Ferrara na China

Good evening you all. Good to see you here.

I am so sorry but how it is me whom will pay the bill, I have the right to say some words… (just kidding).

Five years ago I watched a movie where a Taiji master told: “ If you want to develop your Taiji skills you need to GO to China and learn from our culture”

I saved my money for four years, preparing myself to stop to work during one year.

And in February/29/2008 I came to Hubei University.

It was spring time and I thought: “What a beautiful season to start my new life in China”. Because in Spring Time nature is in expansion and everything grows…

“I think my life will grow also here in China!” I thought.

So I arrived here with this optimistic thought and under a cold that, for me, it was a hard winter and I started my Chinese Culture classes at the International School.

At the beginning I was the only student in the classroom and Chen Laoshi was a little bit shy, but with time we started to get used to each other and I enjoyed her classes so much.

After one week I was going to the school and see a lot of people practicing Tai Ji Quan at the basketball court, the playground. I was excited but I did not speak Chinese to say to the master I would like to practice. What could I do? I was here because of the Taiji and I would like to practice.

I went to the school and asked Liu Laoshi to write a message in Chinese for me, introducing myself and asking the Master if I could practice with them.

For my surprise, after reading the message he answered me in good English: “Of course you can! We are an open society. Come tomorrow at seven o’clock”. I did not expect this and astonished I just could tell him “Yes, thank you”. I went to my class laughing…

Next day I was there at 7 o’clock and tried to follow the people at the Taiji 85… “Well, not so difficult” I thought.

The second practice was the Sun Taiji. I tried to follow it but I could not understand why people were going back and forth all the time… I was totally lost when Cao Laoshi came and asked me: “Did you practice it before in Brazil”? I answered “Yes, a little bit in Brazil. But this is impossible for me to follow…” He laughed.

And in this way I started my practice in China.

Then Maria came to talk a little bit, Then Yang Chun Mei, Alex, and we started to have breakfast together, celebrating a good friendship. Slowly I started to be used to the ma2ntou, the dòujiang1, the dòufunǎo and that lot of happy and noisy morning people…

In this way I have lived in China for one year.

The most interesting thing is that some of you do not speak English and I still do not speak Chinese but I feel that we are very good friends. We are deeply connected by hearts just saying “Hello” or “ZaoshangHao” to each other.

This kind of relationship we don’t forget ever.

I am packing my things to return to Brazil.

In my luggage, I am carrying a lot of special things from China，including:

• The way Cao Laoshi is unselfish and teaches everyone who is interested in Taiji.
• The way Chinese people in general took care of me.
• The understanding Chinese people have for the other’s needs. Sometimes I did not ask for something but I have received…
• The happy and receptive way Chinese people receive someone at home.
• The hearty care you gave me during my stay in China.
• The meals with families during the Spring Festival.
• Delicious breakfasts prepared specially for me these last days.

When I was in Beijing I saw a beautiful old clock with the saying: “Tempus Fugit”, in Latin. Latin is a dead language, which is an important root for my mother language, the Portuguese.

“Tempus fugit” means “Time goes by”.

So, I am finishing my stay in China. My dream is reached.

And I will go back to Brazil during another spring time. What a beautiful season to start my new life in Brazil.