Not much happend yesterday (minus the very extreme training), but tonight we went out to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe,
Shahuab cannot take a normal picture
nothing else besides that, so check here for more: http://www.m87-blackhole.org/photos/China+Trip+06/page/3/
The internet connection here has been down for the last full day, but not much besides training anyways.
It was kind of odd to first walk in the main wushu hall, it felt like I was walking onto a movie set. I’ve watched countless wushu clips of the Beijing team in that same location. Practice was good, we do one morning class (9am – 11:30) everyday, then we alternate an evening (7:30pm – 9 ) and afternoon ( 2:30pm – 5:30 ) every other day. Its grueling, really hot, but at least when we walk outside, its nice and refreshing.
So mostly we practice, eat, sleep, practice, eat sleep… Most of out class went to shopping, Mark, Johnny and I stayed behind to have another class to learn a new southern broadsword set.
Coach Zhang and Patti practicing Pushing Hands
This is where we stay, its like a greenhouse
they're even growing rice
other pictures can be viewed here: http://www.m87-blackhole.org/photos/China+Trip+06/
Hurray, Beijing!
Shi Cha Hai, a sports institute
The flight from SFO was pretty boring, and long, but I had a very hyper 4 year old sitting in front of me to keep me awake. Her name was Odelia, and it took 5 attempts to get a picture of her since she thought it was a game.
4 hours of peek a boo
I dont think she stopped moving the entire flight, she was constantly peeking over and giggling at me.
I arrived at the school (Shi Cha Hai) around 8pm, and everyone there was pretty happy to see that I showed up. So we went out to eat and then I went to bed.
The room I shared with Mark
Sunday some of us went to the Great Wall, it had been nice and cloudy since I got here, so it was pretty humid and warm but the smog and overcast kept the bright sun to a minimal. I only feel a little crispy.
This is concidered a 'clear day'
I was also amused with this large ant
Big Ant
Patti then took us shopping at a large mall, but I forgot my camera; no pictures available. It was a nice mall but a lot of the stores have strange way of checking you out. First, you tell the sales associate what you want, then they fill out a little form which you give to a cashier ( usually a small distance away). The cashier inspects the form, takes your money, stamps the form (giving you two carbon copies), and then you can go back to the sales associate. Once you show them your reciept they then give you the desired item(s).
other pictures can be viewed here: http://www.m87-blackhole.org/photos/China+Trip+06/