Hamburg Germany July 2003

Another training camp with Higaonna Sensei, this time it was in Hamburg, the location was quite busy due to the 100th anniversary of the world famous bike rally Harley Davison, where over 100,000 bikers displayed some of the most amazing bikes I've ever seen.

I'm glad to say that the training was quite away from the roar of all those wonderful machines. The sports hall was big enough to cater for the 350 practitioners that assembled to receive instructions from the master.

Every morning would start with breakfast at 7am, then a bus ride to the dojo where every day the chief instructors of over 17 counties, would train for 2 hours.

The remainder of the participants would join us for a further 3 hours of training with Higaonna Sensei and his assistants. All aspects of Goju-Ryu were covered, the emphasis being on basics for the first hour, and some times longer. By the look on some of the people's faces and the applause that Sensei received I would say that they enjoyed and understood what he portrayed.

After training we would return to the hostel, take a shower and have a snooze then meet for dinner and talk about the days training and have a laugh or two.
We were very close to the famous 'Reeperbahn' red light district in Hamburg, which was very much occupied by the Harley Davidson contingent, I must say did not witness any disruptions and everyone seem to be enjoying themselves.

This is about the 50th Training camp I've attended with Sensei Higaonna and his ability gets better every time I see him, he is 65 years of age, and still demonstrates and performs techniques better than someone half his age, I say this because his life is only training in Karate-Do and meditation.

I would like to mention one of Higaonna Sensei's assistants, that was a great help in making this Gasshuku a success, with his endless work, and determination. Nakamura Sensei is a asset to IOGKF, and translates everything very accurately. Without him a lot would be lost.

I would also take this opportunity, to thank Sensei Peter Lembke and his staff for their hard work in making this Gasshuku enjoyable.


George Andrews

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