China 7 months: Cheap DVDs and suicidal taxi drivers

It was the weekend and as is the routine of most students, i went to Yantai city and around Muping. We took a taxi van into town. The Chinese style of driving has to be experienced to be believed.

The taxi driver plays Chinese style happy hardcore with an 80's twist as his driving. At one point our taxi driver who has a similar glare to Clint Eastwood, with a hint of a Jack Nicholson (think One flew over the cuckoo's nest) expression, decided that driving on four empty lanes simply was not good enough. He crossed lanes into on coming traffic and played chicken with a lorry. It was the funniest thing. The thing is, his not an exception but the complete norm.

Wanna go for a ride kid.

A majority of the people i was with wanted to checkout the DVD store, so that's where we headed for. We arrived safely to find a store that had a second entrance behind one of its posters. Illegal DVDs galore and at 40p a pop, not bad. I did not buy any as I do not have any room in my back pack but everyone else when absolutely "nuts". I've never seen a group of people so happy. You could buy the box set of the 24 series 1-5 for only 6 pounds and it was good quality. We later asked the driver to take us to a restaurant that was cheap and good. We had our own private room. It was not flashy but nice. All we wanted was meat, veg and some rice. They brung in 9 plates of food, good food, and we each had about 4 drinks each and individually it cost less than 2 pound each.



I'm liking China and the other students. Starting to feel very much at home here.

China 7 months: Shaolin Step Crawling

Not far from the academy, about a 40min walk away is a cave where the 8 Immortals have said to have been and where Zen Buddhism started. To get to the cave you must go up the mountain near by (same place where Mantis is taught) and also up a long collection of steps. Tom and I decided to visit there after breakfast with the intent of crawling down the steps, old school Shaolin style, hardcore baby!

Hardcore Shaolin style

I had done a lot of crawling training before. It's fantastic exercise. I only did 4 main crawls; the Alligator, side ways, the Caterpillar and the bear but never down steps. So i was looking forward to trying something new.

I heard a couple of the guys here had done it and said it was one of the hardest exercises they have ever done. This made me curious.

We reached the top of the steps and caught our breath before entering the cave. Just walking up the steps themselves is exercise and it's also very humid here to. On entering the small cave we were greeted with 8 statues of the 8 immortals and pillows on the floor so as to kneel before the statues. I sat in a traditional Japanese kneeling pose and Tom in a cross legged position. It was so calm and peaceful in the cave. I felt my breathing slow and my heart drop about 10 beats. My mind was clear and relaxed; this is truly a wonderful place to visit.

After meditating for a while we climbed to the top of the mountain and took in the amazing view of the far reaching landscape of which included the Academy.

Loved the views.

The longest journey starts with the first step.

Came back down to the cave and started the crawl down the steps. Straight away my back started aching, then my shoulders, then my abs. I was in real trouble. About 15min in, the sweat started pouring off Tom and I which is understandable as it was about 30+degrees and the sun was unrelenting. We had a strategy of picking a point and having a 30sec rest when we reached it. My mind kept on telling me to stop but I knew that when I eventually make it to the end I would be a better human being than I was at the beginning. A very strong motivating thought.

"i will be a better Human Being, i will be a better Human Being"

About half way, just before the longest and steepest part of the crawl, a group of Chinese tourists came by and started taking photos and talking to us. I think it was a girls school. They must have thought "what are these crazy white boys doing". One of the teachers could speak a little English and was inquiring to what we were doing. We explained that this is traditional Shaolin training. He seemed interested. The girls seemed struck. I felt like David Beckham. They were taking photos, filming us and giggling every 5 seconds. I suppose we are a slightly unusual sight as we were English, crawling, had are tops off and Tom is covered in tattoos. It was real funny experience and gave us an fortuitous opportunity to rest.

It was hard going all the way, especially as I had cut my hand about half way and loss about 50% of water from my body from sweating. We finished in about 30-40min, felt awesome and had some food which was simply some nuts.


Tom and I agreed to train later in the day. It had everything, deadlifts, burpees, skipping, pull ups, press ups, sprints, bag beat and a lot more. Bag beat is lying a punch bag on the floor getting on top of it UFC style and beating it none stop for 45sec. I just pretend that the bag is someone who has tried to steal my steak. I suggest everyone try this as it is great fun. Remember you have to go all out psycho on the bag, otherwise there is no point. My veins had popped up, and adrenaline pumping after that session I was on cloud nine. Ori saw me and said I looked pumped I replied "it's the chi flowing."


It was 8pm and I finished the book "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz. It was given to me for the trip from my work colleague Ken. It is a cool book, very easy to read and sums up and explains everything nicely. It is a spiritual/motivational type book. I would recommend.

The Four Agreements is a very simple book to read and understand. Don Miguel uses the knowledge and principles of the Toltecs; a ancient group of of scientists, artists and spiritualists to help people of today survive modern age.

Basically, four precepts are put forward in which the reader should try to implement into daily life.

These are:

1. Be Impeccable With Your Words

2. Don't Take Anything Personally

3. Don't Make Assumptions

4. Always Do Your Best


The author explains each one in such a simple way that you can immediately put the words into action or well at least try. Everything takes practice including the agreements.

What i really liked about the book is it's simplicity and straight forward approach. You can easily read this book over and over again and each time it will enforce what has already been learned.

Sleep by 9.

China 7 months: First Mantis Lesson

First session of Praying Mantis consisted of a 10min jog, static stretches, dynamic stretches and hip mobility exercises. First thing the Master did was put me in a horse stance with both arms up and i was told hold this pose. I held this pose for what seemed like an eternity. We were in a small, dark room, the sun was shining so brightly outside, sweat pouring from my body, my arms and legs were shaking. I knew I was in the right place.




The master made Seb, a new student, practice holding different stances for pretty much the whole session to.




The afternoon session was held up in the mountains. About a 30 min walk from the academy. It is always hot and it's up hill all the way; excellent.

This place looks amazing but is not as tranquil as it looks as there is a building site not too far away.I think a temple is being built as a future tourist attraction.



The Mantis students consisted of mostly English and one Canadian. All young guys. I and Seb being the eldest.

It was a good day.

China 7 months: First "Real" Day

Both Ori and I woke up for our first "real" day at the Academy. Arrived early for the Tai Chi class that starts at 6am. This gave us an opportunity to talk to some of the students that had also turned up early. Whilst talking we found out recently a student had broken his leg during sparring and another had dislocated his shoulder and quite a few had sprained or injured their ankles. This got me thinking a little, but wasn't phased at all.

Tai chi and chi kung were cool but the Tai Chi was a little slow and I felt pointless for me but chi kung I felt had a purpose. Breathing is the most functional movement and air and all the goodness it contains is the second in importance in my nutritional hierachy.

Breakfast consisted of over boiled eggs. They heat the eggs up every morning until the students have eaten them. Everyone seemed to have porridge which they bought from the city shops. The academy supplies soya milk powder to mix with the porridge and hot water.

Today was a tour of all the classes of which there is 1 Baji, 3 Shaolin and 1 Praying Mantis class. Firstly though was the introduction of Ori and I to the 30 or so students. Whilst outside we stood in front of the other students and introduced ourselves then one by one to the Masters and translators. After that it started to rain and one of the Masters shouted something and everyone started to run out of the school towards a near by hill. So I followed. As I was running over the rocky ground, in the rain, my blood pumping, lungs working, taking in the majestic view of the near by mountains I started to feel good.

Shaolin

After the run which was only about 10 min Rollend proceeded to show and explain each class to us.

I wanted to do Shaolin as that's the one i've heard of and upon viewing it's the most suited to my personality and physical attributes and Mantis just looks funny. Though one of the Shaolin Masters advised me to train in Praying Mantis as he felt i wasn't strong enough. A little strange as in my opinion i would be in the top 5 based upon athleticism out of the students of the school. But i went with the flow and agreed to a 2 week trial of Mantis. Ori chose Shaolin and was accepted without incidence.

Deadly but funny looking.

The day went pretty quick. Dinner consisted of a plate of rice, chopped onions, cabbage with meat that no one seemed to know what it was. I was expecting a bowl of watery rice so I was pleasantly surprised but pretty much every other student hates the food.

Later whilst shivering from the freezing cold shower in one of the dirtiest showers I have ever seen, I quietly smiled to myself and again felt good.

The shower i shared with the bugs and frogs

China 7 months: The Hike

As I was eating my boiled eggs on Sunday morning with Ori and Tom. Tom is a 20 year old from a town not to far from Middleborough and is going to be, in my opinion a "double hard bastard". Rollend (interpreter) comes to our table and asked in an excited voice "do you want to go for a hike". We all said yes, packed some supplies and off we went. The hike was to the Kunyu Shan National Park. Just walking to the national park was a worth while experiencing simply because the beauty of the surroundings. There is usually a charge for visiting the park but students from the academy get in free. This is an attempt to encourage foreigners over and turn the park into a tourist attraction which I feel will only lead to the downfall of this wonderful area.

Soon as we entered the park it was amazingly tranquil and stunning. I'm a city boy so was in awe of the place. Rollend mentioned that we are going to the highest peak in Yantai and we have to go up some stairs to get there. But before that there is about 1.5-2hr walk which was fine by me.

We walked past mountains, rivers, lakes and waterfalls and just chatted and took photos. It was an extremely hot and I started to feel a little sun burnt already. My ancestry is Irish so i'm not really built for the Sun. We checked out some cave like structures. It was fantastic. About 2hrs later we played around on a rope bridge which was by the steps.

Now you know what a potential "double hard bastard" looks like

The road to paradise

About an hour into the steps which seemed to go on forever and reminded me of the steps in Ace Ventura 2, we had sweat pouring off us all, except strangely energetic Rollend.

We passed a well and Rollend drops to the floor and fills his empty bottle with the well water which the local animals probably think twice about drinking. He jumps up and explains the virtues of the water whilst I, Ori, Tom and the Chinese around us look at him in amazement.

The steps that go on forever

The Chinese seem very friendly. As we were walking up uttering "ni hao" to all the Chinese they respond by smiling and repeating, some even spoke a little English and say "hello".

Love these views

We took a much needed quick break to admire the view. We were by a cliff edge over looking the mountains and forest. It was truly fantastic, utterly re energized me and strangely brought a tear to my eye. I almost felt like jumping straight off the mountain into the forest below.

Rollend said we are ½ way, we all thought he was joking but he was not. We stopped found a space by a tree and had lunch which consisted of cookies, nuts and dumplings. It was actually quite nice. After that we all jumped on a rock which was right on the cliff edge and again admired the sights and sounds.

About an hour later we had reached the peak, 923metres above sea level. The whole journey was worth it. We stood on top on what looked like an abandoned building. Tom, Ori and I and began performing chi kung. "Frigging quality" or as Tom would say "sound as".




Going down was so much easier then going up. On the way down Rollend literally started picking buds off a tree and eating them. I tried them they were ok, not great. We actually got back to the academy in about two hours. We had left at 8.45am and arrived back at 5.45pm. The whole experience was totally exhilarating.


I love that park.

China 7 months: First Saturday at the Kung fu Academy

Saturday is a day off for the students to relax and practice what they have learnt during the week.

My room mate Ori

Our wonderful room

I woke up about 4.30am in the room i was sharing with Ori and went for a walk, which was fantastic as we are up in the mountains and the views are stuning, did some chi kung with the mountain air really enhancing it, stretched, read some Buddha quotes from a book my fellow Asian martial art traveler Kemi gave to me before I left. It was 5.30 by the time I had finished so I just took in the view and relaxed until everyone else woke up for breakfast at 7.

Just outside of Academy; beautiful

I love waking up before everyone. After eating two boiled eggs I noticed one of the students started watching a DVD. Where breakfast is eaten there is a tv and DVD player . It was the comedy film Eurotrip. Everyone gathered round in a huddle and watched. It is a very funny film especially if watched in a group. Really started the morning nicely. It was a great, almost family like feeling watching the movie in the morning. Though i had just arrived i found the atmosphere welcoming and pleasant.

Entrance to Kunyu Shan Shaolin Martial Arts Academy

Later I found myself in a taxi heading for the city with 6 relatively new students to the academy including Ori. The Chinese are slightly suicidal in there driving manner. I'm not totally convinced that you actually need a driving license out here. Drivers are changing lanes, beeping every 5 seconds and narrowly missing the crossing pedestrians. The pedestrians don't even look at the on coming traffic but actually look the opposite direction. I will not be surprised if I witness a car accident whilst I'm here, I just hope I'm not involved. Though all this did make the hour long journey a little more entertaining.

We all decided a shopping trip was needed for supplies especially for me as I had brought so little. We went to a Walmart which turned out to be a good idea as the signs also had English on them. We split up and decided to meet in half an hour outside. At one point during shopping I was ready to sign autographs as everybody was staring at me. I don't think many foreigners come through here as we did not see any others and obviously neither had the other shoppers. The young and the old especially stare quite hard. I actually found it quite funny, smiled a lot and kept repeating ni hao which is hello in Chinese. At one point I was looking for deodorant and had 3 Walmart girls helping me. I pointed to my under arm and one of them went away and brought back wax and a razor. I laughed and with my hands gestured that this is not what I was looking for. The whole aisle section was paying attention to what I was doing and smiling. Eventually one of the girls brought me to the right section. Almost a comedy sketch. If your quite shy i don't think it would have been a pleasant experience but i loved it.

Some of the guys needed weapons for there Shaolin class. So we asked the cab driver to take us to a weapons shop. We arrived to find a little shop that sold every non-firing weapon available. For 2GBP people were getting two kicking pads and a staff. Because of the cheapness of the weapons people went a little crazy. One dude bought two swords and another bought a metal whip with what looked like a metal bullet that had been sharpened attached to the end of.


When we arrived back late afternoon we found that individually we had spent less than 20 pounds each. We basically did a weeks worth shopping, had a meal, bought weapons and hired a taxi for 6 hours, not bad. The funny thing is that we get charged foreign prices, which is more expensive.

Had a good day and met some of the faces of the Academy.

A Thank You, Plans, Leaving and Arriving Day (England to China, May 10th 2007)

A Thank You, Plans, Leaving and Arriving Day (England to China, May 10th 2007)


I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that saw me days before I left so as they could wish me happy travels.

A real heart felt thank you to Mum, Onna, Yuki, Peter, Simon, Charlotte, Claire, James, Michael & Merlene, Enrique, Kemi & Petra and everybody from work, Charmaine, Lucja, Tim, Vikash, Ken, Otaniyen & Janine, Amina and Lodi that came to my staff leaving meal and chipped in for my lovely 27oz steak. It was gorgeous.

A thank you to all my wonderful clients, work colleagues and anyone i may have forgot to mention.

Plans

I have two countries that i want to visit. China to study kung-fu and Thailand to train in Muay Thai. Apart from these two i really have no idea which other countries i want to see or what i'm going to do when i get there. I have no idea how long i will travel for either. I will simply go with the flow of life and see what it wants to show me.

Leaving Day

Leaving day was emotionally a lot harder than I imagined it would be. The whole day was a struggle, though for most of the time it seemed like any other day but with spells of tears. Yes, tears (what!).

Family photo.

It was Mum, Onna (sister), Peter (friend) and Yuki (girl friend) who came to the airport to see me off. I was in a very relaxed mood considering i was about to embark on a life changing journey that involved leaving everything i've grown to love and am comfortable with. At one moment I almost fell asleep in the café where we were eating. I sometimes become very relaxed when a situation has an emotional or volatile charge to it.

We arrived at departures and i gave everyone a hug I had to look up and away from their faces to stop myself from crying.

Whilst in the waiting room, the airport bus and in the plane, thoughts of, am I really doing the right thing kept passing through my mind. My life is filled with such beautiful people that I knew I would be feeling like this so I was a little prepared for it. When the thoughts were overwhelming I just quietened my mind and knew I was doing the right thing.
Whilst in mid flight I read a letter Yuki had written for me. It was beautiful and touching; thank you Yuki.

Arriving

The flight was about 9hrs from London to Beijing. Which was not too bad but Air China do not play movies which was a little disappointing. Had to wait for 6 hours at the airport for my transfer flight to Yantai.

Whilst walking around I had the feeling of being in an illusion and was slightly disorientated. Though I did wake up when I sat in a tea shop at the airport and asked for the price of a pot of green tea which the waitress replied 180 Yuan which roughly equates to 12 GBP. How lucky I felt. I had found the most expensive pot of tea in the world in an average looking establishment, in an airport, in China. So I showed her the $6 I had and she said I could have 2 cups of tea. It wasn't bad.

Even on the airplane to Yantai I felt a little disorientated and light headed. The flight was about an hour long and arrived at Yantai airport about 45min late. I was half expecting the translator from the academy that I booked to pick me up, not to be there. But he was. A bright faced, enthusiastic, smiling young man by the name of rollend greeted me at arrivals. Along side a very grumpy looking taxi driver.

On the same flight as me was another student of the name Ori, from America. The translator seemed shocked that I only brought a relatively small back pack. We waited for Ori to get the rest of his, vast in comparison, luggage.

Once in the car we had a q&a session, which Rollend seemed to be the instigator of. He was telling us about the mountains around the academy and the national park that is also close by. I just kept quiet and listened. Ori was very pleasant and talkative.

We arrived at the academy about an hour later which was around 10pm. Rollend and one of the Shaolin masters showed us around facilities which was very quiet as everyone was asleep. We were then shown our room. Went to sleep shortly after that but not before setting the alarm for 5:20am.

The whole day was a blurry, disorientating, exciting and a completely surreal moment in my life.

Why Am I Going

Why Am I Going?








Superficially the answer would seem to be that i watched to many martial art films when i was younger. Though Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Tony Jaa and the Shaolin Monks have all inspired and influenced me, they are just the tip of the iceberg. The true foundation and reasoning of my decision to leave the niceties and modern luxuries of London is simple; the eradication of weakness from my mind, body and spirit. Or to put another way to increase the strength of my mind, body and spirit.


I feel the human race is going through another stage of evolution that i don't think Charles Darwin ever envisioned; de-evolution. The human race as a whole is falling apart. The concept behind evolution is that the fittest will survive. Look around you with no intellectual deliberations and with undoctrinised eyes and you'll see the state of individuals fitness and health, both mental and physical is at a all time low.



We are for the most part on this earth longer than any of our descendants but i would not call it living. I like the term "vertical death" coined by some health care professionals. Meaning people are moving but they have not been alive for along time. Their dead inside but the Prozac, stress and caffeine keep them moving.



The quote below, i feel really sums up the misplaced arrogance of man.

"We must, however, acknowledge as it seems to me, that a man with all his noble qualities...still bears in his bodily frame the indelible stamp of his lowly origin" (Charles Darwin)


So it is my attempt to have a break from the lunacy and downright stupidity of modern man which seems to be perpetuated and actually encouraged from many directions in London and i suspect most modern westernised cities. To remember who i am, as we are all born with self amnesia.

Modern day living does nothing to encourage the acquisition of the exquisite, innate knowledge that is held in us all. Instead it replaces it with nonsensical bullshit that ultimately leads us to turmoil and loss of self. To bring the best out of me and i believe as a young man it is the perfect time to establish good habits as this is ultimately what everyones life is based upon.


"we are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit" (Aristotle)