waitresses are nice apart from one or two. New bloke started a couple of days ago. He's SOOO stupid. Every time I see him I just want to slap him. He walks around with this really gormless expression on his face all day long, spills food on people - forgets to leave orders with the chef etc etc. And I suspect he pockets the tips - we 're supposed to share them out at the end of the night. Oh well.

I had a superb, fantastic + wondrous time in Ecuador - even better than last year, love the place so much + can't wait to go back. I 'm dead excited about going to Cuba too - but need to start gathering in the money fast. I have to have paid 80% of the sponsorship £ 1800 by November 5th - gasp! I 'll do it no problem though. I guess. I just need to focus for a white. My biggest problem is that all the money I collect here, I have to convert to sterling and could lose up to 23p in the £ - Imagine. So expensive. I got my funding in the end up for this masters - only fees though. So I 've applied for a couple of jobs in Queen's - in the library + in QFT, which would be spot on + £ 3.60 for doing nothing much at all.

Our new house is dead on. It needs a lick of paint, which I 'll do next week on my days off, probably. I 'm really happy to be living in a small house with just Nuala + Ciara - no smeggy boys around the place. You 'll have to pay us regular visits before you head away to Ozzie land. Did I tell you Declan's going to stay on there? He decided he likes it so much he doesn't want to come home so he 'll be here in November for three weeks holidays + then back out.

Mickey and me finished on amicable terms - just to put your mind at rest!! And he said if I ever wanted to go back out just to say the word - so fear not! But seriously, I just don't fancy him in any way anymore, tis well weird - that I was sooo into him + now just can't imagine going out with him at all. I think maybe it was so wonderful before I left just because he was such a babe. I totally fancied him of course + it was a brilliant way to not get stressed during finals - how relaxed was I? That sounds really cruel but the more I think about it the more spot-on it seems. Plus the fact that he treated me really well + we had nice romantic walks in the park + dinners + just messed about together all day, every day. But when it boils down to it, we never had very much in common. You know?

Sorry to blabber on Vivian but it's helping me get my ideas straight in my own head too - poor you!

As for Kevin - he's very cool + I like him a whole heap. We told each other we loved each other in Ba&~nos after only being together a few days - but not as in "in love" but just like when you meet someone + get on like a house on fire + you feel really excited about getting to know each other better - it could be a friend you know what I mean? I was very self-controlled + nothing much went on because of Michael, but it was very intense + brilliant + we 've spoken on the phone quite often since I got back + emails every day. He's going to try + come over for my b'day in November, but he's having huge money problems at the moment. So I 'm trying not to get my hopes up about it happening. One way or another, he's coming to Cuba in January for definite so at worst we 'll see each other there. I 'm extending my flight for 10 days after the cycling trip is over to travel a bit, avec B. I figure there's no point in going all that way and not seeing a bit more of the place. Chance of a lifetime + all that. I 'll be getting a loan from the good old Northern Bank to pay for it. Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!!! God I love travelling. <&Spanish> Que mas?

Oh yeah, Caoimhe + me are doing a Reiki course in Derry all day tomorrow. It's chinese energy healing - channeling the heat + energy from your body, laying on of hands (!)- type-thing. It should be interesting, a giggle if nothing else. Caoimhe's in great form. She's working in Toomey's at the weekends so we 've been having a good time together for the last few weeks. It's good to have someone around to chat to. Otherwise I 'd have cracked up ages ago in the house.

I haven't been speaking to Rosbeg since I came home but her uncle died last week. She's still in Galway. I don't know what her plans are. Janet's (the australian girl I met in Ecuador) coming home this weekend - she lives in Dublin. Can't wait to see her, she's very cool.

I 'm applying for my provisional driving license at the minute. Supposedly I 'm going to learn to drive - that's the plan anyway. I 'm dying to get my test done and all that but realistically it 'll take months to get myself organised.

Right dear, I 'll have to go now cause I 've a few things to do before I go to work. I hope I haven't bored you silly with my ramblings.

Thanks a million for phoning + call again if you get the chance or write or email, whatever. Say hi to everyone else. Take care + I 'll see you soon.

Love + hugs, Rach XX.
