Ladies Okinawan Tour in 2004

Tony-San · Post by **Tony-San** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 1:52 pm

FYI: Just got an email from Peggy Hess.. appearently she is organizing a tour of Okinawa in 2004 (April it looks like) for Women.

Sounds like a blast!

Peggy set up an email account for inquiries on the trip. Email her at the following email for details:

LadiesOkiFriendshipTour2004@webtv.net

Dana Sheets · Post by **Dana Sheets** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 2:41 pm

Thanks Tony,

My teacher had mentioned it to me, but we didn't know about the email address. I'm writing her now.

Dana

Van Canna · Post by **Van Canna** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 3:07 pm

That is a fantastic idea.Congratulations on this innovative thinking.

One question though: will the group be well received by all Okinawan factions or will the travelers be relegated to only one association.

Meaning are they free to visit any dojo they want, or will they be "steered" __

------------------
Van Canna

[This message has been edited by Van Canna (edited September 14, 2002).]

Tony-San · Post by **Tony-San** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 6:01 pm

According to Peggy's email, all groups are being treated equally because that is the way it used to be. In other words, Uechi is Uechi is Uechi...

krymrgn · Post by **krymrgn** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 10:28 pm

Sorry for misunderstanding the situation-
that's why I asked-

Trip sounds like a great thing-

[This message has been edited by krymrgn (edited September 14, 2002).]

Van Canna · Post by **Van Canna** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 11:02 pm

Well,let us say several women of the group wish to visit or workout with Toyama sensei, or Shinjio sensei, or any other association.

Will they be free to do so or be discouraged from doing so by the trip organizing association?

Will these other seniors and associations welcome such visit, and what would be the protocol for securing permission to visit and to workout?

------------------
Van Canna

[This message has been edited by Van Canna (edited September 14, 2002).]

Van Canna · Post by **Van Canna** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 11:15 pm

Here is the letter from Peggy

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>PLEASE NOTE: this e-mail address has been set up by me for the
sole purpose of corresponding ONLY on matters concerning.

"Ladies Okinawa Friendship Tour April 2004"

PLEASE USE MY REGULAR e-mail dphess@webtv.net FOR ALL OTHER
MATTERS

Thanks, Peggy

Greetings from sunny Florida! I hope this letter finds you all in
good health.

This past summer I have done a lot of traveling and have met with or
talked to almost all whom I am writing this letter to, so most of you
already have an idea of what this is all about.

For those who I haven't seen or talked with recently... A BIG
HELLO!!!!!

And now let me fill you in.

For sometime I have been thinking about putting together a "Ladies
Okinawa Friendship Tour. "

Recently I discussed the idea with Jack Summers, Frank Gorman and
Nakamatsu Sensei. All thought it was a great idea.

I then talked with almost 20 women black belts both in Florida and
New England at recent 'Intensive Training Seminars' held with Nakamatsu
Sensei. The response was 100% enthusiastically received...

A sign-up list was started so that I could keep in contact with
everyone who expressed interest....

That's about it in a nutshell!
Here are the details

*** A minimum rank of Ikkyu (Brown Belt) and
must be at least 18 years of age

*** This trip would be opened to all associations, Uechi Ryu,
Okikukai Shohei Ryu, Kenyukai, Pangainoon and Independents.
We all were together once!

*** Nakamatsu Sensei expressed that April would be a good month.

*** Depending on how many would be going. It is my plan to stay at
the Okikukai headquarters where there are two sleeping areas {not to
mention the dojo itself...sleeping in the dojo wouldn't be a
problem!) and cooking facilities.

*** We would most likely have the teachers come to headquarters for
daily training to include two hours in the morning and two hours in the
afternoon. The evenings would be set up for different dojo visits. It
certainly would be a lot cheaper than hotels and much more fun as we
would be all together. Further it is centrally located.

*** the cost should be almost $3000.00 to include your own
spending monies for personal gifts, spirits, foods, etc. {depending
on the number of travelers} There will be one set fee for all...this
would include; Airfare, Sleeping accommodations, Some food, Some
transportation (busses or vans for sight seeing and airport transport),
and donations for the teachers.

*** Everyone must have a valid passport

*** I thought 10-14 days would be long enough and would give us
time to do some sight seeing also.

I'm sure that I will get a lot of help and assistance in setting
things up from Okinawa.

*** Stateside, Frank Gorman said he would help me as he has done this
in the past and has a great travel agency he has been working with for
years!

However ...before anything can get off the ground I need to get the
word out a little more.

So for those of you who might know of someone who would be interested
in joining the "Ladies Okinawan Friendship Tour 2004" please pass the
word, this letter or this e-mail onward. Have them contact me with Email
information so they can be added to the mailing list.

For all who would like to join {{even if I already have your
information}} Please respond BACK TO THIS e-mail so that I can keep
better track of all information.

PLEASE INCLUDE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION
Name listed on Passport
Street address
City,
State
zip
Country
Daytime telephone number
Evening telephone number
E-mail address
Rank
Age
Dojo / Instructor

As I said previously, Nakamatsu Sensei said April would be the best
Time, so as it stands now I am shooting for April 2004.

That is only 19 months away. This is a lot of money! So for those
who really are serious you must start saving NOW!!!

Start tucking away, put yourself on a budget... so it doesn't hurt so
much ha,ha,!!!!!

*****This will be a trip of a lifetime complete with valuable training
and travel to Okinawa the homeland of some of the best teachers in the
world.*

ALL please confirm receipt of this email ASAP so that I know my
e-mail addresses are correct.
Yours in Karate Do,
Peggy Hess, Renshi Rokkodan
Jensen Beach Fla. Shohei UechiRyu KarateDo<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sounds like real fun.

Tony-San · Post by **Tony-San** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 11:52 pm

Van, as you know there are advantages and disadvantages of traveling with a tour group. Personally, because I don't know anyone at all in Okinawa, I would opt to go the tour group route just to be safe, at least the first time around. Peggy is very well organized and i'm sure any women that goes on that trip will enjoy every minute of it.

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Mon Sep 16, 2002 6:18 pm

I've been corresponding with Peggy recently, trying to get her some e-mail addresses.

I just want to say that I've known Peggy for about 19 years now. We attended many Thompson Island camps together, and even slept overnight together (SEPARATELY) in sleeping bags on various floors of kind souls that put up poor students.

For those that don't know Peggy, here's the deal.

1) Peggy is a pistol. She is a walking bag of energy, and is constantly doing something. Peggy knows what Peggy thinks and wants.

2) Peggy is a doer and contributor.

3) Peggy is a great instructor, and - as a peer - I really enjoyed a seminar she put on several years ago in D.C. It's fantastic when you can attend a seminar given by a brother/sister, and learn a few things. That says something about her.

4) Peggy has traveled Okinawa quite a few times, and MUST have good rapport. I know, because I see her saying and doing things that I KNOW she picked up over there from various DIFFERENT instructors. To make a long story short, they know her over there and appreciate her. On occasion I know that they have even used her as an example of good form.

5) Peggy has also traveled to other areas of the world for Uechi karate, such as visits to Germany with Jack Summers. They know her well over there.

6) Peggy is a sweetheart. I consider her family.

7) Peggy knows how to have a good time after hours.

So... MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS. And think of me when you go; I am jealous

.

- Bill

Kunoichi · Post by **Kunoichi** » Wed Sep 18, 2002 6:31 pm

Oh yeah! Count me in! You are right on the money Bill. Peggy is one of the most gifted women in Uechi Ryu and has a heart of gold. This is a trip of a lifetime and I for one don't want to miss out on this historic event! I'll be spreading the word among the ladies and saving my coffee money until then!

Deb Downing

reneef · Post by **reneef** » Fri Sep 27, 2002 3:35 am

Count me in as a definate maybe. I have moved this to the top of my things to do list. I am hoping to buy a house soon and will have to see what is left or maybe I'll skip putting in the lawn. This will be way more fun than fighting with a lawn mower.

I will E mail you at,
LadiesOkiFriendshipTour2004@webtv.net
for further instructions.

Imagine me on a trip like this WOW Renee

GIESECK · Post by **GIESECK** » Sun Sep 29, 2002 10:23 am

My name is Mike Gieseck and I live in Okinawa. I have been here, except for a couple years, since 1986 and a member of the Uechi-Ryu Karate-do Association (Some americans call it SOKE) since 1988. Although being an american has given me the freedom to befriend many different associations without causing a problem. If I can be of any help please feel free to send me an e-mail at gieseck@hotmail.com. My wife is Okinawan and we both speak english and japanese. Hope to hear from you.

Dana Sheets · Post by **Dana Sheets** » Mon Sep 30, 2002 5:43 am

So many people are interested -- it is very exciting. I hope that dojo instructors and others who read these forums are sharing this information with their ranking female students. The only way news of this tour can happen is word of mouth & word of email. So please don't be shy when you share the news. And try not to worry that you may tell someone who thinks they can't afford it. There is always a way.

In fact, there may be local women's associations, cultural exchange opportunitites (especially for those associated with universities & schools), and there's always the good old fashioned car wash & bake sale, yard/estate sales. If Uechi is to survive as an art it will do so with men and women students. This is a unique moment in the history of women in Uechi. So don't miss out!
Dana

[This message has been edited by Dana Sheets (edited September 29, 2002).]

Chip Quimby · Post by **Chip Quimby** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 10:13 pm

I would also eco many of the sentiments already voiced in previous posts. Peggy is indeed a very spirited practitioner and instructor who is also highly respected by the Okinawan Uechi community. I have no doubt that she’ll organize and lead a very successful and memorable trip for any women wishing to embark on such an historic training excursion.

Just don’t plan to go to bed too early, as I know Peggy-san also like to have some good fun!

Tony-San · Post by **Tony-San** » Mon Oct 21, 2002 12:59 am

I hear Peggy has signed up 27 Uechi women for this trip to date as well as several "maybees"!

I'm thinking I should sneak into the Mary Kaye stash here in the house and start practicing!