SHAOLIN TEMPLE — 7 November 2012 — Two things happened to me today.
1. I surrendered.
I surrendered to following my Kung Fu monk for the rest of the week. 
I gave up my plans to go to Shanghai, Chengdu and Lijiang. Continue reading
SHAOLIN TEMPLE — 6 November 2012 — The day after I played hooky did not start so well.
First, I had to do extra laps around the temple.
Then I got a lecture.
“There’s a saying,” my shifu began. “Once a teacher, always a father.”
His eyes looked into the bottom of me. Continue reading
Shaolin Temple — 4 November 2012 — Ma buh is nothing.
On my first day of Kung Fu lessons, ma buh, horse stance, was a killer. You can read about it here.
But the real torture started today when I began to learn a series of high kicks that, if I can do them right, would make the Rockettes look like wimpy girls. I kid you not.
Here are the kicks: Continue reading
Shaolin Temple — 3 November 2012 — Yesterday when I got back to my hostel, a young monk came over and gave me a pair of Kung Fu pants. News travels fast in a small village and he had heard that the American staying there (actually, I was the only guest for all but one night of my entire stay) had been taken on by a Kung Fu master, and needed monk clothes.
Then he took me to a village store where I bought a pair of Kung Fu shoes. At another store, I got a pair of Kung Fu socks, just like the ones in the movies!
How to wear Kung Fu pants: Continue reading
Shaolin Temple — 2 November 2012 — Today’s post is going to be short. No fancy photos. No long descriptions. Nothing.
All I wanted to say is that I had my first Kung Fu lesson at Shaolin Monastery.
And it’s a miracle I survived.
In the morning, I showed up here:
It’s the calligraphy shop at the temple. The courtyard beyond the glass door was where I trained. Continue reading
DENGFENG — 31 October 2012 — There are no trains to Dengfeng. To get there, you either drive, take a taxi or ride a local bus. I had hopped on the bus — the cheapest (36 yuan, or about $5.70) and hopefully, most adventurous option — and it did not disappoint.
First, it made many stops along the way, picking up passengers standing by the side of the road.
Continue reading
