ABOVE: Josh getting instruction/correction from Wang HeLing
Sunday...the longest day so far...
Just to recap a little of what was written below, Saturday morning we reviewed/practiced on our own and then we trained from 2:30 pm until 5:30 pm with Wang laoshi. It was hot and sunny. The training was pretty fun as two more of Wang laoshi's regular students (Tian Ying and WuYaJun) showed up as they can only come to train on the weekends. So we got to train with some more guys who do what we do. After practice we walked back to the hotel (by mistake)-3 or 4 miles (along the way we saw a Taoist monk sitting outside a store text messaging), got back quite late, ate at the hotel and the went outside to train a bit before going to sleep.
We had to get up at 6:00 am to go back to practice with Wang laoshi. It was sunny and hot again and we were sweating profusely before we had even finished warming up. Tian Ying showed up and gave us gifts for health and happiness that his father had obtained at a temple but neither and Andrew and I can remember which one.
When we finished practicing Chris took Andrew and I shopping right away. Following another series of subway rides we ended up at the Pearl Market. Once we were done there we headed over by subway to another shopping area where they sell knock-off clothes. In between we decided to grab some western food for lunch.
We were all pretty wilted by the time we hit the clothes shopping area as the temperature had hit the high 20's and we had not eaten anything since the night before...so we ate right across the street from the shopping area at a new restaurant in Beijing. See important map below.
We finished shopping late in the day (LOTS of bargaining which was both fun and annoying at times...) and the took the bus to train with Lu Yan.
I was concerned about the evening's training with Lu yan as we were zonked from training and the heat AND we did not have the afternoon to review and practice before her class. We started traing with Lu Yan somewhere around 6:30-7:00 pm and all of my concerns came to fruition. Speaking only for myself, I can state quite clearly that my brain would not work at all for the first hour of training. The second hour of training saw my brain start to work and then my body decided to take a bit of a break. All in all, not the most impressive training on my part although I am hoping for better on Tuesday when we see Lu Yan again. In the meantime-and on the brighter side- Wang DeMing a very famous wushu coach- and a student of a very famous Bagua Master named Sun ZhiJun-whol coaches at the school where we are training with Lu Yan is starting to teach a Bagua Kwan Dao/Da Dao set and had an extra Kwan Dao made which just arrived Sunday and was offered to me for a very reasonable price (under $20.00)...so I bought it.
We then bused back to our neighbourhood, bought some water and Mr. Noodle type things, have showered and are now going to bed (midnight) as we have to get up at 6:00 am for training again.
8 Comments
Karen
4/13/2008 02:10:13 am
It sounds very intense. I suspect that your clothes may fit quite a bit more loosely by the time you get home.There is plenty of time to eat and sleep when you get home...might as well do as much as you can when you are there.
Reply
Aaron
4/13/2008 06:20:50 am
Hey what's up boys? sounds like the training is pretty intense, hope you guys are having a great time and learning lots of cool stuff to bring back to Hali. Say hi to Yan and Chris for me!
Reply
Ursula
4/13/2008 06:53:58 am
Wow -- cool photos! Josh, I only had time to skim your blogs as I'm kind of busy at the moment, but what really jumped out at me (apart from the bit about you being hit on by a GUY!) was that you made it to the PEARL MARKET -- whoo-hoo!!! I hope you weren't too tired to do some serious bargaining. Other than that, my quick skim (I'll re-read this next week) confirmed that pretty much every trip to Beijing inevitably involves NOT ENOUGH SLEEP! I feel sorry for your friend -- one hour a night wouldn't make training much fun. At least now there are more Starbucks around to keep you somewhat hyped up, in case green tea doesn't do the trick. Have fun and feel free to post photos of you impressing the guys with your big muscles! Haha.
Reply
Music
4/13/2008 08:17:35 am
sounds like another serious trip........Hope to see some of the moves when you get back. Pick up some nice swords while you are there, there is no better place!
Reply
Angela
4/13/2008 08:41:19 pm
Is that a Hooters resturant I see on your map?? That is too funny!!! Now I know why you prefer to eat at the resturant!!! haha
Reply
Chris
4/14/2008 09:02:38 pm
Angela - please understand it wasn't my intention to take them to Hooters. I think that following the incident with the gay guy on the bus and the gay disco troupe at the training venue, Josh was just trying to assert his manliness...
Reply
Kelly Serbu
4/15/2008 08:45:32 pm
Your trip looks awsome, great pictures. If that is Hooters on your map get some picture. Curious to see a Hooters in China compared to Dartmouth... Both family restaraunts.
Reply
Rick
4/16/2008 11:52:09 pm
I agree with kelly , better have a few pictures from the Hooters rest. Josh , you will have to return to the tower when you get back , after this intense type of training , Andrew is starting to look massive standing next to you . McGregor was wondering about your new sweats , I think they are a pair of 80's Rugby pants you found in your closet . See you soon Rick .
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Josh and/or Andrew
Well, I have gotten my shots, taken Dukerol with all of its side effects, recieved my visa, picked up some RMB's, bought some new sweats, tried to forget my age and chronic injuries and am almost ready to go. ...I did actually practice sanjiegun after Lu Yan left but thats not what we're learning when we are in Beijing... Archives
November 2009
Categories |