Delapan Bayangan (IX)

I joined the kung fu ”Delapan Bayangan” or “eight shadows” every Monday we went to practice. There were about five of us and I was one of the youngest among them, Bang Nelson was the most senior person and was also one of the “Shin She” or coach. We left home at about 6:30 PM and we took a bus from Rawamangun to Senen. The practice place was on the parking area on the top roof of the building. There were about four “shin she” My favorite was Suhandi. He was a Chiness Indonesian, and he was tall and sturdy. We would do some warm-up before we started the practice. The part that I loved so much was the fight. Where two people would do the fight with some kicks and punches. Usually after practicing we would lubricate our arms and legs with some traditional chiness oil for releasing some stress after practicing.

I loved martial arts so much and learnt some steps or moves. Prior to joining “Delapan Bayangan” I joined in the Betawi traditional Pencak Silat or Martial Arts. I also learnt how to use double stick and “toya” anything to do with this activity always interested me. I was very much inspired by kung fu movies. My idol was Bruce Lee, I watched almost every movies of his. I even made my own painting with crayon of Bruce Lee and stick it on my room wall and was so proud of it. No wonder I was often involved in some fights at school, as my friends would count on me for any fighting

to be continued...