"There are a billion people in China. It's not easy to be an individual in a crowd of more than a billion people. Think of it. More than a BILLION people. That means even if you're a one-in-a-million type of guy, there are still a thousand guys exactly like you." -A. Whitney Brown

The Beginning (again)

Declaration

*Please don't worry if a fire is occurring. We hotel have owned superior scatting facilities to ansure you transmitted safely.
*Please follow the direction route to the corridor and there safeguards will take you out to the security belts.
*Point profess your excellency seat.
-sign on my hotel room door in Urumxi

Now, I'm a guy who is amused by signs like 'SLOW CHILDREN PLAYING,' so I envision countless hours of future entertainment. Of course, if I ever need to follow any of these instructions, my enjoyment could be short-lived.

I accepted this teaching position while I was still in Thailand, and I chose this one in particular for several reasons. One, it did not begin until late August, allowing me to spend a few months back in the States. Two, I was intrigued by the region I'd be living in (more on this in future blogs). And three, they offered a one-semester contract. Since this is my first exposure to teaching and living in China, I was reluctant to commit for a full year. Better, I thought, to play it as it comes.

My flight from L.A. was direct to Beijing, and then I had a few hours until my flight to Urumxi, the capital of Xinjiang. I was met in Urumxi by Alena, the school official that I had arranged my employment with. We went from airport to a very plush hotel (owned by the same company I would be working for in Korla).

I crashed for a bit, and then met Alena for a delicious dinner in the hotel. Afterwards, I watched the Olympics for awhile before calling it a day. Or a night. Or whatever time my jet-lagged body thought it was.

The Olympics ran for another five days after my arrival, and the advantage of watching it in China was that it was covered by a variety of channels. This meant that I had a choice as to which event I was watching (and could view women's gymnastics instead of the men's marathon).

The second day in Urumxi we proceeded to the hospital, where I had an ecg, ultrasound, x-ray, blood and urine test....the whole works. I think the body hair on my chest was an unusual phenomena, and it was quite a process to make the suction cups adhere.

At any rate, we were told to return the following afternoon for the results and for my health document. This gave us the day to visit the cultural museum and Uigher bazzar, and to endulge in a couple more gastronomical experiences. Alena has proved to be a friendly and gracious host, with very good English.

The next day, we returned to the hospital, where it was pronounced that I had no abnormalities (if only they knew), and at 8 pm we caught a 12-hour train ride to the city of Korla. Which is where I am now.

The last few days were spent settling into my apartment, and getting to know the area a little. Not much English spoken here, and I've taken digital pictures of the popular dishes. This way, when I go into a restaurant, I can show them what I want on the screen of my camera (thanks, Linda).

So language will be one of the first orders of business, at least enough for restaurants and the marketplaces.

This morning I will teach a 'trial lesson,' something that every teacher (both Chinese and foreign) does before starting actual classes. I will be giving this lesson to 3rd graders, and the topic is 'feelings' (don't be alarmed; I won't be singing the song).

In the near future, I plan to write a little about this region, this city, and the compound in which I am living. But for now, off to share the meaning of happy, sad, angry, etc. Wish me luck!

Guess which picture depicts the teacher in China