From March 8~21, 2017, I went with my grandfather (Soshihan) to Sweden and Norway. We had a practice the day after we arrived in our first stop, Sweden. We'd practice in the mornings, go sightseeing in the afternoons and then practice again in the evenings.
There were people from Russia, Poland, Serbia, Finland, Germany and England--from all over--at the seminar. Outside the seminar, I also attended a class for teenagers, and morning class. The dojo was in a basement with no windows, so it was very hot, like practicing in Japan during the summer. After morning practice, we would all go to breakfast together where everyone ate heartily and then went off to their various jobs.
Practice in Sweden is different from Japan; there's an "at-home" feeling to the dojo. After practice on Saturday evening, lights were dimmed and sushi was served to everyone. This was what was called a "tatami party."
In Norway, I stayed with dojo member, Inger, at her home. She fit me in while she went to her job. I was surprised that she left for work at 10 am and returned by 3 pm.
In Norway, I went sightseeing with my grandfather to the National Museum where we saw Munch's original "The Scream". There were other paintings there as well that I had studied about in high school.
This actually was my second trip to these countries, but I was so young that I don't remember anything about the trip. But hearing about that trip from people who were there then and meeting people who had come to Japan and stayed in the dojo made for an especially fun-filled two weeks.
Aikido Kobayashi Dojo Beijing, Zheng Xin Guan Seminar, Part 1
It all started from one call...... (by Hiroaki Kobayashi dojocho)
With my grandfather to Nordic countries on an Aikido tour (by Kaho Kobayashi)