Calder Back in Kiwi Land

I am back. It was a long three months filled with many good times. I met new friends who looked after me very well making the Kyoto experience all the more enjoyable. The Judo was of high caliber and I could train everyday three times a day if I wished.

At the start it took a while to get settled in as we had to get our bearings. Lucky for Tim and me we had “G.p.s Jordan”. Jordan had been home stayed in Kyoto for two weeks before I arrived so he was a good tour guide and knew where all the trainings were. The training at the start I thought was too easy but it didn’t take long for rick to throw us into the deep end and get us training at Ritsumeikan University and the Riot police. Here we could get all the randoori we needed at top level.

In an effort not to go crazy from over doing the judo we made sure we got out and about. Kyoto is a beautiful place with so much to do. From markets and festivals going on every weekend to visiting temples shrines and experiencing culture, we had plenty to keep our minds entertained. one of my good memories in Kyoto was when Rick and yumiko rented a small car for a day where Jordan and I were lucky enough to be taken along for the ride far into the countryside were we got to visit a traditional Japanese township with some of the most gob smacking temples I have seen.

Thank you again for the great day out.

I was lucky enough to be invited to lunch and dinner on numerous occasions by Aoki san and Nakagura san. Two of Rick’s friends who made my stay very enjoyable and an experience to remember.

I went to Japan for Judo. And the Judo in Kyoto was more than accommodating. We all trained hard and our Judo improved rapidly. It was an experience that would not have been possible with out the help of University Judo Club and their sensei Rick Littlewood.

Thank you for all your generosity. Good luck to all those who get to experience Kyoto judo. I can only hope it is as beneficial as it was for my own judo career.

Thanks Again,

Lee Calder

[Lee back in 2006]