Ni hao!

Xing qi shi er (today is th 12th).

Tinternet here is a leeeetle slow so I have't ventured on it much. I hav been mega busy too. So much has happened since I last wrote.

Firstly, ta muchly for all texts, Facebook messages and message boards. They are muchly appreciated...and bring a smile to my weary face.

I am also loving the choices of names on the message board.

Who might I ask is Jet Li? You didn leave your email, so I canny work it aaat.

So...I know that at least Dave wants to hear about the spa. Yep, the nekked one.

I did go and it wasa bit of an experience! It was luxury compared to the Academy (which, I have been informed, is itself a luxury in terms of regular Chinese accomodation!).

When you arrive (IF you arrive after the hair-raising taxi ride), they take your shoes and hand you some funky flip flops. Then men and women are separated. The guys go off to a proper spa. Us ladies don't have access to such fineries. This is China remember, and we are second rate citizens. However, we do have access to a huge shower room where all is provided. LOTS of hot, running water WITH pressure (already a Godsend!), shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, toothbrush, towel, drinking water...you name it. You can access a mild sauna and have a full (yes, f.u.l.l.) body scrub. I havent yet opted for this because remember you are starkers, and some of the positions you have to get into seem a leeetle undignified! Add that and a dose of 20 other ladies staring unabashedly (yes, mouth open on some occasions) at you together, and you end up with a little bit of shyness!

Anyhoo, the shower was great (was nice to feel clean and not freeze after). Then you get funky PJs and head upstairs where you can mix with the guys. There is another lie-down sauna, a games room with table tennis and a GYM (?!), a tea room / diner, where you can drink tea at elaborately carved tables (with big Buddha bellies on them) or munch food. There is an entertainment room also...and this is where most people chill out. There are about 150-200 chairs in here. I can only describe them as the Chinese version of a Lazy-boy chair, like the ones from "Friends". They go up and down and are super comfy. From here, you can watch TV, chat, relax, drink, smoke (if you want), eat, or get a massage.

Adjacent to this room is the "Quiet room", where you can sleep over (yes...it's a giant pyjama party!). I didnt get food or massages or anything, and when I left I found out I only had to pay 15 Yuan (just over 1 pound!) for the privilege (sp Dave?) of over 3 hours. It's mad!

I didnt stay over this time, but will have to try out the quiet room at least once.

Apparently the place is run by the Triads (Chinese gangstars)...and they chill out there. But there are also full families with their kiddliwinks too, and I didnt smell D for danger at all. The boys have told me some funny (yet mildly disturbing) tales from their side of the spa, but nothing bad has happened, so it must be safe to go there.

I was also told that there is a "3rd floor" where certain gentlemen or ladies can get extra special treatment. But as this is not my style, I shall be chilling solely on the lower floors.

It was definitely an experience. And I am sure I shall be going back to get a shower. And perhaps a massage. I hurt so much! I know what it must feel like to be 90...with aches and pains all over. But it's all good.

We did a mountain run on Friday. Did I mention this? It's hell on earth. That's what it is. It's in the arvo, and you walk up this super steeeeeeep hill for about 800M (the Chinese don't build twisty roads up mountains...they just go straight up)...then, when you reach the temple they are constructing (yes it's so darned high they are building a temple) you have to run up loads and loads of steps (i reckon there must be hundreds of them, at a super steep gradient) and then down, and then up, and then down. Hmm. I only managed to puff my way up by walking! I Will run up it before I leave. The views are great though, and there is a shriney temple at the very top too, which is pretty cool.

Had my first experience of power stretching too, on Fri morn. This too, is hell on earth. I screamed like a screamer. You get into both "splits" positions. People hold each leg and Wei Shifu (our master) sits on you and pushes you down until you scream or your legs pop off. Well, not quite, but that's what it feels like. We also stretch out our backs in several ways and shoulders...and, well, everything.

Mrs Hawkins and Miss Fisher...I can pass on a few torture methods for bad students if you like. OUCH. You do feel good for it afterwards. I have it again this Friday...and am terrified cos my body has just seized up like when you put a flame to a piece of plastic. Nice.

Spring is here! The few trees are starting to bloom and the days are sunny and warm with a mountain breeze. It's wonderful to train in. Schmerfick. Yes mum, I am wering suncream every day! (People have been burning already) The insects are arriving too, but these are non-pesky ones. I have only seen 2 spiders...of sensible sizes. No snakes yet. Touch wood.

Last Saturday I climed a mountain with some of the lads and got some pics (will upload sometime soon). There was no path, so we just made our own, scrambling over the rocks and though the undergrowth. Note to self...wear full trousers next time. My legs got scratched to b*****y. Thank you Marcus for the skin repair! :) Recokn they'll be some lovely big insects in the summer, not to mention a few ticks.

Training-wise, I've been taught loads. Front and back sweeps (you do these as part of a form...a bit like in a dance sequence), differnet types of kicks and punches and combinations (these form part of the "basics").

Everything is different to what I know. With these "basic" forms, we hardly ever use chamber position. Legs go straight up and straight down, which puts tremendous strain on your hammies. We look a bit like a Nazi regiment sometimes!

I've learned the first part of a 5 step form...which has some crazy stances in it. There is a lot of emphasis on coming from Horse-riding stance. And even this is different to the stance I have come to know and love over the last 18months or so. From what I can see, Shaolin is very dance-like. It's a performance art...and very beautiful when you see the masters doing it. There is so muc hemphasis on thrusting your body this way and that. It's short, snappy, powerful movements, but at the same time, these are entwined with something delicate.

And they are very q.u.i.e.t. I am soooooo noisey compared to everyone else! I just can't help it. My Two Tia's and San's ring out high and loud. As do my groans, grunts and screams! I wonder if controlling these sounds makes you a better martial artist? Or whether I should just be loud and proud? ;)

I prefer the latter! It's a good release!

Yesterday we did acrobatics, involving rolls, jumps, spins, flips...everything. I feel it now! Hehe. I wasn't too hot at this stuff! I can do the roly-polies...but the backwards stuff, and th fancy twirly in the air, or somersault stuff is just a bit scary for me right now. I did try though, and nearly succeeded in doing a front flip from a head-stand. Master Wei then wanted us to try doing this without using hands. I declined to partake, fearing I may break my neck! Think I need to condition my head and neck a bit more first! I did stand on my head for a good few minutes though. That was interesting. Oh, and I am determined to be able to do a flip-up...you know...to come to standing from a lying-down position. If ever I want to learn drunken form, I have to be able to do this about 10 times.

You should just see the masters when they demonstrate the flips and somersaults. It's such a treat and so inspiring. They literally fly though the air. They ar just so graceful, but do powerful at the same time. Apparently this has a lot to do with Chi, which is why I am keeping up with the Chigung...even if it is hard. Am loving the Taichi too, even though it starts at 6am! Hehe. Have learned about 4 moves now. It's really nice to do.

Dave, I learned some Win Tsun! Hehe. Just the very basics mind you. Chain punching and side punching.

Oh, Debs, you'll be interested to know I cut hair for the first time yesterday! Hehe. I'm going back to lop off some more tomorrow. Not sure why I was elected to do it...but apparently I look like I should be able to cut hair. Is it because I is braaan? ;)

Anyhoo, this is a bit jumbled, but so much is going on it's hard to make sense of it all!

Am going out for dinner tomorrow for Paul's leaving do, and potentially out on Friday. Dont worry Marcus, I am still off the juice. Thank you for your txt, it helped me to choose not to drink at all til I leave the academy.

I wonder what food outside the academy is like. Good, I bet! No, it's not terrible here, just very "fried". I am a little worried I'll put weight on regardless of all the activity we are doing. And I'm constantly craving sweet stuff. It's terrible! (But yummy when you cave) Hmm...Will keep you posted on weight stuff Mair! (re. dresses).

Gotta go sleep now. I am b.e.a.t.

Power training tomorrow. Oh dear...

Lots of love to you all.

Keep in touch

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