China 7 months: Syringes, Cups and Lies

Ori has been having trouble with his rib cage on the left side and low back for a while. He also managed to drop a rock on his foot whilst helping build a new training area, and it hasn't stopped bleeding for three days. His rib and back have been causing him disrupted sleep at night. On Tuesday he went to the hospital for acupuncture to see if that could help with at least with the pain.

Ori, Nick and Joakim arrived at the hospital that I went to previously for massage. Apparently the acupuncture department doesn't work on Tuesdays so the cab driver took them to another hospital. They arrived and explained the problems. Nick was first to receive treatment. Nick had injured his knee the week before and has been unable to train. The doctor inspected the knee then wrote a prescription for him. Nick went down stairs, paid for the prescription and brought it back up. It was 3 vials of liquid. The doctor proceeded to mix them together to make a fluorescent pink liquid then brought a syringe with a 3 inch needle. Sucked it up then injected the unknown substance into his knee. Later that day when I saw him he was hobbling, but before it was impossible to tell if he was injured. Joakim had nothing wrong with him but went along for the ride just to try out the acupuncture. Instead of acupuncture he got suction cups. Basically the doctor lights a flame by the cup to use up all the air and then quickly places the cup on precise parts of the body where because of the lack of air, creates suction. He had two cups and everything was fine. The doctor recommended that Ori have the cup treatment to. So he did but with a difference. The doctor made little incision before placing the cup. So when the cup was on, it sucked blood out! When I saw Ori later he looked like he had giant pepperonis on his back and left ribcage. The treatment did not seem to do anything but cause pain and discomfort.

Not Ori

I am having Karate Kid moments. Just like Daniel (Karate kid) didn't understand the training or its purpose until his teacher showed him that painting railings and washing cars were actually blocks. I am having similar occasions of clarity and understanding in regards to my form that I have been learning. Unexpentanctly during sparring, the forms movements, with out any pre-determined intention display themselves to us (Seb to) automatically during an attack. It all just started to make sense and is continuing to do so. Even during Ninjitsu class the form movements are easy to apply. This is helped as Praying Mantis and Ninjitsu have similar principles and application.

We have water back. It is a relief. The rivers look so much healthier.

During the weekend I had acupuncture. Their were about 15 needles sticking out of my back. I had bought my own needles as I am not really comfortable with using the hospitals. It was a very uncomfortable feeling. I felt as if i couldn't move.

In Ninjitsu we practiced disarming someone with a gun. It was not really disarming but more like how to have the attacker shoot themselves, which was really cool. I really like Ninjitsu and am really looking forward to practicing it in Japan.

Over the weekend 15 new students turned up. A lot of newbies. I do not mind new people but because of the sheer number, and that their are now 3 to a room instead of 2 which was originally placed on the website. Their seems to be a slight resentment and has created a lot of tension among some. Ori and I are still waiting for are 3rd room mate. A lot of people are going to leave simply because their has been one thing after another. There is a distinct lack of communication and professionalism showed by Su (academy owner). This lacking has caused students to question his true intentions, and is leaving students thinking he is a liar and is simply taking the piss out of them. None of this bothers me as just keep training and I know I will be out of here in just over a month.


Keep cool everyone

Michael

China 7 months: Drought

We have had no water for a week. Their is a drought out here. Actually that's a lie, we have water between 6-8pm. This 2 hr window is for close to 50 or so students, to shower and wash their clothes. The 3 showers and 3 washing machines are not really adequate but it seems to be o.k for now.

It started raining on Tuesday but stopped on Friday so not quite enough to stop the drought but at least it's a start.

A dried out river bed

I'm ill again. This time it feels like I have a cold. So I've missed 2 days of training. Which I'm not happy about.

I have been thinking about living alternatives to London. I have now on my list for further investigation; Italy, France, Hawaii, Bahamas, Tasmania (Australia), New Zealand and Japan. I just can't see myself living in London anymore.

My plan for my little journey as, it stands is to leave Shandong aug10, then into the Henan province till nov 10, then onto Thailand till feb 10, then another 3 months traveling Burma, Laos, Cambodia, so about may 10 I should be back in Thailand again for another 1-3 months, than by aug 10 live and work in Japan for 3-6 months by which time it could be feb 09. May even pop into Australia if I have the money and inclination. Right now these are just ideas. So I don't know for sure. But I really like the idea of working and living in Japan. And yes, if any of you want to visit you'll have somewhere to stay.

Saturday Hannah and I went to the cave (8 immortals) after breakfast to meditate. The weather was very humid so we were sweating like crazy just 10min into the walk there. The cave is right at the top of a bunch of steps where we do the stair run every Friday. It takes about 30min to get there. Once there Hannah told me a little history of the 8 immortals as she has a book on them. Would tell you about it but I've forgotten, sorry. Then we started meditating. It's very quiet there. All you can hear is what nature intended you to hear. It started to rain a little, about 10min after we started which just added to the bliss. I like the sound of rain. The fact I was sniveling because of my cold did little to ruin the experience. After we just walked back slowly having a very pleasant conversation.

On Sunday I went back to the cave to meditate again but this time it was just me. When i got there i found a Chinese family sitting out side. On weekends their are a lot of visiting Chinese, as the cave and national park are tourist attractions. I went into the cave, layed down my Buddha book my friend Kemi gave me and was not 10sec into meditating when my "spider senses" started tingling. I turned round ready to deliver a Mantis hammer fist, but when i opened my eyes i was presented with a young Chinese man about to take a photo of me. I got up and he and his girlfriend gestured if they could take a photo with me. I didn't want to ruin their day so i did. One of their mums took a photo. The guy and girl on either side of me. The guy had his arm round me and the girl was very close, like we were long life friends or something. The bad thing was that i was sweating like a nutter and the top i was wearing was soaked through and had not been washed in a week. They seemed happy to have met and had photos taken with a foreigner, even if he was sweaty.

Later in the day, after lunch, I, Hannah, Megan, Jenny, Jeremy, Sid, Keenan and a South African guy who I have forgotten his name went to a close town called Muping to grab a bite to eat. We had a look round and decided on a small Chinese café that had pictures on the wall in which we could point to. Between 7 of us as Keenan didn't eat we had about 9 dishes, 3 noodle soups that all tasted great and everyone apart from me had a soft drink. It all came to a grand total of 1.40 GBP each. Going back to London is going to be so hard. My usual lunch costs me close to 15 GBP.

Being stared at in Muping

The plan was to head for a massage after eating. We ended back at the place where I was viciously and maliciously assaulted. I started having flash backs and went into a cold sweat. I hear those are common symptoms of post traumatic stress syndrome. I was ready to drop to my knees and fake an embolism when Keenan said he would like to go to the hospital and try out the acupuncture, I quickly put my hand up and said "me to". We arrived and I did most of the talking to explain the issues. I know this sounds impressive but all I did was point to a part of the body and said "bu hao" and "torne" which means "not good" and "pain". Jeremy had an issue with his knee and was first. The female acupuncturist brang out the needles that were wrapped in a once white but now brown cloth. They were reusable needles so I quickly looked at her pointed to myself and said "tui na" which is Chinese massage. Jeremy and Keenan had the acupuncture and I had the massage. There was no assault but a very good and professional massage. I felt good after, so did the guys. The two 45 min sessions of acupuncture and 45min of massage came to grand total of 1.60 GBP each. It would have been 50x that in London. I think I'm going to go there again.

The crew; me, Ori, Lindsey, Megan, Jenny and Hannah

Hope everyone is well

Keep cool

Michael

China 7 months: Grading Day

Today has been a good day.

It was grading today. Instead of the normal morning training we simply practiced before the big public critique.


I was not nervous at all, more excited than anything else. I actually like performing in front of people. Seb was still not fully loving the idea. After practicing out side and generally chatting for a bit the master called us in and looked pretty serious. He called Seb and I in front of the class and instructed us to perform the form. About half way through Seb forgot a move and the master went off on one. As he went on and on I thought to myself that this has to be the worse pep talk, ever. I was really disappointed by him. It showed a weakness in his ego as I feel he was behaving this way because he was worried about what the other masters would think as oppose to helping Seb and I. The talk did not affect me at all, as firstly it was not entirely directed at me and secondly I was looking forward to the grading but did alter my view of my teacher.

Scott performing a spear form


The time came and everyone had brought from their room small benches in which to sit and watch. The ones that are grading are easy to see as they wear signature clothing. The long timers are given a full on kung-fu suits when they join and the short timers such as my self are given a kung-fu style vest to wear. On one side of the yard are the students and the other side, the masters. The grader performs in between the two. When they have finished grading they walk off to applause at which point one of the translators runs to each master to collect a score.
No one apparently fails a grading but the score is collected and is written on the students' certificate when they leave.




As I was sitting excitedly tapping my feet watching the grading another new student arrived. It seems recently like a new student arrives about every 5 days. The new guy sat next to me. He looked like a 60 year old tramp. A very unusual sight when you're surrounded by reasonably athletic 19 year olds. I found out later his an Italian with a Russian accent looking to study full time Tai Chi, which actually is not on offer here. Seb said when he walked past him he smelt like alcohol and their seems to be overwhelming feeling among a lot of the guys that his going to kill us all. I'll keep you tuned on that, if I am able to.



I observed the masters observing the performance and wondered what they thought. My master told me that his master would have him hold each stance for 30min and I don't think his over exaggerating at all. All the masters must have practiced daily for years to obtain the skill they posses. I know for a fact when the Chinese train foreigners the training is rushed, simply there is not the time and Westerners generally do not have the patience. As a result when some of the students perform I think it must look a little sloppy to the masters and the fact that westerners have tendons and ligaments all over their body especially on the back of the legs I think just makes it worse for the masters to watch. In my opinion some do look sloppy but others do look amazing.I think the best performance apart from obviously mine was by an 18 year old, from north England named Mark. When he done his sword form, it looked amazing. It had power and grace and not just for a westerner.

Mark performing a Drunken Master form

Mark arrived here with his friend from school, Dan nearly 10 months ago. Dan is in my class and I can tell you now they are both 18 and dangerous. Really a couple of good guys and both, I think propel each other forward. I really would like to see them when they my age. When they get back home I think possibly they're going to save up again and travel to Russia and study Systema, then move on to Thailand for Muay Thai and maybe even to work in Japan and study Ninjitsu.

Dan performing a Mantis sword form

At 18 I wanted to do something like that but my friends preferred going to the pub and/or playing computer games. I also made the regrettable mistake of going to college. Well these are the mistakes you make in your youth.




Then came my turn. Seb had just finished. He nodded as he walked past me. I jumped around a bit like someone who was about to enter a boxing ring which later I found out people thought was quite funny as everyone else holds their hands together and look very serious. In all honesty, the way I was feeling I was ready for a fight not a form. I clasped my hands together bowed before walking on and before I knew it I was walking off with my hands clasped. I barely remember performing. I can't remember what I did. As I was walking everyone was clapping which is kind of mandatory anyway.



Later, I had people congratulating me on my form. A lot of people said they have not seen the Mantis basics performed and was impressed. Everyone pretty much commented on how powerful and stable I looked. I don't know if that's code for you wasn't graceful and fluid. One of the mantis students filmed it, I'll see if I can get it on for you to see. I have to view it first.



Later was the stair run. My last recorded time was 35.16. Unfortunately last week I missed the run so was looking forward to making up for that today. I was up and down in 7.30min so if I kept that pace it would be completed in 30min. But keeping that pace is extremely hard. After the 2nd one I was pretty much exhausted and wanted to stop which I would have done if it wasn't for my desire to beat my time. When I was tired I just looked down at my watch and instantly knew what I had to do. After the 3rd I was pouring with sweat and breathing like a maniac. This is when the motivating voice of Mr. T popped into my head shouted "move fool". I would like to personally thank my mental vocal reenactment of Mr. T as I completed the run in 31.12. I think the average time for most is about 40-45min and the fit guys who have been here the longest, is about 30min. Lets see what next week brings. Hopefully some new running shoes as the ones I have are slowly being worn down.

"Move fool"

Saturday was a completely uneventful day of watching Bewitched, Mind Body and Kick Ass Moves, eating crap and lounging around like a slob. Though I had a nice chat with Yuki on Skype and later was treated to one of the most beautiful midnight skies I have ever seen. It did bring a tear to my eye. You don't get nights like this in London.

Sunday again like Saturday was lounging around, watched Open Season, half of Kiss of the Dragon and ate like a loser. Just in case it sounds to luxurious here I should let you know we have no water as they have a drought here. No water, for washing, showers and toilets. I can't begin to tell you what sights I've seen and the smells I've encountered when I've walked in to the toilets.


Finished my second book; Conversation with God by Neale Donald Walsch. A very good book. Basically the author claims to have had conversations with God and documents these conversations. I would definitely recommend this book. Ori refers to this book as his bible. It is more in tune with my line of thinking on God.




Good Chi to all that read this.


Shake and bake, people



Michael