Remember it's the experience of ONE person, for ONE trip, with NO preparation and contacts, and ROUGHING it in a - by the sounds of things - very poor local school. I've been to Shaolin twice (3 months first trip, 3 weeks second trip) and had excellent experiences both times, with the first a big "adventure" which I will remember forever as well as having helped improve my MA no end.
All the same don't expect 5* luxury, Shaolin still is a somewhat "uncomfortable" travel experience, but if you have suitable budget and contacts then it can by all means be enjoyable and have a huge impact on your MA skills. And remember, Shaolin is the cradle of 'kung fu', 'hard work', and as such IMO must be reached as a place somewhat difficult to reach, to be "earned", a place of fighting monks forged by hard training and harsh environment ... the day (appraching a little too fast) that staying at Shaolin will be like staying in Vegas will be the day that going to Shaolin has lost any meaning.
So get the contacts, save the budget, go there now, train hard and enjoy
Wall
PS: I really enjoyed the book ... often "obnoxiously funny" in its americaness ...
Last edited by wall; 11-13-2005 at 03:12 AM.
> it is your mind, that creates this world >