That picture is completely unrelated, once again, to the post, but nevermind. As it's there, I will say a word or two about it anyway. This was the evening meal during PT's visit to see us in Kuitun. Tom took the photo, so unfortunately he's not in it, but you can still see Ingrid on the right. The restaurant is a favourite of mine. It's a fancy uighur-style restaurant which has the most amazing kebabs as it's speciality. Uighur food is, of course, some of the best food in Xinjiang so it's always a treat to go to this particular restaurant.

Now, onto international education week again. As I expected, I had a bit more luck with getting my Tuesday classes involved. I've now managed to get a handful of students excited about the chance to write letters to the UK - one is even going to write two letters; one in English, one in Chinese! So far, none of my classes have attempted to write a letter during class, but as long as I have a handful of students that want to write a letter in their spare time, that's great news. As of today, that's exactly what I have.

One thing that is interesting for me, and proof that as a teacher, you learn from your students, is the answers I get for my introductory questions. It seems that in China, some students want a good job not for the money, but to help the country become better. That is a seriously big difference in priorities. I have seen this desire to help the country and fellow people over oneself quite a lot in China already. One example is my police officer friend, John (li xiang). He studied sculpture and having seen his work, I can safely say he is one of the best sculptors i've met. Yet now, he has put down his tools to become a police officer. I asked him why he chose to do that, and his answer wasn't 'for the money' but instead because he wanted to help and protect the people. People over money - I'd say that's a better way of thinking.

I'm actually lacking things to say to day, so I may just leave it at that today.