Email 11-06-02

Dear Shao-lin,
We have arrived in Xian! To catch you up since we have been out of touch...

Our interview with the Head Abbot of the Shao-lin Temple went well, especially since it was our first! We did not know how well we could get set up and how the Head Abbot would feel with all of the cameras. The interview turned out to be extra special as this was one of the first times since the death of the previous Head Abbot that the meeting chamber was used! We learned a lot from the Abbot and from the filming/interview experience.

The next morning at 5am, a crew set out from an unfamiliar path to journey up Song Mountain in the dark to film the sunrise and the Ta Mo Cave. It was an adventure as there are many paths and in the dark we at times chose the wrong one. We woke up most of the village dogs as we passed by or climbed through their fields and briar bushes. It was a beautiful sunrise and a fun adventure in the dark. The monks who eventually came up to watch over the Ta Mo Cave were at first wary of us with all of our gear. They eventually warmed up to us and ended up presenting us with Jade Buddha Necklaces.

Our Chinese Shao-Lin Center Stone Tablet at the Shao-Lin Temple is showing the wear of years of exposure and tourists. We have made arrangements to have it repaired. It should be looking good for our next visit.

Hua Mountain was a blast but a lot of hard work. We all are carrying 40+ pounds of equipment in our backpacks plus our cameras. We think that this is fitting as this is Weight Vest Conditioning Month and we all are sharing in the fun even here! But, our class here in China is on a daily basis. We may have to consider making this a change in the class structure for all of you as well!

The interview with the Head Taoist here at Hua Shan was even better as we had more set up time and the lighting was better too. The Head Master was very friendly and gave us a book about their Taoist history. His assistant was quite friendly and knowledgeable too. The temple itself and Hua To's Grave look so beautiful as much renovation has taken place since our last visit.

We had several teams tackle Hua Mountain. One team began at the bottom and filmed the temples and caves along the way up. Another crew took the cable car to the top and began filming the sights on the 5 peaks. Part of both crews spent a very cold night on top of the mountains. This group was out by 5am to film the sunrise while the crew at the bottom headed to an huge 40 acre Taoist Temple for filming.

One spot not conquered on the last trip was to have Shao-Lin seated out on the cliff with the Chess Pavilion. This time fear and good judgment was put aside and the vertical abyss was conquered.

The trip is beginning to wear on our equipment. Even with an engineer and multiple safety devices we are now having equipment failure. The strange wiring in some areas has taken its toll. Redundant systems were in place and we are using some of them now. Wish us luck that we will not have too many of these problems.

I will close for now. We think of all of you often and hope to bring back a lot of information, photos and film footage. Senior Master David and I are already looking forward to the 2004 Chinese Shao-Lin Center China Trip. The information that we are gathering now will be of great help as we continue to plan the 2004 Trip.

Best regards from all of us on the Sacred Mountain Expedition.

Sincerely,
Senior Master Sharon