I hate skipping, there I said it. I spent 30 minutes repeatedly skipping 4 times then either standing on the rope or hitting myself over the back of the head. Now I'm fairly sure that I wasn't furnished with one of the magic ropes sprinkled with fairy dust that everyone else was using but, a bad workman and all that. While everyone else's ropes went click, click, click, click rapidly against the concrete, mine operated with a more purposeful (or embarassing) click ........ click ..... click .....at least it meant no running...which I am dreading.
After managing to cover myself in all kinds of skipping glory, I was apprehended by the head trainer. It took him all of five minutes to send me to the toilet dry retching which in itself is quite impressive. After this he decided to spend his considerable talents and rage on another poor soul.
Then I was taken into the ring by "Got", well I think that was his name. He taught me the very basics of throwing a kick without falling over....and other important life skills.
After 2 hours of training, I knew I was going to be in all sorts of pain. My muscles were already threatening to pack their bags and head on the next flight home.
I mosied into town and picked up a moped and a massive fry-up...yeah, yeah, all the pure travellers can give out about eating local food and so on but nothing was going to fill me unless it was 50% grease. The journey into town on a moped is about 12 minutes so it's a necessary thing to have.
My moped is a beautiful manly shade of turquoise and they had serious issues finding a helmet to fit my big ass head. I think they had to go borrow one from some other cranially endowed person. It still doesn't fit well....they had another one, but it was pink and with the turquoise bike already, I couldn't do it to myself.
It's been raining most of the day and more is expected tomorrow. Keeping stuff dry is not possible. To quote Chris Rock, "I've a nice moist house".
Friday, May 4, 2007
The Journey
I really should have looked at the flight details in advance of heading off. If I had, I would have noticed the 7 hour stopover in Amsterdam. Coupled with the other big stopover in Bangkok, the whole journey took about 36 hours, where I didn't sleep too much, I was shattered getting in.
The flights from Dublin Amsterdam was marred by the child in the seat behind throwing the mother of all tantrums for an hour and a half. Soon as I hit my seat it started....she found that kicking the back of my seat was a good way to get her (I'm assuming) drugged up mother to pay attention. Which was nice for me...the little brat. She bookended the flight by crapping her nappy at the landing, which again was nice for me given I was the only person within 4 rows to enjoy the aroma. Who says flying isn't a pleasurable experience.
Had a little scare in Bangkok airport. I heard there was two airports in the city now and just as I went to check in I went to check the boards to see where my flights was checking in. Conveniently, it was nowhere to be seen. I frantically checked a whole bunch of the boards and eventually found it. Note to the BKK airport people....put all flights on all boards....not some and random ones you dirty bastids.
After the horrible stopovers, I got into Chiang Mai and was met by Dave one of the Irish boys training here. He's pretty serious and is here for 12 months and has already had and won one fight.
The next day I got my room sorted out, which is a grand....hot shower and aircon...well fancy.
Took a look around the gym. It's got a proper ring and all the associated gear. From my room I can see and hear everything going on there. Sounds like those bags get a serious hiding every afternoon whatever they did to deserve it.
Had some grub in the local neighbourhood food spot. 20 baht per meal, which is 40c in old money....for rice and pork. I think I'll be having two of them in future.
As the gym is a ways from town, I'll have to sort a moped...cos those sangthaews (minibuses) are more random than Dublin Bus and that is saying something.
The flights from Dublin Amsterdam was marred by the child in the seat behind throwing the mother of all tantrums for an hour and a half. Soon as I hit my seat it started....she found that kicking the back of my seat was a good way to get her (I'm assuming) drugged up mother to pay attention. Which was nice for me...the little brat. She bookended the flight by crapping her nappy at the landing, which again was nice for me given I was the only person within 4 rows to enjoy the aroma. Who says flying isn't a pleasurable experience.
Had a little scare in Bangkok airport. I heard there was two airports in the city now and just as I went to check in I went to check the boards to see where my flights was checking in. Conveniently, it was nowhere to be seen. I frantically checked a whole bunch of the boards and eventually found it. Note to the BKK airport people....put all flights on all boards....not some and random ones you dirty bastids.
After the horrible stopovers, I got into Chiang Mai and was met by Dave one of the Irish boys training here. He's pretty serious and is here for 12 months and has already had and won one fight.
The next day I got my room sorted out, which is a grand....hot shower and aircon...well fancy.
Took a look around the gym. It's got a proper ring and all the associated gear. From my room I can see and hear everything going on there. Sounds like those bags get a serious hiding every afternoon whatever they did to deserve it.
Had some grub in the local neighbourhood food spot. 20 baht per meal, which is 40c in old money....for rice and pork. I think I'll be having two of them in future.
As the gym is a ways from town, I'll have to sort a moped...cos those sangthaews (minibuses) are more random than Dublin Bus and that is saying something.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Last minute preparations
Spending most of today nursing a monster hangover was not what I had planned. All credit for this goes to the lads out in FF. I had planned to be running around town getting the final bits and pieces I'll need for the trip....instead I ended up on the sofa most of the day eating Monster Munch and feeling worthless, but not really sure why. I'll end up doing a mad dash tomorrow and end up forgetting half the stuff I need. It's not too bad I suppose, I'll be able to get anything I need in Thailand.
Last night was great craic. I learned why not to try to keep up drinking at the same pace as Fearghal.....my hangover is testament to exactly how bad a bloody idea that is. Being asked to leave Toners due to the starting up of a sing-song was a highlight. These "real" Irish pubs....pah, I say, pah....no fucking sing-songs. That cos all the fat yanks, with their white tennis trainers don't know the words and will feel left out.
For those of you not familiar with the purpose of this blog, I'm off to Chiang Mai in Thailand to train in a muay thai gym. This in itself is pretty cool....when you take into account that I have no experience and will be totally fresh meat for all the 8 year old young lads in the gym, with 5 years training already, who've been dying to kick the shit out of a foreigner, you see how badly this could go for me. Ah, after the 9 months away travelling last year I'm definitely of the opinion that the most fun and interesting things you do will scare the pants off you for a little while at least. God, that's very philosophical....must be the hangover wearing off!
Last night was great craic. I learned why not to try to keep up drinking at the same pace as Fearghal.....my hangover is testament to exactly how bad a bloody idea that is. Being asked to leave Toners due to the starting up of a sing-song was a highlight. These "real" Irish pubs....pah, I say, pah....no fucking sing-songs. That cos all the fat yanks, with their white tennis trainers don't know the words and will feel left out.
For those of you not familiar with the purpose of this blog, I'm off to Chiang Mai in Thailand to train in a muay thai gym. This in itself is pretty cool....when you take into account that I have no experience and will be totally fresh meat for all the 8 year old young lads in the gym, with 5 years training already, who've been dying to kick the shit out of a foreigner, you see how badly this could go for me. Ah, after the 9 months away travelling last year I'm definitely of the opinion that the most fun and interesting things you do will scare the pants off you for a little while at least. God, that's very philosophical....must be the hangover wearing off!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)