Karate and Swiss Chocco
Friday’s karate class was fun. It felt good to be back after a festive season spent doing nothing more strenuous than eating, drinking and kicking the odd football. I hadn’t stretched for a month and it was absolutely freezing so my pins were a little stiff. Thankfully it was a relaxed class. Light warm up; kick and punch drills; kata/form practice; no fighting.
After the class I gave the teacher and my fellow students some omiyage (souvenirs) from my new year’s trip to Switzerland. This took the form of chocolate. The karate kids were very pleased – even fighting over who got to keep the packaging. “This is so cool, thank you very much,” said one boy as he left clutching a piece of ingredient inscribed red plastic.
The karate teacher, Sakane sensei, told me that his father had been to Switzerland when he did a tour of Europe. From the pictures his father bought back he believed it to be a very beautiful place. I have to agree.
