Private Show
June 14, 2005
A woman (presumably from next door) just walked down the driveway between our two buildings, stopped perpendicular to my window, and is proceeding to practice some sort of martial art.
Why is she practicing this now, at 11am?
Why has she chosen this driveway?
I haven't seen her before; is she a new employee?
It's fascinating. I'm sitting here pretending to focus all of my attention on my computer monitor so she won't become self conscious and stop. But really, I can't keep my eyes off of her.
Am I horrible for taking her picture?
5 Comments
The woman appears to be of Chinese ethnicity, and the pose appears to be Tai Chi (or possibly Chi Kung). In the big, overcrowded cities of China, where these arts are very popular, there often isn't availability of a designated space to practice.
People simply find a space (a side lot, the top of a building, a park if you're lucky) near their homes that isn't being used and practice their art. Usually this is done in small groups, but maybe this woman doesn't have anyone else to do it with.
It's not something for which a Chinese practitioner would typically seek privacy. In Chinese cities, you don't expect privacy unless you're inside a private building. I doubt it mattered to her that you were watching, any more than it matters to me and my fellow students if someone comes into the dojo and watches us train.
Also, this woman will not go kung fu on your ass. Tai Chi is more like Yoga than Karate.
Perhaps you should take a break and go out to join her. She might like teaching you and you might expand your horizons. Tai Chi is great for exercise and stress. Take a risk, make a friend, cross a culture.
Peter beat me to the punch, but as Ms. Frizzle would put, "Take chances, make mistakes and get messy!"
And to answer your question... yes.