CTI Black Belt Team World Tour '17, Part II

By Helen Grenillo-Weaver, green belt

THE NEXT THREE DAYS . . .

It was another bright and early day the next morning with everyone still working out as hard as they could! The day of the Midsummer Festival had arrived. We went to the Skansen Musuem to experience one of the most important holidays in Scandinavia (only 2nd to Christmas)! It was still early in the day when we got there, so we broke off into groups to explore the vast area on our own until it was time to meet up and witness the raising of the Maypole. The zoo here was one of the coolest ones I have ever seen. Every animal had ample space and comfort. Most of the animals were natives to Scandinavia, so it was the perfect place for tourists to go and see a little bit more of what makes up the country. After getting a good look at all the cute animals and more fantastic city views, we made our way over to the food and flower crown crafting.

As you can imagine, the days are often short, dark, and cold most of the year in the Scandanavian countries. As a result, celebrating the coming of Summer has become a huge deal. The maypole looks like a giant cross covered in greenery and flowers. Most Swedes weave a flower crown, so of course many of us part of CTI did so as well! When the maypole was raised, most people circled around it, linked hands, and danced around it to traditional music of the holiday. There was a lot of laughter amongst everyone from tourists trying to figure out what was going on to the Swedes trying their best to show us the ropes. It was a great way to interact with the locals and to educate ourselves on the different culture.

It may sound crazy, but we were almost having TOO much fun to the point where we were exhausted and ready to re-charge. Almost. We continued to keep up the pace! However, the bus wasn't planned to pick us up from Skansen for another few hours even though we were ready to go find food and explore new areas. Our hero, Almar, flew in and saved the day as always! He set us up with a ferry for all 78 of us to ride back to the main part of town! Needless to say, Almar is the best. It ended up being a much more thrilling ride home than the original plan! When we got off the ferry, we were dropped off right in the heart of old town to do some souvenir shopping. Old town is what we were looking for all along with all the cool shops, less traffic, and freedom to hang out right in the middle of Stockholm. We split off into small groups to eat dinner, relax, and talk about the holiday we just got to celebrate for the first time!

The Sweden part of our journey came to an end and it was time for the trek to Norway! The bus ride was long, but as always, the scenery was spectacular enough for it to be worth it. Once in Oslo, we had some time to look around all the shops and get a glimpse into their way of life. It turns out Norway has a fascination with trolls since we were able to find them on almost every block of the city! Be sure to look at all the cool, handcrafted statues in the pictures we all took.

The next day, we took a guided bus tour through Oslo. Our lovely guide showed us important landmarks and told stories about the city. We got to see the Norway Olympic Ski Jump from 1952, once we got further out of the city. It was a site to behold! It's hard to imagine even professionals jumping off of this, but we were told that when Norwegian kids learn to ski they jump off it too! In the summer when there is no snow, there is a zip line starting at the top and travels far past the jump into the woods below.

The next stop on the bus tour was The Vigeland Park. A whole park is dedicated to one artist's work, Gustav Vigeland. The statues were assembled in a circle and as you went around the people aged from infant to elderly.  I think it helped our group in general get a glimpse into a different culture's mindset, which is ultimately one of our group's goals to broaden our education.

Later that day, we all learned how to navigate a Norwegian train station in order for us to move onwards to Bergen! The train ride was a long one, but the seats were comfortable, we were able to walk over to a café wagon and as always, the scenery did not disappoint. We didn't get to Bergen until the sun was setting at about 11:30 p.m. We had a busy site seeing tour the next day, so we all went to bed as soon as we got to the hotel.

CTI Black Belt Team World Tour '17, Part I

SWEDEN AND NORWAY

It was June 15th  . . . I stopped the dusty, fully loaded U-Haul for a moment and thought about all the things that just happened during the previous two weeks . . . we had had the Moo Sul Kwan Summer Expo XXXIII on June 2 - 4, at the Keystone Ski Resort . . .  the Expo went exceedingly well, and now we had just finished up one of the finest Camp MSK's of all time . . .

I thought about how hard our students, instructors and special guests worked during those two major events . . . from Great Grandmaster Shin to our newest white belts, everyone had success through good old-fashioned hard work . . . could we keep it up?

As I was turning right, out of the Snow Mountain Ranch entrance, it occurred to me that I wouldn't be this far west for a long time, geographically speaking that is  . . .  everything was headed east for awhile . . . it was time to "keep pushing" to the next set of adventures - and it was going to take us halfway around the world! . . .  could we do it? . . .  is there anyway this could the best World Tour just like Expo and Camp? . . .  is everyone still energized, in shape and in-focus?  . . .  could the larger size of the group cause problems? 

Yes. Yes. Yes. and No! 

CTI Black Belt Team World Tour '17 was made up of 43 Moo Sul Kwan black belts and 35 family members, friends and lower belts.  Seventy-eight people of all ages, backgrounds, shapes and sizes.  This 8th leg of our World Tour was to Sweden and Norway in June, and was one to always remember!

Our group made its way to Stockholm, Sweden, through Heathrow Airport in London.  When landing in Stockholm, our exclusive CTI World Tour travel guide, Almar, was waiting for us.   Almar was our guide on CTIBBTWT2K'11 and we requested his expertise on this trip too.  We boarded the two big buses and headed to downtown Stockholm and the Scandic Sjofartshotellet where we would stay four fantastic nights!

There were so many experiences we had during our stay in Stockholm.  Make sure you speak with people that were on the trip, and ask them about it.  Here is but a short list:

We checked into our rooms and had time for our first group dinner.   Then it was off to bed to get ready for what was to come.  The next day was the longest day of the year, and we took full advantage of it (just like each and everyday of the journey)! 

We started off with a workout at at 6:30 AM.  Everyone was ready to go!  We took off jogging along the waterfront making our way to a nice park hidden in the trees.  It even came with an outside amphitheater that we used to our advantage.   After returning and having the first of the many wonderful breakfasts on the trip, we headed to the City Hall of Stockholm where we would board our ship for our ride to Birka!

Birka is Sweden's first city and Viking stronghold, is in the middle of Lake Malaren.  Birka was settled in the 750's and is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.  The two hour ride to Birka was fun!  The weather was great (as it would be the entire trip), and the group got the chance to see the magnificient scenery.  We made some small stops along the way enjoying the cruise.  A very nice walking tour followed with a period-dressed guide who took us around the island.  He provided us with the interesting stories, facts and history of the Vikings who settled and lived here.   When the very full day to Birka was over, we sailed back to Stockholm.  The group was split into smaller groups and everyone explored different interesting places for dinner in this city made up of seventeen islands.

The next morning began at 6:00 AM with our second workout in Sweden!  Before we got started, some black belt promotions took place.  We then ran to our favorite workout spot in Scandinavia, and after a good warm-up, basics and poomse, we worked with our parents who came that morning to exercise with us!

Another fine breakfast and we headed off to the Vasa Ship Museum.  This world-class museum was incredible.  This ship sunk in 1628 and was raised 333 years later.  It's the only 17th century perserved ship in the world and was sight to see!  When the Vasa tour was over, there was a little frisbee tossing for the locals.  Then everyone went to lunch at different spots in Gamla Stan, the Old Town of Stockholm a preserved medieval city center and where Stockholm was founded in 1252.

After lunch,  it was time for our first bike tour of the trip!  We divided up into four different groups and explored different parts of the city.  Dinner was at Blasieholmens Akvarium Restaurang and everyone had a great time, especially with the suprise dessert! 

Again, there was so much more that happened during these first couple of days . . . ask a trip member about their experiences, and look for more in Part II.

CTI Black Belt Team - South Korea, Part 2

The Black Belt Team Adventures Continue!

It's virtually impossible to relate all of the adventures, but here are some of the highlights . . .
It was 6:30 AM on day five, and the CTI Black Belt Team headed towards Kimpo International Airport for their flight to Jeju Island!

The 50 minute flight was quick, and pretty soon, the Team was on a new bus and it was touring time on Jeju Island.  First, the 42 made their way to Oedolgae Rock which had magnificient views and lots of intersting history and symbolism.  Lunch followed, featuring the infamous abalone noodles (ask a Team member), and it was on to Cheonjeyeon Falls.  The Team took a good hike down to the first falls and then over to the incredible second falls, while taking pictures, laughing and learning.

After a quick two minute drive, the Black Belt Team hit the beach to watch the surfers compete in a Korean surfing championship.  The Team got wet, lounged around and had some good fun!  (Ask a team member to explain what the bus driver did to them before they got back on the bus.).

Jusangjeolli Cliff  was the next scenic spot the Team visited.  It was another beautiful setting on the shores of Jeju Island.  Afterwards, it was time to journey back to Jeju City for a little shopping and an excellent chicken dinner - Korean-style!

One morning on Jeju Island, black belt team members got up at 6:00 AM at the Jeju Neighborhood Hotel and took a run on the back streets of Jeju City.  During the run, the group stopped at a hidden park in the middle of the city and did some board breaking for some eldserly early morning risers who were warming up with their own techniques.

On day six, after an incredible breakfast on the 17th floor, the Team went to explore Seongsan Sunrise Peak.  Group pictures were taken at the base of the volcano, in front of many happy Chinese tourists who were taking pictures of these Americans in MSK uniforms.  The Team then hiked up to the top of Mt. Halla.

The trek up to the top of the ancient volcano was a heated workout.  Mrs. Park led the way, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience.   At the to pof the crater, the Team took many pictures and also broke boards for the people from many different countries who were there.  Legs shaky from the volcano quest, everyone made it down safely, boarded the bus and journeyed to see the Hanyeo (diving ladies) and black rocks at the ocean.

After spending some time searching for sea creatures and watching the Hanyeo dive, it was on to Seongeup Folk Village where the team learned about living in ancient Jeju times.  The dynamic lady, who was the guide and actually lives the life, gave everyone a lively presentation about existing during the early days of Jeju Island . . . in Jeju-accented Korean.  Luckly, the Team had Mrs. Park and our tour guide, Yujin, to interpert the hilarious rantings of this Jeju native.

Go-Karts, Horseback Riding or ATVs?  Those were the choices before we went to dinner that evening. Mrs. Park led a group on horseback.  The ATV riders donned camoflauge,helmet and gear and rambled around.  Master John Sautel won at the Go-Kart track against some skilled drivers.

Could our CTI Black Belt Team possibly do any more?  You bet!

More of the trip continued on Part 3...

See some pictures of the trip!

CTI Black Belt Team - South Korea, Part 1

The CTI Black Belt Team at Kyung Hee University

Eleven day journey . . . thousands and thousands of miles . . . adventure after adventure after adventure . . . that pretty much sums up what our CTI Black Belt Team and Support Crew did on their tour of South Korea!  The group numbered 42, and everyone did a wonderful job the entire time.  Each really earned their World Tour Patch, because after the daily, multi-choices breakfast that was had, it was nine to nine each and every fun-filled day! 

On the first day, arriving at 5:30 AM from the United States, we met Mrs. Yung J. Park who was waiting for us when our plane landed.  After our first breakfast in the Land of the Morning Calm, the team got its "Korean legs" while touring Seoul National University's Ocean Wave Engineering project.  The walk around the campus located in Seoul, the wave research presentation and lunch at the university's Student Center got everyone acclimated quickly.

The next couple of days found the group touring ancient Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, shopping at Insadong and Dongdaemun shopping areas and working out in Yongin City with the Kyung Hee University Taekwondo Teams.

Our CTI Black Belt Team was able to work with the three main teams at Kyung Hee University. (These Korean black belts get their degree in Taekwondo and Major in one of three areas - Poomse, Sparring or Demonstration.)  On this second day of the trip, the team trained with members of the Korean Olympic Sparring Team.  All between the ages of 18 and 24, the Korean team had lightning quick feet and pushed our team hard!  Exercises started out with some big time stretching.  Then it was on to exercises that help develop and improve sparring abilities.  The beginning
of the exercise was similar to what is done in our CTI Power Taekwondo.  A few sweaty hours later, it was time for a little free sparring.

The following day the team returned to Kyung Hee University and was met by the Kyung Hee Demonstration Team.  But before the drive to the training, the team did the most touristy-thing of the trip . . . that's right . . . they went to the Unhyeongung Royal Residence.and took turns dressing in the traditional costumes of the late 1800's for pictures, education and fun!  Afterwards the team went to the historic Myeongdong area for some shopping and lunch at a local Korean restaurant.

When our CTI Team did arrive at the university, we met the Kyung Hee Demo Team and they showed us their demonstration that included some basics and some excellent breaking techniques.  Then, the Kyung Hee Poomse Team took over.  After a few hours of training, including a good long warm-up and countless kicking drills, it was time to trade some Taegeuk poomse back and forth between groups.  Taeguek il chang was performed by the Korean black belts.  Then our black belts performed Taegeuk il chang for the hosts.  Then it was two poomses at a time, with the Koreans going first and then our CTI team going next.  All the poomses were alternated back and forth up to, and including, the sixth dan WTF poomse Ji-Tae.  After the poomses, the Korean Team members were split up with our team members to work on different poomse techniques.

It was time to head back to the Provista Hotel in Seoul, and get ready for one of our favorite parts of the whole trip - meeting the Park Family for dinner.  And it was not just an ordinary dinner, it was a Hanjeongsik - a many, many coursed meal of exotically prepared yumminess. On hand were two of Great Grandmaster Park's brothers Dr. Song H. Park, Dr. Young H. Park, and many of their family members.  It was quite an evening, and a night for our group to remember for a long time!

Stay tuned for Part 2 of the CTI Black Belt Team World Tour '14...

Check out some pictures by clicking here.

Korea - 2014

Grandmaster James Sautel is taking the CTI Black Belt Team to South Korea, in June, 2014, for the seventh leg on the CTI Black Belt Team World Tour.

The other stops on the world tour were: Russia (1993), South Korea (2001), Ireland (2004), Mexico (2006), New Zealand (2007) and Germany (2011).

The CTI Black Belt Team World Tour is aimed at giving our instructors and black belts world-class experiences.  Exciting experiences like performing demonstrations in New Zealand, competing in Mexico, sparring in Ireland and training in Germany, are just the tip of the iceberg of the learning and fun that each individual team member has received from being on the CTI Black Belt Team over the years.

Accepted CTI Black Belt Team members work on a special list of requirements and training items to prepare for this fantastic trip to the Land of the Morning Calm.

Moo Sul Kwan black belts interested in applying for the CTI Black Belt Team should speak with their instructor.  There is limited space and time constraints.  Turn in the Black Belt Team Application Form as soon as possible for review.

Family members of the CTI BBT may apply for the trip by first turning in the Friends of the Team Application form available from the CTI Campus chief instructor.

Check back for more information!

CTI Black Belt World Tour '14

The Black Belt Team is Traveling to South Korea!

The announcement was made at the CTI Christmas Party on where our Black Belts will travel in 2014.  This will be the 7th leg on the CTI World Tour and it's going to be South Korea!

We made a trip to South Korea in 2001, and we return for more training, education and fun!  On our first journey to Korea, we discovered Seoul, Busan, Kyongju and many other fantastic places.  We visited a Korean Folk Village, trained at the Kukkiwon, sparred at a University in Seoul, visited ancient temples, went to the DMZ Zone, shopped in Seoul and much more!  Some of us even went to Great Grandmaster Park's Mother's 80th birthday celebration and visited a local Taekwondo school in Kyongju.

This next trip to the "Land of the Morning Calm" will involve new adventures for our Black Belt Team!   There is a CTI Head Start Pre-Training Schedule available for interested black belts and red belts from their instructor.