a soup with snail like slithery creatures in it with wobbly antenae which tasted salty and gritty. I didn't ask what it was 'cos I didn't want to know.
a soup with snail like slithery creatures in it with wobbly antenae which tasted salty and gritty. I didn't ask what it was 'cos I didn't want to know.
Today was the first day of training with Shaking Cane Kungfu Master Linn who is teaching us a Shaking Crane pattern called Babbulian which challenges our Western muscular stiffness as it is all about suppleness and flexibility. Much to his surprise, the Wolf wasn't nearly as at sea as he had feared...not that he was good or anything mind. We were put through our paces in horse stance for most of the time for three hours. We were in a room in the gigantic government sponsored sports hall anf what began as rather a forbidding experience turned out to be fun even if it really tiring.
We spent the afternoon sight-seeing around Fuzhou with only two of us having any Chinese words but we managed to find our way to two of Fuzhou's most famous buildings: The Black and White Pagodas. They are nearly a thousand years old and not over loved by the turbulent history that has surrounded them. It looks like they are about to be restored though by the new China.
The every day sights of Fuzhou were even more interesting.
The crowds in the early morning who fill the parks with their taichi, ballroom dancing and taichi sword patterns.
The wild horn-blowing traffic where bicyhcles, mopeds, posh cars, taxis and buses manouvre past each other with no apparent regard to regulations but with no obvious casualties.
The man who climbed over a bridge then clambered along some pipes over the river for nothing more than a good wash.
Thed old lady on her bicycle with her shopping and her taichi sword blade sticking out in front of her.
I am definitely in China folks.
We did some more kungfu practice this evening before going to a massage parlour (not one with naughty extras I promise).We lay on beds, three to a room, fully clothed (I promise) as three beautiful young Chinese women in traditional dress battered us with unbelievably strong fingers before quite iterally walking all over us. Chinese massage is brilliant for all those stressed and over-used muscles.
The Wolf is now fully restored.
Fuzhou is a busy and developing city but unlike many busy international cities, its people seem friendly, happy and obvously relaxed. That is how they come across any way and we have seen to much friendliness and hospitality since we have ben here that, so far, I have nothing to complain about....even all that talk about the food. We have eaten suberb, fresh tasting meals ever since arriving.
I'll end with a picture of the hotel....so, in a sentence, we are having a whale of a time.
It sounds great. Glad you're having a good time. Take some piccys for us all. You've inspired me to have a look at some mixed martial arts places near me. I want to get fit and also be able to kung fu someone's arse at will.
Ask your teacher when you will learn the crane. That never gets old.
Are you managing to communicate ok in English or mandarin?
Has there been anything odd in the training, a particular style or little point that you have never seen in the UK?
I'ved been surprized how much Chinese I have been able to use.....I wondered if my pronunciation would be so off centre that no one would be able to understand. I kow I'm not that good at it but I have been out and about on my own and been able to communicate pretty well. It's made a lot easier by the friendliness we've met everywhere. People even come up to us in the street and say "Hello" anf then grin.
It's all great fun.
I'll post about today's class later but it is all going really well....except I've failed to post any pictures yet 'cos I'm too stupid and don't sem to get the uploading right even though I've been shooting away on my spanking new camera.
If any one's seen Will can you ask him to help me out.
