Paris 2005 - part Deux
Back in Brum after three of the hardest days training I have ever had. Constant work, more work, and then we did some more work.
Itto Seiho was the order of the day, and the next day, and finally the last day. Some groups did get to walk through the first Nito kata, for a few minutes, and then it was demonstration time.
There were two sorts of demonstration. Firstly, we hardened students showed what we had picked up over the seminar, then, Soke and the Japanese sensei showed how it could be done (er, should be done , if truth were known). Two truly stunning demo's, perhaps for different reasons......
Hard work, and thoroughly enjoyed by all taking part.
At night, French hospitality came out, BIG TIME. The first night we attended a Chinese restaurant, and the sensei and about twenty of the students, hosted by Philippe and his wife, and the French students who had been organising the show. The main table was full, except for the seating reserved for the Japanese delegates when we Brits (Me, Scott Halls, and Kieron K Kennedy) arrived. We were put on an adjacent table, and ended up right next to our teachers and interpretters.
As the evening progressed, much eating and exchangeing of alcohol occured, until a strange murmerring from the far end of the main table took over. This was the Finnish contingent proving that they can outdrink everyone - which of course, they can (and do).
The second evening had a group of us at a local Italian pizzeria, again, about 25 people plus the senseis. Japanese, French, Swiss, Brits and Finnish speaking the international language of Drink.
The British, to prove a point, stuck to beef, despite the signs saying 'NO BRITISH MEAT USED HERE'. Kieron asked for his steak to be well done, as west indian people are 'funny' about how their meat is cooked. Yes, the waiter said, repeating in English 'Well Done'. Scotts and mine were rare, Kierons was still chewing grass when it was served. However, with the assistance of the Finn's, everthing faded to a blur.
The blur cleared quickly in the night air. We were not going back to the hotel, but to a meeting at the dojo, to ask Soke questions, and hear his views on the art of HNIR, and Go Rin No Show. About twenty people turned up to sit with Soke and the sensei on the dojo floor, until we were 'respectfully' asked to go, as it was reaching eleven o'clock, and the staff had homes to go to. The group was made up of some of Philippes French group, the Finns, members of Birmingham, Wallsall and Leeds dosokai, and two guys from Greece.
On Sunday night, a slight error occurred, which I shall not dwell on it, just to say NEVER trust Scott Halls sence of direction or memory. Having walked away from the hotel, looking for the railway station, we had to walk back when we discovered that it was in the opposite direction.
I decided that I would not join the two intrepid explorers in their journey into Paris. I went back to the Chinese restaurant, and ordered dinner. Soon after, another loner drifted in, who I recognised from the seminar. Dennis, from Switzerland, was not going home until Monday and had set of to find somewhere to eat, and upon recognising each other, I invited him to join me at my table. Before he could order, the Finns arrived. Much alcohol was taken, as well as some food. The two Greeks guys turned up and joined us, and one, a brave soul called Kostas (sorry if the spelling is wrong) asked if he could buy us all a drink, as it was his wedding anniverary. We accepted, and if Mrs. Kostas ever reads this, we toasted her for her anniversary, and for allowing her husband to be away on this special day.
Kostas announced he was a dead man.
When we returned to the hotel, despite the invitation, I had to make my excuses, and go to bed. The Finns partied on.
All in All, an excellent seminar, and thanks to Philippe and his helpers, it went smoothly. Well done to you all. Socially, I may recover, but it could take days yet. We met many old friends, and made several new ones.
To anyone reading this who has not practiced HNIR, consider attending one of these seminars. There were several absolute beginners - they ended up being taught by Soke himself.
Itto Seiho was the order of the day, and the next day, and finally the last day. Some groups did get to walk through the first Nito kata, for a few minutes, and then it was demonstration time.
There were two sorts of demonstration. Firstly, we hardened students showed what we had picked up over the seminar, then, Soke and the Japanese sensei showed how it could be done (er, should be done , if truth were known). Two truly stunning demo's, perhaps for different reasons......
Hard work, and thoroughly enjoyed by all taking part.
At night, French hospitality came out, BIG TIME. The first night we attended a Chinese restaurant, and the sensei and about twenty of the students, hosted by Philippe and his wife, and the French students who had been organising the show. The main table was full, except for the seating reserved for the Japanese delegates when we Brits (Me, Scott Halls, and Kieron K Kennedy) arrived. We were put on an adjacent table, and ended up right next to our teachers and interpretters.
As the evening progressed, much eating and exchangeing of alcohol occured, until a strange murmerring from the far end of the main table took over. This was the Finnish contingent proving that they can outdrink everyone - which of course, they can (and do).
The second evening had a group of us at a local Italian pizzeria, again, about 25 people plus the senseis. Japanese, French, Swiss, Brits and Finnish speaking the international language of Drink.
The British, to prove a point, stuck to beef, despite the signs saying 'NO BRITISH MEAT USED HERE'. Kieron asked for his steak to be well done, as west indian people are 'funny' about how their meat is cooked. Yes, the waiter said, repeating in English 'Well Done'. Scotts and mine were rare, Kierons was still chewing grass when it was served. However, with the assistance of the Finn's, everthing faded to a blur.
The blur cleared quickly in the night air. We were not going back to the hotel, but to a meeting at the dojo, to ask Soke questions, and hear his views on the art of HNIR, and Go Rin No Show. About twenty people turned up to sit with Soke and the sensei on the dojo floor, until we were 'respectfully' asked to go, as it was reaching eleven o'clock, and the staff had homes to go to. The group was made up of some of Philippes French group, the Finns, members of Birmingham, Wallsall and Leeds dosokai, and two guys from Greece.
On Sunday night, a slight error occurred, which I shall not dwell on it, just to say NEVER trust Scott Halls sence of direction or memory. Having walked away from the hotel, looking for the railway station, we had to walk back when we discovered that it was in the opposite direction.
I decided that I would not join the two intrepid explorers in their journey into Paris. I went back to the Chinese restaurant, and ordered dinner. Soon after, another loner drifted in, who I recognised from the seminar. Dennis, from Switzerland, was not going home until Monday and had set of to find somewhere to eat, and upon recognising each other, I invited him to join me at my table. Before he could order, the Finns arrived. Much alcohol was taken, as well as some food. The two Greeks guys turned up and joined us, and one, a brave soul called Kostas (sorry if the spelling is wrong) asked if he could buy us all a drink, as it was his wedding anniverary. We accepted, and if Mrs. Kostas ever reads this, we toasted her for her anniversary, and for allowing her husband to be away on this special day.
Kostas announced he was a dead man.
When we returned to the hotel, despite the invitation, I had to make my excuses, and go to bed. The Finns partied on.
All in All, an excellent seminar, and thanks to Philippe and his helpers, it went smoothly. Well done to you all. Socially, I may recover, but it could take days yet. We met many old friends, and made several new ones.
To anyone reading this who has not practiced HNIR, consider attending one of these seminars. There were several absolute beginners - they ended up being taught by Soke himself.
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1:54 PM
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