A Gasshuku in Poland
This was the best organised Gasshuku since I first started teaching in Poland over 5 years ago. Thanks to the efforts of both senior instructors in Bydgoszcz and Wroclaw the training would see an attendance of 110 participants
Thomasz Siewkowski and his assistant Agnieszka Formert from Bydgoszca, arranged comfortable accommodation and a spot of sightseeing for me. Thomasz took me to where he lived as a child. Not far from where he lived was a beautiful 18th century manor house that an aristocratic family lived in at that time. As we walked around the grounds one could imagine how people would arrive on horseback at the grand entrance where servants would wait and tender the guests. Stopping by the lake, which was home to an array of wildlife, one could hear the many different conversations that were apparent. There was an abundance of trees of many varieties like Oak, Birch, Pine and Evergreens. I suggested to my hosts that this environment would be great to do some training in Kakei. They took up position and after an hour when the the lactic fatigue had set in it was time for lunch.
They also took me to Biskupin - a settlement from the turn of the Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age (750 - 600 BC.), which was fantastic, take a look at the links. Next I was met by Adam Liwinski and his assistants Cazery Konwa from Wroclaw , we made our way to Cazery's summer home, which would be my hall of residence for the duration of my stay.
Another amazing place with history that tells a story of a very rich German family, the master of the manor was an officer in the German army during the first and second world war. This house would be a make shift hospital during the Second World War and towards the end of the conflict, would be a place for the children of the Hitler Youth Movement. But that is now history, and sitting in the garden once again surrounded by nature and the smell of burning wood to keep the ever-present mosquitoes at bay, I sip on my hosts home made wine and think how lucky I'm to be in such a place.
I look forward to returning in October to conduct another Gasshuku in Lebork, my special thanks to the Polish people for their hospitality.
George Andrews
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