Hey Hey and a Big G'Day to you

The day began with a group 'new recruit' photo on the front steps of Bucklands.
I bussed it into Guilin with several new teachers.

Soon I was onboard a rather comfortable bus and heading into Chinas south west. A few hours in, at a road side stop I shed my thermals and as we sped along the highway towards Kunming I watched as the scenery and the colours changed. Everything became a richer and brighter green.

Banana trees began to fill the fields and the smile grew larger upon my happy face.

As the light left the Chinas southern skies and motorists coming our way luckily thankfully put on their head lights we arrived in Tianyang. Of course I had no idea we were there until the girl whom worked on the bus smiled at me and motioned me towards the door. As I stepped off the bus I was welcomed by many people and a huge bunch of flowers. I was introduced to the principal and many teachers. We all filled several little Tuk Tuks and sped away towards...

I had no idea, down that way!

We arrived at the school and I was so happy when they told me the buildings on 'that' side of the fence were a Middle School. Cool, I though, as small I'd hoped for. I was shown my room and after many happy smiles and handshakes I was left with a beautiful young girl whom took me out to the towns most up market restaurant. The girl turned out to be Yang Yang, someone who would become a very close friend and help me as much as I needed over the following months.

She also soon began to make the most awesome meals I've ever tasted in China.

As I write this I'm settling into my new place of living. It's very simple and comfortable. I have everything I need which isn't much. Mainly a wok, a gas bottle for the shower water, a bed, a computer (looks outta place here) and some cane chairs and a table. Everything is tiled like everywhere in china, easy to clean but bloody chilly! My computer is in Chinese so it's lucky I know most of where things are on XP.

Also lucky for me I bought my own version of XP.

It seems that there have been only two foreign people in town in the past that the school and teachers know of and they were the last two teachers. Prior to me there was a fellow Aussie and an American. The town is exactly what I search for when I travel, not a bit of English, barely any street signs, dirt and cobble stone alleys and roads and of course the street stalls selling noodle soup and the dirty outdoor market place.

I love it already!

I'm being looked after by two lovely Chinese girls, Yang Yang who is 21 and Mandy who is 25. They know English well enough and both are very cute indeed! We have just been for a walk to the bank to open an account but there were so many people we left and spent time eating fried fish, tofu and chicken feet instead. All the good stuff...MMMMMMMM! I have my first class on Tuesday. I'm going to sit in and watch Monday. It's funny, everyone here has layers of clothing on and I'm walking around in a tee-shirt.

I don't feel cold at all.

Oh well, time for a beer and to watch some Chinese television.
Gee, I've missed that over the past five years NOT!

Beers N Noodles Toya...shane