SHAKKA - Ka - SHAKKA.

Both of us now deal with the Scottish public and its not the easiest accent in the world. Not as difficult say, as trying to understand the Irish, or the French but still reasonably difficult. You know when your sister or Aunt Stef tries telling you a story with her mouth full of spaghetti, and no-one understands whats she's saying, but you get the impression that whatever she's saying is funny, because pasta sauce is dribbling out of her nose, from the sparodic burts of giggles she's fighting. Its sort of like that.

Really, what am I saying? *Sigh*.
Im in the Bar, Brads in the Restuarant. We're actually enjoying what we're doing, but its a little depressing as the town is almost socially featureless, with almost no attractions save for the United Kingdoms largest mountain called Ben Nevis. The looming, bare plained Mountain, surfaced by wet shiny rocks, and small cascading waterfalls derives its name from a local passing River. This I was surprised to be told. Firstly i figured the name was derived from some bumbling explorer, but Ben in fact means large hill and the Nevis is just the local River or Valley.
With its steep hills and treacherous cliffs, the town has attracted some of the worlds most hardcore extreme Mountain Bike enthusiasts. And every year, Cyclists from around the world journey here to test their skills. Here is the place where they hold the qualifications for the 2008 Beijing games, so alot of people are taking it really seriously. So serious that no-ones been buying alcohol. So when the town expected a business boom in the alcohol trade, instead they've experienced a boom in overstaffing.

I cant complain, Im being paid to lean on a drink fridge.
Finding the job: Upon calling the Alexandra, we were very surprised by how enthusiastic (or desperate) they were to have us on board. Obviously frightened by the impending influx of cyclists and their accompanying support (such as friends, family) and just simply journeying tourists, they hauled us on board, threw us into our own departments and prepared themselves for the mad, crazy, money spending business that was about to take place.....I laugh because it didnt.

EXCEPT FOR ONE NIGHT!!!! We're the moon shone out - its pale rays of light turning people in groves, into malicous wolves seeking solace in alcoholic beverages. I lost an arm as I handed a pint to one deeply thirsty Scotsman. Brad lost a shoulder, he survived by applying pressure to the wound and then by applying band aids. Lots of band aids.

We started in the Hotel - as it was live-in accomodation, we were thrown into a room of minimal opulence, a view that aesthetically equates to the inside of a shoe box and then we were subsequently kicked out out of our work place and into the home of one of the bosses Mums. Her name was Effie, and she was wonderful. As Brad has already stated. She fed us. She washed our clothes. She made me lots and lots of tea and provided us with the best bedding we've experienced insofar. There for 6-8 days (cant recall) we were taxi-ed to and from work (quite often, seperately), at the Hotels expense.

One word to describe the staff would be "multicultural". South Africans, New Zealanders, Czech Republic-ans, Chinese, Hungarians and of course Australians. All the Aussie guys we've met, are (to quote one of them) all champions. Tonight, as we are now all situated back in the hotel are celebrating tonight by having a couple of pints.

I'm constantly impeded in most physical activities by my ingrown, infected toenail. I got back after work the other night and there was a red and yellowing stain in the fabric. The sock I stuck under Brads pillow, he moaned all night then informed me in the morning he experienced the most disturbing dreams. Funny that. (Nah Im just kidding.)

The Australian fellows here are all extremely cheeky and funny. Brinn and Chad, two mates who like us are travelling together, have told us of several of their slightly illegitimate doings and unethical behaviour. Chad, who cleans rooms will casually take one of the customers protein bars lying about the room. Stroll through the Supermarket eating a double serving of Sushi before deposting the packaging behind the shelf of chips. Some of it's really not that intelligent, and its caught themout once or twice, but it makes some of the best stories. Then theres Tristan, a lone traveller, and Brad's side-man in the restaurant. Them two talk and talk, laugh and scheme. We have this psuedo bullshitting competition going on, where we tell the other (with the help of other staff members) some obscure, random and ridiculous story in an attempt to trick them. 2 nights ago, I convinced Tristan, with the help of my Boss in the Bar (Brian) a waitress (Joanna) and Brad that a small meteorite crashed down by the lake sometime throughout the shift. He swallowed it hook line and sinker. Brad and I absoloutley pissed ourselves.