The Shaolin Zone

[Greg]

No, Yanran? (Let them fight!)

I hope you took a lot of pictures at the Abbott's pad.

[Drunk Monk]

No Yanran. Conspicuously absent.

I took some pix of the abbots chambers. We were only in the courtyard of the abbot’s pad which was filled with statues and stuff. Gigi got a funny pic of me lifting a stone lock (traditional Kung Fu kettlebell) that was freakin heavy - 88 something (didn’t recognize the character). She was delighted about that pic - took her time to take it. Then a monk came to chase us out because we werent supposed to be there. He recognized us and then welcomed us but we didn’t go in.

[Greg]

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

You in this pic or taking pic? I think I recognize Gigi & The Abbot

[Greg]

I posted the Pic from FB via the Abbott.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

So you in this pic?

[Drunk Monk]

If it’s the big group pic, no. I’m not in that pic (can’t see it here in PRC). I was on the outskirts taking pix, which was silly. But I didn’t want to stand in the sweltering sun.

Just got back to the hotel. That’s a story in itself but I need to chill for a bit first.

[Drunk Monk]

BTW Yanran injured his foot which is why he’s not here. Rumor is that he tore his Achilles.

My new made4thistrip collared embroidered KFM shirt is spattered with red pepper oil. It looks like a severed someone’s femoral. I’m going to leave it to remind me of the fine meal I had here.

[Drunk Monk]

The conference was exhausting. It had its interesting presentations but many were dull and everything was done in Chinese and English so it took twice as long. Our presi had tech issues with our slides so it didn’t go well, but we got it done

Had lunch in the monks hall which is very ritualistic. It begins and ends with chanting and the meal is eaten in silence. There are special hand gestures used to communicate how much of each serving you want in your bowl. Three different veg dishes, a bean soup and rice. It was simple food but fresh and tasty. Plus it was a zen meditation of sorts, surrounded and being served by monks. A special experience. 

I made it to the wushuguan and saw so much change. All the building in between are gone, including a small stadium. All replaced with pine trees and bamboo groves. It’s beautiful. The wushuguan brought back many memories. It’s very different now. I got emotional about it, not sad, just grateful to have been there in the day.

They didn’t have a bus from the temple back to the hotel (10 miles). Everyone is supposed to taxi but I still have no Chinese money and my credit cards don’t work here. A monk friend got me a ride in the abbot’s Benz van - posh! 

Then master Yu from the Bay Area took us to a local hand cut noodle place that was incredible. So spicy!  Best Chinese food I've had in 20 years. I had a mild headache all day from Jet lag and exhaustion but that noodle soup burned it out of my brain. A clean fresh pepper. I was sweating & tearing & sniffling but I couldn't stop eating it. Yum. 

His cousin picked us up in a new Huawei electric van and it blew everything I’ve seen out of the water. So posh! The dash was 3 screens and the van had an onboard ai that talked like a Star Trek computer - it even opened a gate to the hotel when asked. Ther was a drop down movie screen for the passengers and our seats had a massage function. All auto doors, cool cabin lights, a moon roof, some tech I’ve never seen in a car. If PRC tariffs weren’t so high, these Huawei e-vehicles could crush the US market.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Super cool!

[Greg]

The FOMO is real.

[Drunk Monk]

I was given two awards from Shaolin. One for 30 years of transmission (I think a half dozen of us received this plaque) and another for Best year of practice (I have no idea what that means and another half dozen plus got this). I feel seen.

[Greg]

DM: The Legend continues!

At least you got some cool swag to bring back with you.

[Drunk Monk]

I got an insane amount of Shaolin swag - books, medicine, a jade guasha scraper, even an extra bag to carry my dirty laundry home because my backpack is too full. I’m hoping I can get away with it still all being carry on.

[Drunk Monk]

Bumped into a Shaoliner at the airport from Houston. We spent 10 hours chatting, eating & shopping and that time flew by. Now just 2 more hours to go before I board. Eager to sleep on the plane and looking forward to being home.

---

I can see that pic now. It is not the one I thought it might be. In fact, it’s really minor in comparison to the one I thought it was.

My Shaolin pic barrage shall begin tomorrow. 

I bought some more silly gifts. The Taiwan airport is astounding, a monstrous high end shopping mall with lots of entertaining themed waiting areas (except the one I’m currently at). I still have a few Taiwan bucks but I cannot fit anything more in my luggage and I’m tired of carrying it. 

Just gonna sit for the next hour until I can board and watch my phone run out of juice.