I always like to experience the “local” when I visit countries so I opted for a coach from the airport to city centre. It was easy to find information and buy a ticket and one comfortable coach ride later I arrived in the beautiful city of Stockholm. Now, I’m from Scotland and we do have some chilly nights but boy was it cold in Sweden, a lovely crisp night… but cold!
I was met at the coach station by my host Theo Wompa who chauffeured me to the STF af Chapman & Skeppsholmen Hotel where I was staying for the weekend, a beautiful building right on the western shore of the islet Skeppsholmen. I was checked in and in my nice, clean, warm room in no time. The following morning after a much needed nights rest, I had breakfast and, with time to spare before the Seminar started, I ventured out for a walk around the city. It was a gorgeous clear, sunny day (but still cold) but the streets and shops were busy. I saw and photographed some stunning architecture, had a walk along the “High Street” and watched some locals ice skating in the Town Square before heading back to my Hotel to prepare for the seminar.
I was met at the coach station by my host Theo Wompa who chauffeured me to the STF af Chapman & Skeppsholmen Hotel where I was staying for the weekend, a beautiful building right on the western shore of the islet Skeppsholmen. I was checked in and in my nice, clean, warm room in no time. The following morning after a much needed nights rest, I had breakfast and, with time to spare before the Seminar started, I ventured out for a walk around the city. It was a gorgeous clear, sunny day (but still cold) but the streets and shops were busy. I saw and photographed some stunning architecture, had a walk along the “High Street” and watched some locals ice skating in the Town Square before heading back to my Hotel to prepare for the seminar.
Day One: Before we even picked up a stick or warmed up there was a short introduction to B3 Balintawak and [ CCM ] The Coach Cot Method for Combative Movement. With that done and everyone itching to get practicing we moved on to the drills to put the principals into action. The day was broken up into short periods for practice, discussion and questions with a break midday for lunch ( a thank you due to Theo for the delicious lunch ). As is usual at seminars, we ran out of time before we ran out of questions or enthusiasm but at least we had the next day to look forward to.
After a good first day, I was welcomed to Theo’s home for a meal and, as is the tradition when two passionate martial artists get together, a lengthy and interesting discussion about the various aspects of martial arts, interspersed with stories and laughter.
A huge thank you goes to Theo and his family for their warm welcome and hospitality.
After a good first day, I was welcomed to Theo’s home for a meal and, as is the tradition when two passionate martial artists get together, a lengthy and interesting discussion about the various aspects of martial arts, interspersed with stories and laughter.
A huge thank you goes to Theo and his family for their warm welcome and hospitality.
Day Two: With the attendees a little more familiar with my Scottish accent and getting accustomed to my sense of humour, the 2nd day started with the obligatory recap and then in to applications of the previously learned B3 Balintawak with knife and empty hand. The attendees worked hard in the well known drills, adapting the methodology to suit what they already knew and trying out new drills to emphasise particular parts of the movements learned. I was glad to see that by the end of the day everyone was still smiling, enthusiastic to learn and asking questions. To the point where, as usually happens on seminars, they have to throw us out so they can lock up.
