Well, here we go again, it's Gasshuku Time. I've finished work, packed my bag, had a meal, and I'm ready to roll. So it's off to Sensei Andy's, where I'll stay the night and we'll drive down to the Airport next day, but first, before sleep, a visit to the pub.
Morning comes, and away we go, no problem with the journey except we didn't realise Lubeck was so far from Hamburg, but there's only one bus so we can't go wrong. Using the excellent transport system we find the Hostel (those steps are bloody steep and long when you're carrying luggage!) check in, find our room, and settle in, training next day, but first, before sleep, a visit to the bar.
Morning sees us on the bus to go to the Sporthalle, on our way I notice a street sign, and it says, Reeperbahn!!!
Now, I've led a sheltered life, I don't get out much and I'm not a man who drinks, but even in my naiveté' and innocence I've heard of this notorious place of lust, carnal temptation and alcohol, all I saw was a grubby, empty, rather grey and run-down road with a few shops, before I could see more, we were past, but more of this later.
The Sporthalle was a good venue as you would expect, plenty of changing rooms with showers of course, the main Hall is big, plenty of space for everyone to train. I was glad this year ALL grades were to train together. In the last couple of Gasshukus, Kyu grades trained at different times than Dan grades, a bit awkward if a couple were of different grades, but happily, not so this year, and I believe it made a lot of difference to many people. The first day in the Hall you have the chance to see if you know anyone from last time, look around for friends you made last year to renew old friendships. This year I noticed far more women participants attending the Gasshuku, maybe Hamburg was more convenient than other venues, or, there are more women taking up Goju-Ryu , which I hope is the case. Whatever the reason, it's good to see them there.

I shan't say much of the training, what can one say that hasn't been said already. It was of course, superb, delivered by Sensei's who are second to none. If you were there you'll know what I mean, if not, why not! that's your loss, get yourself on the next European Gasshuku in Spain 2005.
However, I must mention National Mae-Geri Day, when about 2 hours were spent kicking mae-geri in so many different ways, chudan, gedan jodan, gedan, jodan, migi, hidari left leg, right leg and so on. The combinations of kicks Sensei Higaonna got out of us was amazing, I'm certain at one point we were kicking both legs at the same time in different directions! Another bonus this year was two sessions of groundfighting techniques by Sensei Liejenhorst, the first of these sessions was slightly spoiled for me because there were no mats, for I am quite slim, and don't have a lot of meat on my bones, however, it was still very informative. The second one was better, mats were provided, we were able to do more techniques. Sensei Leijenhorst with one of his pupils gave a demonstration, they went in and out of holds, chokes and escapes like a greased eels. Marvellous to watch!

After training, back to the Hostel which was quite a good place, not The Ritz, but it was all that we needed and suited me O.K. The food was quite good and there was plenty of it, with choices for veggies(vegetarians), after dinner we could sit outside in the sun on the patio, which overlooked the river, but first, a visit to the bar (which was used quite a lot by some people!) for some Weissbier, very good and not as expensive as I'd imagined. The majority of participants were staying in the same Hostel, so the bar and the patio were good places to meet and talk over the days training, or just to have a good natter (light conversation, for any foreign readers). This, again, was different from previous years and much, much better, it makes for a closer "family" in my opinion.

On one occasion some of us decided to miss dinner and go to a recommended Turkish Restaurant, luckily, one of our party spoke Turkish, so ordering the meal was no problem to him, I enjoyed good food, good wine, good, warm weather, good surroundings and excellent company, sound!! (very, very good). After the meal we started to walk back to the Hostel, our way took us towards a rumbling noise mixed in with music, as we found the source of the sound, I realised where we were! REEPERBAHN!!! a very different place to the one I'd seen before, lots of lights, music, the sound of people enjoying themselves rides, food stalls, all sorts of things. I said it was a warm night, and to prove it, there, on a raised stage, doing a sort of acrobatic act, were two girls wearing only a smile and a thong, it must have been very hot up there! The audience was very attentive, unusual I thought, given all the activity around. It was O.K. but I'd liked to have seen a somersault or two! The rumbling noise was hundreds and hundreds of Harley-Davidson motorbikes, it was their World Convention, a bit like our Gasshuku really, there were some very nice bikes there that's for sure.

I was sitting on the backrest of a bench, looking in the general direction of the stage, when someone next to me said something about Urr, that's what it sounded like anyway, turning my head, my eye was almost poked out by what I can only describe as a large mammary protuberance, fortunately I was wearing glasses, which saved me from injury. I looked at her, her left hip was moving up & down like a worn shock absorber "Have you got the time?" "11.30" I said (how did she know I was English? Maybe my exclamation of surprise)
Her eyes lifted up to heaven, "No, have you got the time?" more emphasis. By now I'd got my glasses on straight and could take a look at who was speaking to me, her hair was straight and blonde except, for the roots,
a fattish face, with a beauty(?) spot under her right nostril, thin lips with a cigarette dangling from her mouth, shoulders like a wrestlers, a tattoo on her upper arm and very large hips supported by massive thighs. She almost wore a red leather blouse stretched very tight by the size of ..anyway… it was tight, a wide black leather belt (I was later told this was a skirt) and long red leather boots with soles so thick that if she'd fallen over she'd have broken her neck. "I've just told you the time". She sighed, heavily, "Do you want a naughty girl?" I told her I didn't want a girl, naughty or otherwise. What did this pouting floosie want?? She moved in closer, "Come on, you might enjoy yourself." I had to step back, she had breath like a hippopotamus. Then, thinking "Eyuup!" I realised what was happening, she wanted ..erm..thingy. "Fifty euros" she said. "No chance" I replied "I'm worth more than that, with me you'll have the most ecstatic 20 seconds of your life!" " Nein, dumkopf, you pay me!" I couldn't get my breath…. I was to pay!?! This tattooed tart expected me to part with money?? I looked her straight in the chest, " Madamoiselle, (I know a bit of German) I'm from Yorkshire, and we don't part with cash for the asking, as for enjoying myself, I'm also English and I'd feel guilty for a year if I did. She started to move forwards, it was time to retreat, "Good Heavens! Is that the time? I must catch up with my friends." As I ran away she shouted after me, no doubt wishing me bon voyage, she must have learned some Russian, it sounded like one of the words ended in "ov or "off". A close call, I could have lost my honour.

After the final days training there was the Sayonara Party and Gradings results that night. The venue was some distance from the Hostel so we needed a guide, who got us lost, but to his credit, quickly found the way.
I must say this was the best Sayonara Party I've been to, I had a wonderful time, and all without alcohol. Unless
you count the first free drink….or the shared bottles of wine… oh! and the vodka I smuggled in.
The D.J. played good Rock music, the meal had been great, I had a lot of dances, some with partners, some by myself, (I think). I was on Planet Happy and enjoying myself, so was everyone, it was a marvellous night for me. I'll never forget it, ever! Another good thing, no hangover next morning, must have been the vodka.

My thanks to all at the Gasshuku first to my dear friend Conny who trained with me in Sheffield and took the trouble to keep on touch, to shy(?) Charlotte and her lovely friend Hille, to the lads Andy and I shared our room with, 'Jack' and Johann polite and courteous gentlemen, the people I partnered when training, Christina, Miriama, Gisela, Yuri a pleasant lad, good kicker, we hope to meet and train in London, a gentleman from Scandinavia who left me with some fine big "training badges", Margaret,(I knew you'd turn up), Steve, who I partnered a few times, and, while ground fighting, educated me in the value of a groin protector, he had one, I didn't,… the pain went off after a while, Kevin the scouse Nederlander who helped me get rid of cramp. Good to see the guys from Groningen once more, and to have made new friends (I hope) from Nijmigen especially the charming and beautiful Collete, my dance partner, with whom I fell in love at first sight. I'll never look at another woman again…..well… perhaps a glance now and then. Heartfelt thanks to my English companions at the Gasshuku for their friendship and company. And really, to me, that's what a Gasshuku is about, not only for the training,(superb as it is) but friendship and company, a weeks relief from the stress we have most of the year, even a simple friendly nod & smile helps to make it a special time. To be with people who treat you with respect, courtesy and friendship. Woops! getting emotional, mustn't have that, I'm English!

Can't finish without sincerely thanking Sensei Peter Lembke and his magnificent team for the hard (and tuneful) work they did to make everyone's stay as pleasant as possible. I don't know any of their names except
Yasmin, a lovely girl, who was so worried she couldn't find the way back for us to the Hostel in time, (the doors were locked at 2a.m.) the night of the Sayonara Party, everything turned out fine. Thank you ladies and gentlemen. I have to confess I was a bit worried lads when I saw those pink T-shirts, thankfully, all was O.K.

Well, that's almost it. The 21st European Gasshuku is over, we've been back at work for a week, in a few more weeks and months the memories fade, but not for me, for personal reasons, I needed that Gasshuku. I won't forget what a wonderful time I had and the smashing people I met in Hamburg. I will try to get to Okinawa, but the majority of the people I met this year will not be there, which is a great pity. I sincerely hope to see my friends again in Spain 2005. Oh dear! Getting emotional again! Can't be having that! I'm English!
Sayonara, and thank you all once again!

Sensei Chris Robins 3rd Dan O.T.G.K.A.& I.O.G.K.F. Sheffield, England, 2nd August 2003

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