THE Shaolin Temple - Home of Chinese Kung Fu

Back over the summer, I took Reid and Riley to the home of Chinese Kung Fu.  Growing up, we used to watch horribly dubbed kungfu movies on Saturday morning.  So, one of my bucket lists was to head to THE Shaolin Temple and see how it was done.  We decided on just a few days of lessons, coupled with some site seeing.  Frankly speaking, the lessons were borderline torture.  Here is the basic outline:

Wednesday - 6 hour train ride, sleep on a bed as hard as the floor.
Thursday - Tai Chi in the early AM, learn some kungfu forms (moves / poses).  Power stretching - this is best blocked from memory as it takes 3 people (2 to torture, 1 to scream) to properly execute.  Basically, you are stretched beyond what your mind says is possible.  It HURT.  Afternoon was more training and then I volunteered for sparring.
Friday - AM, skipped Tai Chi.  Acrobatics (I was too sore to do it, so I just practiced forms).  Afternoon was the mountain run.
Saturday - travel to a hotel and soak in the hot tub.
Sunday - train ride home

In all, it was memorable that is for sure.  I am glad we did it and I am also glad that Rowan had a fever the morning of the trip because I think he was just too young.  Next time I go will be just for site seeing.

One BIG plus was how nice and helpful the master and other students were.  In particular, there were several students who were very nice about helping out the tourists while we swooped in for a few days.  I felt our job was to do our best and push as hard as possible out of respect for them and their help.

Breakfast of champions on the train.

Oh yeah, plenty of things to buy to hit later.

That's not a sword, this is a sword!

No foolin' around at this school.  I would grow to hate the choice between the ramp and the two steps once my legs seized up later in the week.

Living in the lap of luxury.  The beds were every bit as comfortable as they looked.

The next few shots were taken around the school area.  Inside the temple property, I guess there were about 20 small schools.

Hamming it up and feeling fresh upon arrival.  That would change.

Daniel doing some damage to the local flora.

Time to rise and shine - day 1.

Every day starts with a nice jog to warm up.

The three of us doing our best.  At this point that was the lowest I could physically go.  The guy behind us is doing it right...

Sparring and missing.

Taking a kick in the leg.  That would hurt later.  Overall, my friend summed it up with the following:  "Well, you definitely didn't win.  But you did get everyone's respect I think."  And I kept all my teeth, not bad for the first time.

Morning - Day 2

Always time for a little horseplay.

He deserved it, I can assure you.

We spent the afternoon touring the temple.

The holes in the trees are where the monks practice throat stabbing.

Time to catch a performance.  We heard there was a guy that got kicked and punched in the throat and crotch, he wasn't there though.  :(

Love this trash can.

Yep, pure sugar flavored.

So this was about half of the mountain run...

Made it!  Riley had already started down.

Nothing like respect.

All work, no play.  That's us.

The master graciously allowed my friend to photograph him.  This is how it's done!

On Day 3, we headed out for some site seeing.  Where did the camel come from?!?!?!?

The pagoda forest, basically tombs of past important monks.

Again, respect.

I love this modern one.  The relief in the middle has a video camera and a laptop carved in it.

We opted for the easy way up the mountain on Day 3...

Car ride to the hotel.  Riley actually had a fever on day 3.  Very tough kid.

The motley crew heads back.

Sorry about this one.  This occurred on the train, about 3 seats ahead of me.  If you have that much time to build a toilet in your seat, WHY CAN'T YOU JUST TAKE THE KID TO THE FREAKIN' BATHROOM?????  Amazing.