Sep 10: Cultural Immersion Day #8

That evening we went to the Wenhua Daoist temple -- by far our favorite temple so far. Not least of which because the monks all look like something out of a kids' picture book with top knots and chopsticks in their hair.

This was the first place where someone asked to take their picture with us, though we'd been told that Chinese often ask for photos with foreigners. But there was a twist. These three were doing a bit of a photo shoot, dressed in traditional gis and performing martial arts.

They had me pose with them in staged fighting stances -- and gave me tips as they did so. "Relax your shoulders" "move from your belly." (I am realizing as I write this, that this was the first effortless communication I have had here. They spoke Chinese, I spoke English, but hand motions made understanding effortless, to the point where I didn't notice we were speaking different languages. I suspect their studies of bodies and movement made silent communication a more self-evident form of interaction than it has been with others.)

After the static photos, they had me do a few, simple attacks, just pushing their shoulders or chests. If you have never sparred with a martial arts expert, it's a fairly spectacular experience. In my aikido days I had the chance a few times, but it's been quite awhile. You push one way, and then, whoosh! you're over there instead. It's a truly gentle experience, actually, but as determined and definite as being carried along in a river. They laughed and laughed at the surprised look on my face every time he placed me a foot to the side of where I'd thought I was going.