After a 12 hour train journey followed by a 12 hour air flight I finally landed in Los Angles airport, there I was met with a smiling friendly face of Mrs. Patty Dye and Gabe a "family member" of the Paul Dye Kenpo Garage Gang. We set off back to Covina and to the Dye family home that was to become the centre of Kenpo training for the next 5 days. There Mr. Jack Autry met us; I first met Mr. Autry last year in the AKKS Las Vegas camp. We then talked to keep us all up to date with what was going on in our lives and our Kenpo. I was then asked to sit a member of the grading panel for the test that was taking place that night at the "Garage." This was one of the greatest honours that I have been given in my time in Kenpo. The students who graded were of a very high standard; they were all a great reflection of the time that they have spent with their instructor. It was a pleasure to watch such athletes performing, the spirit, speed and control was outstanding. Well done to everyone. The tests are an open event with many members of the local neighbourhood attending to watch all ages were covered from a month old baby to a great grandmother, all came to cheer on the students and their quests. The test lasted around 3 hours after which we all went inside the house and continued to catch up with what was going on in our lives. The following morning Mr. Dye, Mrs. Dye and myself spend the morning working out in the Garage, it was very strange working outside because where I come from we don't every really get the weather to do it. We worked our basics some techniques and forms and looked at some of the concepts and principles that make up Ed Parker's Kenpo System. We then headed out to see some of the sights that LA has to offer we had lunch at a retro 50's diner out on a pier at one of the beaches. We then headed over to Pasadena to see Mr. Parker's old studio. We were greeted by the instructor who was very kind and helpful. He showed great respect to Mr. Dye by stopping the class and getting all the students to salute him. After I took a few photographs we headed down to Mr. Randy English's (one of Mr. Dye's 2nd Degree Black Belts) tattoo shop to say hello and to plan some further training sessions. We then headed back home for some food and headed out again to the airport to pick up Mr. Danny Charatin who was flying in form Chicago to work out with us. Danny is the current European self-defence champions in his division a very fine all round martial artist. We were up early the next morning to workout in the Garage, both Danny and myself were working out on each other under the watchful and helpful eye of Mr. Dye. We covered a great deal in the 5 hours that we worked out. Mr. Ron Adams (one of Mr. Dye's 1st Degree Black Belts) joined us to workout. We all had a good time working out on each other. After a rest we headed out as a group to a meal with Mr. Steve and Mrs. Jill Harshberger (both orange belt student's of Mr. Dye) and then we went to a unique laser show at the Griffith observatory at the Laserium. The group then went down to Pasadena to Mr. English's tattoo shop as Danny had promised to get himself a new tattoo, he chose a design of a Viking and after a couple of hours the master piece was done and it rocked. We then headed back to base as it was late and all went to bed. The following morning after a close inspection of the new piece of art on Danny's leg we headed out to see another one of Mr. Dye's passions, driving petrol remote control 4x4 cars. He showed off his control skills at great speed making the car spin, turn and jump over different terrain. We then went back to the Garage to work out more on our material; we worked out again for about 5 hours covering a great deal. After which Mr. Dye and Danny got out the guitars and treated me to a rendition of Smoke on the Water and other such classics. We were then treated to a great meal made by Mrs. Dye's mom, she had made a great spread and we all ate to our hearts content. It was then time for one of the highlights of the weekend Mr. Dye had invited some people to come out and work out in the Garage. The line up of instructors was impressive; Mr. Angelo Collado, Mr. Scott Montoya, Mr. Dave Thompson and of course Mr. Paul Dye. All four instructors covered a great amount of material ranging form contact manipulation, what ifs, spontaneity and the night climaxed at 10pm in us all running the line and pounding out on each other a truly spirited and joyous experience. Back in the house we all exchanged stories and ideas and then very later in the night or early next morning we all headed off to sleep. And then it was Monday, Mr and Mrs Dye had to head out work, so both Danny and myself talked and walked around the local neighbourhood and waited for Mr. Scott Montoya (Mr. Dye's 3rd Degree Black Belt) who is a very gifted Kenpoist and gave us his insights to Kenpo. Time passed quickly as did the whole weekend and it was time to head back to LA airport for the long flight home. Well now that I have time to reflect on the time I spent in LA, I can truly say it was the greatest Kenpo experience that I have had the kindness and friendliness of everyone was out standing as was the Kenpo. I was treated as one of the family and made many new friends. I would like to thank my new family Paul, Patty, Danny, Scott, Ron, Steve, Jill, Lisa (thanks for the Twinkie), Gabe, Angelo, Dave, Everett and everyone else. Martin Fell Kenpo Karate England |
Martin Fell's letter describing a recent visit to Mr. Dye's "Garage" by Martin Fell |
