China 7 months: Kunyu and Leaving Day

Kunyu and leaving day

Though the academy was not what I thought it would be like I still enjoyed my experience at Kunyu Shan very much. The people were great, the surroundings stunningly beautiful and the Masters, though sometimes flawed in character are good at their jobs. The main disappointment was simply the running of the academy by Su. He employed no real structure, has no vision and has the honesty of a politician with the communication skills of one too. I dislike him as he has the opportunity to do something great with this place but instead behaves like a small minded, unprofessional idiot who only fixates on the short term profit forgoing any professionalism and moral conduct.

Kunyu academy is like an international hostel with beautiful surroundings and Kung fu. You can expect at its worst, chocolate, biscuits, Soft drinks, DVD watching, brothels, karaoke, drinking, smoking, miscommunication, deceit, the feeling of being ripped off, girls walking around wearing make up, and witnessing students whom should of spent some time training before they came to China. At its best it is an eclectic mix of students who are interesting, friendly and sociable with some hardcore dudes, surroundings that are tranquil, inspiring, enlightening, the mood can be fun, good kung-fu and a place you can call home.

I enjoyed my time there but towards the end i just found myself frustrated with the limitations of the facilities and the lack of decent management. Their is so much that could be improved upon but nontheless a very interesting and memorable experience.

It took me 2min to pack as all I brought was a small backpack. I had a taxi booked at 12:30. About 12:20 went outside and chilled with a group of people who had come to send me off. They all seemed impressed that all I had was the small back pack. Said goodbye to everyone. I know I should of said more but I just shook everyones hand and left. Jeremy and Megan joined me in the cab. We picked up Hanah, Ori and Alan. Said goodbye to Ori and Alan at the hotsprings then picked up my ticket. We went to nice coffee place in Yantai. Which their isn't many as coffee shops are not big in China. But it was very nice. Arrived at the train station, hugged everyone, said my goodbyes and off I went. As soon as I turned away from everyone I felt alone, it was great.

"facing what consumes you, is the only way to be free" Hatebreed

Michael

China 7 months: Leaving Party 2

Every Friday almost the whole school goes out in there individual cliques. As their was a duel leaving (Craig and myself) alot of people went to "Caro", a restaurant. The Mantis crew; Seb, Simon and Frank were there, as well as Jeremy, Megan, Hannah, Ori and a number of other students.

I had 2 huge bottles of beer, 2 plates of fried chicken, 2 plates of kung pow chicken and about 70 "meat on a sticks". It was good! Everyone was merry and having a good time and even students from the other academy were there. I ate, like everybody else, like an animal and between us all it came to a grand total of about a one pound each.

Off to karaoke we went. I did the mandatory drunk Michael thing and again carried Hannah into the Karaoke place. This time the room was filled to the brim with Lawoi. Already drunk and singing away. Sang Faith by Limp Bizkit with Jeremy but this time I moshed hard and screamed more. Swinged danced with Megan again. The crowd seemed to be impressed as we were given applause. But I was not as drunk as before and so realised I was stepping on her feet a lot. Not as good as I thought. In my inebriated head I thought I was a cross between Patrick Swayze and John Travolta. Thanks Megan for not mentioning it. Though at one point she did stand on my feet while we danced so as to protect hers.

Later when the crowds had left and there were only about 5 or 6 of us, Hannah gave a little speech about me leaving. I can't really remember the words but I do remember the sentiment and my appreciation of it at the time. Thank you Hannah.

Shaolin students "letting their hair down".

Megan and I trying to choose a song to sing

I think about 2am Jeremy, megan and I decided to call it a night and said goodbye to the hardcore crew of Karaoke Militia in which Welshy seemed to be the leader, fyi named that as he is from Wales.

Carried Megan to the taxi in the pouring rain. I could of slipped but my Mantis stance training and the fact I'm a bit of Ninja made sure I didn't. The night was great and I would like to give a big thank you to "James the Aristocrat" for paying for the karaoke bill. I tip my virtual reality top hat to you oh kind sir.

It's thanks and recognition time. Thanks to the Mantis crew: Sauded Seb, Mad Franky Fredericks and Psycho Singing Simon. Thanks to Seb for getting me through the repetitive forms training and generally being a good guy. Franky for being some one to bounce my crazy side off and being very enthusiastic about his training. Simon for simply being a psycho and singing. All are great guys.

Frankie

Seb

Thanks to Ninja Matt and Dangerous Dave for introducing me to Ninjitsu.

Thanks to Jeremy, Hannah, Meagan and Ori.

Jeremy for being a cool looking arian version of John Travolta and having a typical Hollywood smile with a cool laid back southern American accent. If he does not make it as a kung fu master he should head for Hollywood. Also for being a great guy.


Hannah for being a good conversationalist, an interesting character and a having a kind heart.


I spent more time with Megan than anyone when outside of training. So I would like to thank her for keeping me company, our interesting conversations, making me laugh and being a beautiful person.


Ori for being a good friend and a fantastic room mate.

Good thoughts for you all are heading your way.


Trust in God and Tie Your Camel Up (Sufi saying)

Michael

China 7 months: Leaving Party n.o 1

1st leaving party



As i am leaving Jeremy, Megan, Hannah and I went out to Muping for some market food. I like the market food in Muping and I'm slowly getting used the over crowded roads full of staring Chinese, bikes, motor bikes and cars. The smell of burnt cooking fat wafting through the air definitely lets you know where you are. Their are market stores selling fruit, useless pieces pf tack, food vendors cooking noodles, meat, pastries and sometimes insects.



As we sat down we were greeted by the mandatory smiles, stares and pointing at of us, the "white devils" by the locals and unexpenctantly a welcomed cool late afternoon breeze. Which was much needed as it has been sweltering lately.



We ordered noodles and I think octopus and meat for Jeremy and I, but mostly for me. As I was leaving we decided to have a jug of beer. It tasted good and must of cost about 40p a jug.



About four jugs later we walked gingerly to the next street to play some street pool. It's great. The pool cues need new tips and the tables are wonky. We played pool on the street, drank some beers and ate some chocolate. Two bottles later we decided it was time to leave for some karaoke. We staggered to the taxi. Went a few minutes down the road and we were there. When I start carrying people I know I'm a little tipsy. So I carried Hannah into the Karaoke place, slurred some unintelligible nonsense at the woman at the desk and was duly pointed into the direction of the karaoke room. The Chinese there are used to Lawoi (foreigners), as the guys from the academy frequent it quite a bit.



The room was huge. A smiling china man brought in a crate of beer and left promptly. The room was too big for us four so megan, bolstered by her alcohol consumption went looking for a room we could occupy with some Chinese. I knew this was not going to be a problem as she is white, blonde and has blue eyes and it's mostly Chinese men that karaoke. We went next door where there were about 10 Chinese guys and 1 woman, drunk and having a good time. As expected they were very happy to have four Lawoi in the room especially as two were white, blonde females. A few beers later my top was off and I'm jumping, megan is dancing, Hannah is chatting and Jeremy is chilling, it's all good. They sang one song and we sang another. At the end of each song a score is given, so it was good fun. We even got some rock/metal in their with Song 2 from Blur and Faith by Limp Bizkit. Which I loved. It was a really good party atmosphere. My next memory was of an irate guy smashing a bottle, then the same dude holding onto Megan a little to inappropriately. So I grabbed Megan said she was with me. The next thing I know our cab driver said we should leave, so we did with this idiot not knowing when he has no chance still pestering Megan. This is when I started running through my Mantis lessons and wondering which move I should use to take this fool out. We got to the cab and for some reason the cab driver would not move. So this idiot was still bothering Megan through the window. He wasn't being nasty, more of a nuicance. But still I had selected hammer fist to the left temple if he continued. Running through my head was the wondering thought of how much it would cost to get myself out of trouble with the police if this goes down. I would have to take him out plus his mates. Anyway we all shouted at the cab driver and he got the hint and moved. After we chilled it was the decision on where to go to next.



It was decided that Ali Babas would be the place. It's a pool place with a bar and dance area. Again I carried someone into the place but I can't remember who. Straight to the dance floor. I start jumping around like an E user on a mission with Megan and Jeremy. Hannah takes a seat and chills. I know I had some more beers and I believe these are the order of the events that occurred. Feeling good, and confident in my dancing abilities and the shameful fact that I watched every episode of Strictly Come Dancing, I felt it was my chance to step things up a notch. So I attempted some swing dancing moves with Megan. They felt great and I'm sure they looked brilliant. I'm just glad I was able to throw Megan around and no one getting hurt.



Later that night Jeremey fainted on the dance floor. But he was o.k. I got tearful whilst hugging Hannah as I was missing Yuki. I hate drunks that cry. Chatted nonsense, danced some more, hugged a few people, mounted a few people then I think I carried, at the same time Hannah and Megan to the cab. I'm not sure but definitely someone. Arrived back at the academy at about 5:30. Hugged Megan as it was her idea, went to my room and collapsed on my bed.



I want to thank everyone on that night as it will be a very fond memory for a long time to come.



Peace People



Michael