Ni hao true believers, welcome back to the adventures of Alex Kidd. This week our hero takes to the skies once more only to land in a strange and foreign land where new adventures begin!

When we left our hero last he was down trodden due to an unexcpected change of plan but was rescued by the great adventure Mike! Building himself up for an epic hangover the night before our adventure continues.

We woke up bright and early at 6 am Saturday morning ( as mentioned, I was nursing a hangover from the nights 'atmosphere') and packed to leave for the airport. I was in a room with Stephen, Tim and a random German woman. I felt so sorry for her as I staggerd from the top bunk, practically shoving my foot into her face whilst knocking stuff everywhere then noisley got dressed. Once the others were ready and Mike arrived we set off for the airport, me and Stephen sharing a cab. Here is where I had my first ever 'NDE (Near Death Experince)'. Our taxi drive drove like he was Jason Statham in The Transporter, zooming in and out of trafffic like a lunatic. Up ahead cars suddenly slowed to a halt and started pulling into the second lane. But our taxi driver narrowed his eyes, blew the smoke from his lungs and accelerated like he wanted to hit lightspeed towards the traffic. At the last minute he swerved, narrowly missing the cars in that lane, skidding across the next and into the third lane, carrying on like nothing happend. My chest hair turned jet black and grew a whole inch that day.

We arrived at the airport and got ourselves checked in. Everyone at the airport looked very swathe, dressed in long flowing dresses and cream suits. Then there was us 'Gap yahhh' students looking like tramps, dragging our bags thgrough the airport like quasimodos. There was practically a trail of slime left by us or you would think so considering peoples stares. Security was incrediabley light for everywhere in China excepct Urumqi, Xinjiang due to hight ethnic tension in the area and recent riots. Security was heavy handed checking everything and everywhere. Lets just say my security man was 'thorough' brushing up agaisn't me like he wanted to tango then take me out for dinner. If our eyes had met, he just might have. Intense is not a strong enough word to describe it. Once that ordeal was over the wonderful Tim (who actually learn't a little Manadarin before arrival) orderd some dumplings for breakfast, which were gorgeous, and we boarded the flight.

The flight was standard but so exciting. This was it. We we're finally arriving in Xinjiang and heading off to our home for the year so I sat bouncing with joy whilst watching X-men first class (Fassbender makes everything better). As we landed a sort of sadness kicked in though as I realised we were all departing. After quick goodbyes me and Stephen went through to arrivals.

Here we met our Waiban (carer) Mr. Tian. What a lad. 'Hello boys' has quickly become one of my favourite phrases to hear (sort of sarcastic). He is a really nice man. He just was slightly intermidating at that first meeting and tends to call us at any hour of the day for any reason. Stephanus also met us there, a south african who is a teacher at our school. We introduced oursleves and then headed off to Fukang via minibus. The scenery out of Urumqi and into Fukang was beautiful. We travelled through the desert but could see the snow capped mountains looming giving an awe inspiring contrast the likes of which I had never seen (I'm so poetic). Xinjiang is quickly becoming a industrial area though so amongst the beautiful scenery, mosques and desert were powerplants, construction sites and huge apartments blocks. This is far too familiar a sight now, the whole place is becoming industriallised and whether or not thats a good thing only time can tell.

When we arrived we went straight for lunch in a small hotel in town. Here we were introduced to Sharon, another teacher/south african and Stephanus's wife, and Sam there daughter making up the full La Roux family. These people have become like family to us. Really, Sharon has taken us in like one of her own, Stephanus looks after us well and Sam is very much like a sister. We also met Mike, an American anthropologist from the university of California, who is quickly becoming one of our good friends in China. We had our first taste of Xinjiang cuisine and it is gorgeous but hot. Very hot. Spice is frequentley used in everything (everything can be hotter to them) so I sat dripping sweat like a mongrel, throwing food around the table with my poor chopstick skills, near blinded from spice fumes... I just looked an utter state in all honesty but it was entertaining for the others.

With that we headed to our apartment and boy did we get lucky (pictures of Fukang and the apartment to come). There a living room bit with a sofa and chair, table and TV (a very nice TV at that), a small dining room, a kitchen and bathroom with heated water. I took the bigger bedroom of the two with a beautiful view of the Tian Shan mountains whilst Stephen got the smaller room which is so much easier to clean. We were left to our own devices for a while then headed to the school with our new friends to collect what the previous volunteer, Johnny, has left. If you're reading this Johnny, we owe you. Seriously, Johnny left us so much useful stuff; old lesson plans, lots of money, an iron, an oven (so happy), clothes, teaching equipment.... You're a legend, sir. We ate out in a Kebab restaurant with the La Rouxs that night and I tried garlic sticks, Liver kebabs, lamb and many other meats. It was all delicious (all food everywhere in China seems to be). With that we had our first nights sleep in a Xinjiang bed, which get a special mention, because there hard. Rock solid hard. The temptation to dive into bed has ceased since I lay down on that bed to awaken to shoulder bruises most mornings from turning over. If the terrifying traffic, beds made of steel and minus 40 winters don't make me into a real man this year, I don't think anything ever will.

Sunday was Stephanus birthday so me and Stephen bought him some minature China mugs. He was pleased. We went on a cycle with him and Mike to the resevoir where we got a beautiful view of the mountain (photo to come) and got to see the outskirts of Xinjiang which was nice. We ate out again that night at a Ughyur restaurant thanks to the La Rouxs Ughyur friend Vivian. Vivian is so lovley and has been so good to us since arrival. We ate a few weird dishes (ducks feet included) all ofm which set my mouth alight and were then informed we were sitting at a wedding. Ughyur dancing was in full swing. It's a beautiful dance the local people love to show off with and there was also kazak dancing. We tried to avoid getting up but when Vivians cousin (it was his birthday) came over and asked us to dance we literally could not say no. I stood there wiggiling my arms like Finn and Jake in Adventure time, doing gangnam style and generally disgracing the dance of an entire people with swift pelvic thrusts. If you're all very good there is a video of it which is being kept for blackmail purposes and can be uploaded. We headed home again and settled down satisfied Fukang is the place to be. I love it here so much I can't describe.

And now what you've all been waiting for; teaching. We were instructed by Mr. Tian that I was to follow Stephanus for the week and Stephen Sharon so we could see how to teach. At 8:30 Monday morning we arrived at school for the raising of the flag. 3000 students stood waiting and we stood out of the way with the other teachers. The flag was raised by a small troop of military cadets and Mr Tian took to the stand calling Me and Stephen to join him. From the noise you would have thought it was PSi stepping on stage. We were introduced, waved, and headed to our lovley office. That day I introduced myself tom each class. I was so nervous at first (when you're standing in front of 60 kids all eager to listen to you, it gets intense) but as the day went on it got easier. All the kids are lovley, though there english is very poor, and that nnight we ate out (again) ready for the next day.

I'll leave it at that at this blog is building up to be of epic proportions and near un-readable in length but next time you'll here of more banquets, more foreigners, my first lesson teaching myself, love letters and even more... lets say adventure.

Thanks for reading, please leave comments telling me how you find the blog and if theres anything I can do to improve it,

Alex Kidd signing out,

Excelsior!