the beginning of the end

Here it is – the true martial art. Everything else is circus and childishness. That is precisely why martial art cannot be applied in its full magnificence for sporting purposes. It was created for self-defense and war. And in both, what matters above all is preserving life and health – both your own and that of those we protect. And if we play at a duel, if we think about how to cause the enemy less harm and not cripple him, we may fail at that responsible and primary task – to survive and eliminate the threat with the least losses. Hence, true martial art is deadly serious in its very essence, and it is, of course, not for everyone. But I could be wrong, for I am far from perfect in this. Just thoughts out loud.

THE BEGINNING OF THE END = Day 34 =

Arrived in Belorechensk. A little more and I'll start thinking of this town as home. I caught myself feeling that my journey is beginning to come to an end, that the midpoint has long since passed. As if I'm gradually being shifted onto a different wavelength, and everything is becoming less adventurous and less thrilling than it was before...