The competitors of the Gobi March 2010 were in for a different camping experience when, after Stage 3, they were accommodated in a home-stay at Peach Village, a traditional Uyghur village made up of 11 families.

It was a treat welcomed by many and one that gave them some insight into the region’s Uyghur culture.

“It was hot and toasty,” said Emma Fergusson about her experience in the village. “It was a nice change. Sleep wasn’t really possible with the heat and our early wake up call, but it was a nice change. I can’t say we did anything, but we did catch part of the World Cup. Our family was watching and we took a look at what was happening.”

Hygiene and some privacy were two benefits of the home-stay, with a stream available for competitors to wash and cool off in. As for privacy, Amanda Clarke said: “A lady let me use her room to change, which was nice because our tent is full of boys.”

Others were simply happy to have a bed to sleep in.

“Literally, it’s a luxury not being in a tent,” Jude Ryan said. “It was staggering that they let us just go into their homes. I can’t imagine we were the most gracious of guests. But the joy of having a mattress to lie on really makes you appreciate the simple things."

While the competitors were not allowed to accept food or fresh fruit from the village farms, volunteers and staff quietly experienced another important part of Uyghur culture – food.

“Abdullah, a village elder who lived in the house where we were staying, had two wives and three kids and he made us noodles from scratch with home grown vegetables from his garden,” said volunteer Judy Dunne.