Previous tour participant open for questions

[ShaolinLynx]

i have another question, my mom is terrified of snakes, do you think we will encounter any on this trip? personally i hate snakes as well...

I don't recall seeing any snakes during our trip in 2002. Many interesting bugs of all shapes and colours, but no snakes. }:) No guarantees, but they shouldn't be any problems on that front...

[ventrex]

got another question ^_^ , what weapon's do they offer to teach, and do they also have advanced forms for it? And will i be able to purchase weapons and bring it back to the US? do they sell combat steel sharpened weapons?

[ShaolinLynx]

got another question ^_^ , what weapon's do they offer to teach, and do they also have advanced forms for it? And will i be able to purchase weapons and bring it back to the US? do they sell combat steel sharpened weapons?

Last tour we learned either staff or spear, with the former being the more 'beginner' set. You will definitively be able to purchase weapons (I think we returned with enough to equip a small army) and we will visit and pass by many weapon shops. Insofar as 'combat steel sharpened weapons', perhaps yes, perhaps no. Selection and the quality overall of the weapons varies between shops. As most weapons are sold to be actually used for practice, the chance of finding something meant for battle is lowered, but that doesn't mean something that may suit what you're looking for can't be found.

Not looking for something similar last time I was there, I didn't notice if anything that might be described as 'combat steel' was found anywhere. }:)

[ventrex]

do you think i should take the begginner set? or advanced.. i would prefer advanced, but i rather someone with more knowledge than me guide me. I have 1 year and 5 months of expereince, by the time we get there i will have 1 year and 1 year and 8 months of experince ^_^.

[ShaolinLynx]

do you think i should take the begginner set? or advanced.. i would prefer advanced, but i rather someone with more knowledge than me guide me. I have 1 year and 5 months of expereince, by the time we get there i will have 1 year and 1 year and 8 months of experince ^_^.

You'll have a chance to see the sets demonstrated before you have to make the choice... train hard, and you can choose once we're there. }:)

[ventrex]

im definitly sure i wanna learn the advanced, but what if im a slow learner and i dont get it? will i drive them crazy? will they even want to teach me?
also... should i bring weapons that i own with me?

[ShaolinLynx]

im definitly sure i wanna learn the advanced, but what if im a slow learner and i dont get it? will i drive them crazy? will they even want to teach me? also... should i bring weapons that i own with me?

I'll answer the latter question first: I would suggest not. We don't know what weapon sets will be taught, and trust me when I say you won't want to lug your weapons all over China. There will be a lot of travel involved in this trip, and if you're lugging your Guan Do, Spear, Staff, Straight Sword, Broadsword, Double Daggers, Three Section Staff, Dragon Hook Swords, Monk's Spade et al... well, I"m sure you can imagine. }:)

Now, it is likely we'll learn a staff or spear set, but you can purchase a staff or spear suitable for the training for less than five dollars, and can leave it behind, making for a much easier trip to Wudangshan.

As for the first question I'll reccomend just looking at the form and judging once you're there. Once we've seen them, ask me at that time and I can give you a better idea. }:)