Cookies and Kung Fu

Several days after I arrived in Dali, I went to check out a buddhist temple in the area offering classes in Kung Fu, Tai Chi and meditation. The temple (wu wei si) is partway up a mountain with scenic views of the valley below. For a small fee you can stay at the temple to train. Included is a room, three great meals and training. The monks at the temple were between 13 and 20. They were loads of fun to hang out with. But don't be fooled, as the agreement says 'this is not a hotel' and after a few days of training my body was really feeling it.

.1 Frank's Map

The day starts at around 6:30 am when the monks and the foreigners must run down to a nearby river and carry a rock on there head back to the temple (assumably for building purposes) At 8 am it's time for breakfast and then from 9 until noon its Kung Fu session number one. At noon we ate lunch and then had a break until 4. On my break some of us taught english to the kids, but many days I was just to exhausted to do anything except sleep or read. From 4 until 6 we trained again until dinner. After dinner the foreigners ate cookies and drank hot chocolate while the kids did yet more prayers. Sometimes in the evening we did some meditation.

1 Start of the Day

But I never pictured myself doing martial arts, but honestly this place was just so cool, and the people there were unbelievable. The people at the temple and the other foreigners there really made the experience for me. Another added bonus was the exeptional food, Chinese vegitarian dishes.

After 10 days of laughs, sore muscles and some of the best food on the trip I was ready to move on. With the help of my teachers I was able to learn some kung fu and tai chi forms. For me, the tai chi was really great...I always thought it was just for old people but man, seeing those monks do it...wow! There was some serious energy there.

1.05 More Stones

1.1 Doing my part at 0630 *NEW*

1.2 The Food *NEW*

1.3 Our Cooks *NEW*

1.4 Playing *NEW*

1.5 Stretching Class *NEW*

1.6 More Stretching *NEW*

1.7 The youngest monk *NEW*

4 The Master and Wei

5

5 Little Tiger studying

6 The Temple courtyard

7 Frank the PowerRanger - Yeah Baby!

8 Group Shot *NEW*

9 Good bye1