As our Wado-Kai clubs in Canada grow in harmony, the surrounded neighbourhood follows the path of the their own growth. Visiting your neighbour is not only an act of courtesy but also a way to display your good manners and a way appreciate and respect others. If we were only to hide in our shell and not communicating our experiences our way would not be the Shintani's way.

On Friday June 15th, 2001 I woke up early and by 6:15 a.m. I was on the highway on my way to meet with Ron Mattie sensei in Welland. Since my arrival was earlier than I expected, I stopped for a coffee at a Tim Horton's on the corner of highway 406 and Main Street in Welland. Wow!! What are the chances that at 8:00 a.m. I can meet with Denis Labbe sensei? Well…. I did and it certainly made my coffee break more enjoyable. By 8:30 a.m. I drove to Ron sensei's house and from there, we drove straight to the Buffalo Airport.

Our trip was originally scheduled to fly from Buffalo to New York and from New York to Boston but sometimes things get better than you plan them and so in this case we were told that the airlines were switching our flight directly to Boston. Well, that was certainly a good way to start our trip. After a short flight of 1 hour and 20 minutes, we arrived at the Boston's Airport at 11:40 a.m. were Geovanny Castro and Rickie Rivera were waiting for us. They drove us to Lawrence where Geovanny sensei has his main Club and at our arrival to Lawrence we all went for lunch to a Chinese Buffet.

After dropping our luggage at the Hotel we went to Geovanny's Club for a Clinic starting at 5:30 p.m. When Ron Mattie sensei and I walked in the Club, a full class of students with enthusiastic faces received us anxious to begin their Clinic with the new senseis from Canada. We found it to be an easy task to carry since the students were following instructions with full dedication and respect.

That evening we had Hispanic food for supper since the Hispanic Festivities were going on that week. The atmosphere was very friendly and Ron and I enjoyed Johanna Rivera and Geovanny Castro's company.

Next morning we woke up for an early workout and by 7:00 am we were having coffee at a Dunkin Donuts Coffee Shop. The workout Clinic was taking place at the YMCA where later on more students showed up for another Clinic. By noon we were ready for a break and again we went to another restaurant for another fantastic Hispanic feast. After our lunch break we returned to the YMCA where we continued the Clinic with the same students. Once the Clinic was over, we drove to Geovanny's Headquarters' Club where Ron Mattie spent sometime teaching Joanna Rivera a Shindo Kata.

Well! The evening went great and a great meal was waiting for us at another Hispanic restaurant with very friendly atmosphere. We talked, we laughed and Ron entertained us with his magic tricks that kept Johanna laughing all evening.

Next morning we stopped at the NKF Tournament Clinic to say goodbye and from there we went to the airport in Boston. Well! That was an event we (Ron and I) will never forget because due to thunderstorm we got stranded for 9 and a half hours at the airport. In all well and safe I got home by 1:00 a.m.

I will cherish forever this weekend that gave me the chance to know Ron Mattie sensei better and to enjoy the company of wonderful Martial Artists.