ciality; Mousaka, very tasty meat. The drinks available were quite peculiar; most of them were alcoholic including their famous Ouzo which was very strong and tasted like liquorice. After the meal we looked around at the local beach. This was the first real beach we saw of Greece and were very amazed at how nice the sea was and how hot the sand became. Finally, we decided to return to the hotel where we unpacked and sorted everything out. Later that night we were all invited to a party hosted by one of the Greek students who had a summer house nearby. We were all kindly driven to the location nearby, but were surprised to find that there had been so many car accidents on so many different roads. At the party a large variety of different meats and salads were available as a barbeque was on. As the party went on, it became dark at around 11:00 and we decided it best to return to the hotel at around 12:00 and get some sleep for the long day to follow. Tuesday The Tuesday was an early start, especially for Master Kim and Master Dimitrios who started at 6:30am. Master Kim took a private Master’s class teaching very advanced techniques and theories to Master Dimitrios, this lasted until 7:30, when the Black Belt class began. Around fifteen showed up for this, four of which were the English students. The class was lined up and we all bowed to Master Kim as he thanked everyone for attending. We all took part in combination kicks demonstrated by Master Kim at the front, these included kicks in different directions for multiple attackers as well as aerial kicks. We began by going through 2nd Dan attacks, and defence
from wrist grabs. Master Kim and Master Dimitrios went around and helped everyone understand the importance of preemptive attacks and how to immobilize someone without severely injuring them. Hapkido’s mentality is that your opponent is stronger than you and thus you do not rely on strength rather your training, these pre-emptive attacks incorporated this very well. Not only were the attacks shown, but submissions afterwards, which are very painful. Sword was taught afterwards with the black belt class being split into two, the beginners and the more advanced. Master Kim took the beginners to teach the importance of basic cuts, and explained that these are essential to progress any further, whilst the Meadowfield club instructor showed more sword patterns to the other group. Eventually, we all lined up
and quickly paid our respect as 9:00 came; the end of the black belt session and the start of breakfast. Although still dressed with our belts on, we got some funny looks on the way to the canteen. However, the buffet breakfast was very nice and helped rejuvenate us, as well as give us the opportunity to see the coloured belts, whose session began straight after breakfast at 9:30. By the end of breakfast we made our way back to the tennis court, on hotel grounds, where we trained, now the sun was up and the heat became very apparent. Master Kim arrived and lined the whole class up, we paid our respect and Master Dimitrios then presented a gift to Master Kim; a large stone tablet with Alexander the Great’s portrait sculptured into it. Master Kim was very pleased and thanked him. Straight after we went into
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