From Russia with Love 2008
This was the second time this year that I have been invited to Moscow to conduct seminars, I was met at Domodedovo airport in Moscow by George Khachidze. My hotel was Vega Hotel – Izmailovo which was quite comfortable with a great breakfast.
Training was for 5 hours a day, with the first 2 hours for brown and black belts, then all grades. There were 120 people altogether this was for 3 days then 2 days private training with dojo instructors.
I saw most of Moscow’s sights in the early 90’s but Moscow is such a diverse place, it can boast many cuisines, I was invited to not one but four different restaurants, Ukrainian, Georgian, Kazakhstani and Lebanese which served wonderful food and all were different.
Also I visited a traditional Russian Banya (sauna) which is natural heat; it can be so hot that you have to wear a hat to protect your head from the heat. After this you are massaged with oak leaves and beaten lightly of which increases the temperature and then you must jump into a ice cold bath and then repeat the process.
After that the serious business starts drinking tea or alcohol of which everyone has a choice and traditional food is served with conversations on the past, present and the future.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bogdan Kurilko and Igor Lizunkov for wonderful Gasshukus and taking care of me.
George Andrews
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Russia November 08 |
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