My Tai Chi

Last Thursday marked the end of my Tai Chi classes. I really enjoyed my time there and even became acquaintances with some of the old folks there, including my instructor. I've always liked the company of older people, although I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because they have so much life experience and are good story-tellers for that. Maybe it's because they don't feel the need to impress others or act "cool" and so their honesty and candidacy make me appreciate their sense of humour and wisdom.

When I was planning my trip to Ireland with my travel agent, she asked if I wanted to go with Contiki Tours, ages 18-35 only, or Trafalgar Tours that usually attracts the older crowd. Without missing a beat, I said Trafalgar. I had so much fun with them every night after each tour -- those old folks really know how to party it up! I wasn't the youngest on the tour; there was a 16-year-old boy who came with his parents, but I could tell that he was a really cool kid who didn't mind going on a trip with his parents just as long as he got to travel. Every time I saw the Contiki Tour bus, I noticed that the kids always came off the bus looking really tired; they must've partied every night, but what fun is a sight-seeing tour if you can't stay awake for it? Our group partied, too, but maybe at a different level. We didn't go clubbing, but we went pub-hopping all the time. Sometimes, even I had to say good night at 1 or 2 in the mornings and leave the old folks to continue partying until 4 or 5 in the wee early hours. On and off the bus, our tour group always had a blast together; in fact, some of us have formed solid friendships with each other. I was a pen pal with a couple and a family of three for several months before we moved on with our lives.

Tai Chi was supposed to improve my balance and health and I think it did its job. By the last night, we all were able to follow our instructor in two new sets without too much trouble. You should've seen us on our first day. We all looked like a bunch of drunken sailors trying to walk straight in a squall. On Thursday, we were a flock of geese moving in the same direction gracefully. I'm really glad that I participated in the class. Even though I don't remember all the steps in sequence, I feel comfortable enough moving from one position that I've learned to another seamlessly even if those moves don't actually go together. The moves are just slower versions of how you would defend from and attack an opponent. I loved the art of seeing the moves and appreciating how each joint and ligament worked together to create such a beautiful stance that slowly transforms into another.

Maybe I'll drop in on a class or two in the future. But now, I'm ready for something new.