It was hard to leave Shaolin Temple. They offered me a monk-ship on account of my ridding them of the curse of the banshee and restoring peace to the land. I told them sadly that all good things must come to an end, and there are people back home who need me even more than they do. Beau was even harder to get to leave- I actually got rid of the banshee by hooking him up with her. He said it was true love.
Really though the last day at Shaolin was awesome. We got the day off from training and Ming (the happiest monk in the world pictured in the chairlift next to the most disgruntled lift-worker in the world) showed us around. Turns out me and Beau are heavier than most Chinese, even with my twig-like physique, and we crashed through the foliage the chairlift is intended to gently glide over on the way to the top of the mountain. The views from Songyang peak were incredible, but unfortunately it was too foggy for any of the pics to really came out.
Later in the day we got the honor of eating lunch with the monks. We both agreed it was the best meal we've had since we got to China. Also the chanting and ceremony of the whole thing was unreal; just so communal and seemed almost utopian. The hospitality of the monks - Jay, Ming, the Head Master and everyone - has been incredible. They really did make us feel welcome and at home when we were actually as far from our homes as it's possible to get.
Now we're back in Beijing in the luxurious Peking International Hostel, drinking beer and eating pizza. It's not that we didn't learn anything from the monks, and it's not that we don't care, it's just that pizza and beer are delicious. Especially after a week of "Masterfully Mixes the Mountain Herbs" and "The Eggplant Cooks the Pheonix Foot."
It is amazing the little things you appreciate once you've been deprived of them for awhile. I had the best shower of my life when I got here, hot with good pressure and a geisha to get at those hard to reach back areas (obviously just kidding, geishas are Japanese, she was just a hooker) ((still obviously kidding, sorry Cory, I think I have tourettes of the fingers)).Tomorrow we go to the Great Wall. When we asked how to get there the employees at Peking said just follow the yellow-spit road. Seriously there's more phlem on the sidewalk here than at a '50s baseball game. We should get some cool pictures tomorrow though, and we're still having a blast.
4 comments:
And the wild things said "oh pleases don't go! we'll eat you up we love you so!!" and Ez so "No", and sailed home in a private boat.........all across the sea to his own room....something like that. You sound great. I love you. Mom
hey ezra, it sounds like you and beau have had the trip of a life time and thanks for keeping everyone up to date with your writings, we've all enjoy your sense of humor. you might be off on your date though unless you guys crossed the international week line getting there. see you soon. oh, and up date beau on the important stuff going on , celtics are 8 and 0, b. bonds has been indited,culpepper is starting for the raiders,d jeter is a tax cheat, and a rod is a yank, again.
And by hooker you mean it was Beau in the shower with you. Glad you guys had a great time at the temple and landed safely back in Beijing, in one piece...give or take a few pulled muscles.
That's phlegm you saw not phlem - at least you didn't write flem. Sounds like a fantastic time - I expect you to have an enlightened aura when I see you in Montauk.
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