Journey through Turkey

Dr. Tyler R. Tichelaar is an author, editor, book reviewer, and aspiring world traveler. He began his prolific writing career by publishing a series of novels set in his hometown of Marquette, Michigan that depict the history of the area and its significant role in American history, resulting in it becoming known as “The Queen City of the North.” The series consists of The Marquette Trilogy: Iron Pioneers, The Queen City, and Superior Heritage; Narrow Lives (winner of the 2009 Best Historical Fiction Reader Views Literary Award), The Only Thing That Lasts, and his newly published novel Spirit of the North: a paranormal romance. His interests have also led him to writing two non-fiction books King Arthur’s Children: A Study in Fiction and Tradition and The Gothic Wanderer: From Transgression to Redemption. Tyler is currently working on a historical fantasy series about King Arthur, the Fairy Melusine, and other medieval legends. He has visited many places in England and France that will be featured in his novels. Most recently, he journeyed to Turkey and was kind enough to answer some questions for us about his Turkish adventures.

Author Dr. Tyler Tichelaar at Ephesus

Out of all the places in the world where you could have traveled, what made you choose Turkey?

I’ve always been fascinated by the Byzantine Empire, and I can claim descent from some of the emperors including Basil I and Alexios III. Also, Turkey is the second Holy Land. The Virgin Mary lived there in Ephesus as did St. John, and the Seven Churches of the Revelation are there, St. Paul journeyed through Turkey, as did Saints Basil and George, and many other early Christians have connections or origins there.

You joined a tour with Insight Vacations in Istanbul to venture around Turkey. What were the benefits of touring with a group like that rather than on your own?

I prefer to go on a tour the first time I visit a country, especially if I don’t speak the language there. Our tour guide was amazing and showed us all the highlights. Someday, I may go back to Istanbul to explore it on my own, now that I know the lay of the land better. Many people in Turkey speak English so it would not be difficult. But taking a tour is an excellent way to be introduced to a country without the frustrations of trying to figure out how to get to places on your own.

Were there people on the tour from other parts of the world or were they all American?

We were quite an international group actually. Of the 28 of us, there were two men from South Africa, two women from Sri Lanka, a couple from England, a couple from Canada, and then while the rest of us resided in the United States, one couple was originally from Germany, another were Indian, and another were from Taiwan.

Traveling with people from other cultures really makes for a more interesting journey. I imagine you visited at least one palace in Istanbul.

Yes, I visited the Topkapi Palace. It was quite different from what expected a palace to be. I’ve been to palaces like Versailles and Buckingham, but this palace was much less ornate and considerably smaller. It was built by the Ottoman Sultans, soon after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, and it’s very open air, like a bunch of buildings built around a courtyard. Most of the buildings are only one, or at most two floors. A lot of it consisted of buildings or rooms joined by covered porches—the porches were ornately decorated and quite beautiful, but otherwise it didn’t strike me as looking like a palace. It did have a harem and also a large display of jewels, the Topkapi dagger and other items. I didn’t get to tour the Dolmabahce Palace, which was built much later and modeled after Versailles, although I drove by it and saw it when we went on a boat tour on the Bosphorus.

One of the many porches of Topkapi Palace

With all the mosques in Turkey, it must have been difficult to decide which ones you wanted to visit.

You’ve got that right! Everywhere you go in Turkey, there are mosques. The palaces could not compare, in my opinion, to the mosques. There are more in Turkey than all the other Muslim countries combined. It seemed like you can always see about a half dozen minarets rising up into the skyline, and they are all decorated in a variety of colors—blue, green, pink, gold, silver. The major mosque I visited was the 17^th century Blue Mosque , which is the place that most took my breath away when I walked into it. And of course I visited the Hagia Sophia, which was originally a Christian church in the year 532, then converted into a mosque. Then after Turkey became a republic in the 1920s, it became a museum.

Interior domes of the Blue Mosque

The dome in the Blue Mosque is actually prettier—more ornately decorated than the Hagia Sophia, but it is not as big. Hagia Sophia is impressive as well and has second-floor balconies that allow you to get closer to the dome, although it’s still way up there. The church is dark inside but still glorious. When the Emperor Justinian built it, he said he had surpassed the beauty of Solomon’s Temple, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he had.

For me, Hagia Sophia was the most exciting place to visit because of its rich history and the fact that I discovered that some of my ancestors actually worshipped there. There are beautiful mosaics and the balconies upstairs are more like gigantic galleries. During Holy Week, the services would go on for days and the royal family would basically camp out up there.

Grand exterior of the Hagia Sophia

I also love the legend about how the people hid in Hagia Sophia during the taking of the city in 1453 and how the Turks broke into the church and the priests disappeared into the wall with the holy relics. The legend says they will return when the city is again Christian. Similarly, the last emperor, Constantine XI, is said not to have died but been saved so he can someday return. I wrote a blog about Constantine XI that you can read about here. If you’re interested in King Arthur, you might also be interested in my guest blog post about the Turkey-King Arthur connection.

Interior of the domes at Hagia Sophia

Surely you explored some ancient ruins while in Turkey. What was that like?

Yes, I visited Pergamon, dating back to 281 BC, Troy, and Ephesus both dating back to 3000 BC. I did not know about Pergamon before, but it was quite interesting—basically a sanitarium where people went to be cured. Troy was a bit disappointing because the ruins are fairly insubstantial, mostly small walls and rocks. It was difficult to imagine the place as home to Homer’s Troy, although I was surprised by how green the landscape was—not at all the desert look in the Brad Pitt film, which I love, but was filmed in Spain actually.

Ephesus was the most amazing ruin I could imagine. The entire main downtown section has been excavated, and it must go on for well over a mile. You can really envision what this marvelous city must have looked like at the time of St. Paul and Anthony and Cleopatra, all of whom visited there. The library’s ruins are still beautiful and the coliseum there held thousands of people. It’s amazing to think these people had running water—fountains, public restrooms. Until the time machine is invented, I think a visit there is the closest we will ever come to envisioning what it was like to live in an ancient city. At one time the Temple of Artemis stood here – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Ruins of Ephesus

I must commend our tour guide, Rashid Ergener, who was absolutely amazing—a true expert on Turkey in every sense of the word; there wasn’t a question you could ask him that he could not answer. He told us that Turkey has more Greek ruins than Greece and more Roman ruins than Italy. I am amazed more people don’t go to Ephesus, simply because it is so fascinating.

What kind of food did you eat there, and what was your favorite dish?

We ate lots of olives—even for breakfast—and kabobs. I really didn’t know what most of the food was called, but it was all very good. Probably my favorite dish were the figs drenched in honey. We also had some cheese pancakes that were good. I wasn’t crazy about the Turkish pizza—it was pretty bland compared to our pizza here. Of course, I ate a lot of traditional candy known as Turkish delight. I just had to try Burger King there to see what it was like, and the food was exactly the same as here! The Coke, however, was less sweet and less fizzy. The tour company had us stay at marvelous five-star hotels, but I suspect the food there was perhaps geared toward tourists, so not as authentic. That said, it was all delicious, and I can’t recall anything I had that I didn’t finish. I never felt squeamish about eating anything there, and yes, we ate buffets, so I’d frequently have three plates full, plus dessert.

Delicious cheese pancakes

Yum! What was the most interesting or surprising fact you learned about Turkey while you were there?

The history of the founding of the Turkish republic and the character of the republic’s first leader and President, Ataturk (in office from 1923-1938) is really fascinating. I had heard his name but knew nothing about him. He was an amazing man who believed in democracy for his people. Once when interviewed by an American reporter, he was asked whether or not he was a dictator and he replied, “Yes, I dictate democracy.” You might say he forced democracy upon his people for their own good, and the Turkish people revere him for it to this day. His mausoleum in the capital of Ankara and the museum there to the founding of the republic, could rival our monuments in Washington D.C. When you drive through Ankara, there are giant banners of him, several stories high that hang off many of the buildings, and all featuring different pictures of him. I would like to read a full-length biography of his life. We could use a few good, strong men like Ataturk today. He ranks up there with Winston Churchill and George Washington in my book, as an example of a man who did what was best for his country when the times called for it.

The Turkish people are very proud to be living in a democracy, proud to be a secular country freed from the problems that exist in the more religious Muslim countries, and the entire country is very Westernized – while at the same time retaining its Turkish identity that makes it so charming and fascinating to visit. Before I went I found things on line that said there was no toilet paper in many places and other misconceptions. I found none of that to be true. It is a very modern country and any Westerner would feel comfortable there. I was thoroughly impressed with the country and the people.

Many buildings in Ankara display images of revered former President Ataturk

Can you tell us more about the people of Turkey?

The people were wonderful. At the hotels the waiters and all the staff were super polite. They treated us like royalty. One of my traveling companions liked to try out speaking Turkish so he kept stopping people on the street to talk to them, and on those occasions, we found the people always to be friendly. Locals continually asked us where we were from and when we said we were American, they would say, “Oh, I went to school at the University of Michigan,” or “I have a sister who lives in Florida,” or my favorite, “My wife is from Seattle. She came to Turkey as a flamenco dancer, and we got married.” I felt nothing but good will from the people of Turkey and that it really is a small world.

If people get nothing else out of reading this interview, I want it to be clear that the Turkish people are a lot like us. They might be Muslim and speak a different language, but they are wonderful people and have far more in common with most Americans than they do differences. I always felt safe. I encourage everyone to travel because it breaks down barriers. If anything, I was a bit embarrassed because people felt alarmed by our current Republican candidates who want war with Iran. They said to me things like, “Have those people ever traveled outside the country? Are they crazy?” I had to apologize and tell them that most Americans didn’t want war. I was also impressed that there is no homeless population in Turkey. They take care of their people. We could learn a lot from this much younger democracy.

That really is great information for all us. Are you planning to use Turkey as a setting in a future novel?

Yes, as I mentioned, I’m fascinated with Byzantine history, so I wanted to see what remains of Byzantine architecture and the Byzantine city of Constantinople. I hope to set part of my historical fantasy Arthurian series around the Fall of Constantinople in 1453. I didn’t do significant research yet, but brought home many books to help my research, and most importantly, I wanted to be there, to see what the city looked like, to understand the lay of the land you can’t get just from reading books and looking at maps. I tried to block out the modern buildings and see what it would have felt like to live in Constantinople in the 15th century. We’ll see after I write those scenes in the novels, whether or not I succeeded! It’ll probably be a few years before I finish writing those books.

Where in the world would you like to go next?

I would love to go to Spain to see the fabulous monastery at Montserrat—rumored to have housed the Holy Grail, and consequently another location in a future novel—as well as other great places in Spain like the Alcazar and Alhambra. And I would also like to go back to France because I never got to Brittany, where I would like to see the Arthurian locations. These include the Forest of Broceliande where Merlin was supposedly hidden away in a cave, and I also would like to visit Lusignan where the fairy Melusine once lived. If I had the time and money, I’d also add in trips to the Netherlands, Germany, Egypt, Israel, India—and that’s my short list.

 

Tyler, thank you so much for sharing your experience and giving us insight into all things Turkish. I look so forward to reading your next novel and all that come after that! Readers, for more information about Dr. Tyler Tichelaar, check out  www.MarquetteFiction.com and www.ChildrenofArthur.com.

An interview I did with Geographer Dr. Joseph Kerski 3 years ago was picked up by Science Buddies. Look for the link under the “Interviews” section.

I reviewed two cute books by Dawn Publications today on Good Reads with Ronna.

I took these photos in Tree Tops Park yesterday.

Please read my interview with incredibly talented children’s book illustrator Eric Velasquez.

If you love baseball, you’ll love this book about Hall of Famer, Larry Doby!

Please take a few minutes to read my interview on Good Reads with Ronna. Sophie Webb is a biologist and orinthologist who travels the world via ship to do research and brings along her camera and her watercolors to capture the wildlife. She turned her life’s work and passion into several high quality children’s books that I highly recommend. Both you and your children will be interested in what she had to say about life at sea.

Here at Smart Poodle Publishing, we most enjoy interviewing interesting people of all sorts. Today we are talking to Gemma Sokol, a 17-year-old high school senior from Los Angeles, who shares with us her unique experiences of living abroad as a young child.

Gemma Sokol

Were you born in the US?

Yes, I was born in Los Angeles, but moved to Frankfurt, Germany at the age of 2.

Why did your family move abroad?

My Dad got a job in Frankfurt while working for CitiGroup, and the opportunity was too good to pass up.

Did you attend English-speaking schools in Germany?

I was little, so I went to a bi-lingual Montessori school, where I became fluent in German. My parents took German classes too, so we could all learn together and speak it at home.

You were very young when you lived there, but do you have any special memories of Frankfurt?

Yes. There is a big shopping mall called NordWestZentrum with a spectacular glass ceiling, and in that mall was a cool post office. As a little girl, it was a really special treat to go shopping and then mail packages back to the states at that post office. The indoor swimming pools in Frankfurt are some of the best I’ve ever visited!

How old were you when you left Germany?

We moved to London when I was five and a half and stayed there for six and a half years.

What were the British schools like?

My parents had me switch schools a few times to find the best one for me. One private school I went to had required church services, and we sang hymns. It was a good learning experience, because my family is Jewish, and I had never been exposed to church before. In order to go to secondary school, there is a very long application process. You have to sit for exams, write essays and fill out long and involved applications. It is very competitive and somewhat stressful. But I made it through the process, and it was all worth it!

Gemma and her brother, Coleman, in London

Are the academics different in Britain than they are in the US?

In British schools, students learn foreign languages early. I took French from third through sixth grade. Then in sixth grade, I took German and Latin. Throughout my British education, religious studies were part of the curriculum giving me the opportunity to learn about a lot of religions different from my own. The schools took us on field trips to a wide variety of houses of of worship almost every 2 weeks for educational purposes. It was fascinating to learn about so many fascinating religions this way. I wish American schools did this as well.

So would you say the academics are better in Britain or just different?

Both. For example, in fifth grade, we took a trip to the Isle of White, and in sixth grade we went via ferry and bus to France, where we stayed and explored for 8 days. It was an amazing trip! I’d have to say the academic opportunities are better there. The education is very career driven. You must know what you want to study before you graduate from secondary school; college placement is geared toward specific career paths from day one. Students take exit exams in so many subjects and have to pass all of them in order to graduate and go to college.

Are there any other differences?

The overall environment is different in British schools. They do not have school spirit like we do in the US. I’d describe it by saying it is not as interactive as American schools.

Was it hard to make friends in your schools?

Luckily I’m outgoing and make friends fairly easily, no matter where I am. But every school I’ve been to has one thing in common; there are plenty of cliques. Kids everywhere just want to fit in.

How did you like British cuisine?

Because England has a large Indian population, there are countless Indian restaurants in, and around, London. Our favorite restaurant was family owned, serving Indian cuisine, located just around the corner from our house. There really wasn’t any food I did not like in London.

There are over 200 museums in London. Did you have a favorite?

My favorite is the British Museum. The Ancient Egypt exhibit is the best!

How did you feel about coming back to USA?

I was excited to go back to L.A,, with the thrill of Hollywood and the movie stars. I was only 12-years-old when I came back to this country so I had quite a strong a British accent. But it drew so much attention, and I constantly got so many comments that I made an effort to change it. It took me under a year to lose that accent, though it’s still here inside me. We had to rent an apartment for a while when we came back to the U.S., and I missed the spacious, multi-level house we had in England. But more than anything, I really missed the small town feeling of Europe, with local shops and cafes right around the corner and great public transportation.

Where have you traveled other than Germany, Britain and France?

I’ve been to over 31 countries. I have to say my favorite city in the world is Venice. Even though there are so many tourists there, it is a magical place. I love that there are no cars, there’s so much art, the architecture is phenomenal, and the food is incredible. I also love watching how Venetian glass is made. When I see films shot in Venice I think, “I’ve stood right there!”

What is the most exotic place you’ve been?

Cyprus is a most unusual place. It is extremely dry and also rather barren in parts, but there are many resorts, ancient ruins and groves of olives trees. It’s also not easy to cross the border into Turkey, and we were advised against it because we were staying on the Greek side and the two countries are in territorial conflict.

Gemma on a recent trip to Paris

How did living abroad change your life?

I have had so much exposure to so many different cultures. I couldn’t possibly have that experience if I had not lived overseas. I have great respect for different ways of life, cultural traditions, religions, laws and history.

You are getting ready to graduate from high school and go to college. Do you know what you would like to study there?

I’m looking into studying communications, art or cultural studies.

So do you feel that your multi cultural education gives you an advantage over other students who have not had opportunities to travel?

Yes. I believe the best way to learn is to experience things firsthand. I have learned to appreciate different ways of life, and being open to those ways – though very different from ours – makes life much richer and education much broader. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to experience so many diverse places in the world and meet people from so many unique cultures. That experience really shaped me into who I am today.

What advice would you give to another student who may be getting ready to live abroad?

No matter how different the culture may be in a foreign country, there are people you will meet who have something common with you. You will quickly acclimate to the different environment and learn the cultural traditions there. The people will be just as interested in getting to know you as you are in getting to know them. Visit all the top attractions, try the local food and learn the language, because this is likely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Take advantage of all your experience has to offer, and you won’t have any regrets.

Gemma, thank you for sharing your experiences abroad with our readers. It isn’t often that one learns of life as an Expat from a young person’s perspective. Best of luck to you in college. I’m confident your unique cultural experiences will open many doors for you, and your future will be filled with more travel and adventure. Please keep in touch!

Please read my interview with award-winning, non-fiction children’s book author, Kerrie Logan Hollihan on Good Reads with Ronna. If you ever thought about writing non-fiction for kids – or adults – you can learn all about the lengthy process here! Kerrie’s books for middle school readers are so impressive, and parents love them too.

University of Pennsylvania undergrad, Rachel Glade (class of 2014), recently returned from Mongolia where she participated in a 6-week summer research project with the Penn Biology Department, the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia and the National University of Mongolia. This was the fourth out of five years the group studied the “ecological and evolutionary consequences of global climate change and grazing pressures by nomadic pastoralism in northern Mongolia.” The project is funded by the Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE). To read more details about this research, click here.

Mongolia

• Government: Parliamentary Republic
• Currency: Togrog/Tugrik
• Official Language: Mongolian
• Size: Approximately 604,000 square miles
• Population: Approximately 2.75 million
• Predominant Religion: Buddhism

Rachel Glade

When you first found out about the opportunity to participate in the PIRE Mongolia Research project as a college freshman at Penn, what made you want to be a part of the experience?

The thought of having a rare adventure to such a remote location as Mongolia, and doing biological research there, really appealed to me. When am I ever just going to pop over to Mongolia on my own and study the environment? I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Had you ever been abroad before?

No. And since I didn’t know what to expect in such a far away place and had so many flight connections, I was a bit anxious before leaving. But that’s all part of the adventure, and it makes it even more exciting.

Did travel to Mongolia require vaccinations?

Yes, Typhoid Fever, Hepatitis A and B and Tetanus were required. Since we were in a remote location, Rabies shots were optional, but I did not get them.

Which items were required for you to pack for this long trip?

Because the plane from Ulaanbaatar to Moron is so small, there is a 44-lb total baggage weight limit. I had to pack very carefully and sparsely. Lightweight clothing was important, because it weighs very little and can be washed and dried easily, and thin layers are best to keep warm and dry. Most of the time I wore my favorite shoes, Vibram Five Fingers, which dry very quickly. A few essentials I brought included a flashlight, sleeping bag, small pillow, pocketknife, which I used for just about everything – as a pair of scissors I used daily and to cut plants in the field. I brought along insect repellent (massive mosquitoes and horse flies in the fields!!), prescription antibiotics and over-the-counter meds, because there is no doctor, hospital or store within many driving hours from the field site. If a researcher were to get seriously ill – and luckily no one did on this trip – he or she would have to be rescued by helicopter and flown to the hospital in Ulaanbaatar. We all had special insurance in case of an emergency.

Sükhbaatar Square, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Genghis Khan, Emperor of the Mongols, etched into the mountain in Ulaanbaatar

Gilded statue of Buddha inside Gandan Buddhist Monastery, Ulaanbaatar

Now about your journey, how did you get to your remote field site from the USA and how long did it take?

I flew from my home in Miami to Philadelphia, from Philadelphia to Seattle, from Seattle to Seoul, Korea and from Seoul to the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar. Then we stayed in Ulaanbaatar for one full day (2 nights) before taking a tiny plane to the Mongolian city of Moron. From there we drove 3 and a half hours to Hatgal. There we stayed in a ger (Mongolian tent) for one night before driving for 8 hours on a rough trail to our field site in the Dalbay Valley on Lake Hövsgöl. It’s basically in the middle of nowhere. The flight on the way out with connections was around 28 hours from Miami to Ulaanbaatar. Then the flight from there to Moron was about 2 hours, plus the 8 hours of driving. So from the time I left my house in Miami until the time I arrived at the field site was around 3 full days.

That sounds like an exhausting trip! What was that long car trip like to the research site?

Bumpy! There are really no roads, just paths made by other vehicles. 13 people and their luggage were squished into an old, rickety, Russian van with no seat belts; it was so crowded that some of us had to sit on the floor. The roads, if you can call them that, are very muddy. When we got stuck in the mud we all got out of the car and had to use rocks behind the wheels for traction to get us out. Sometimes the engine overheated, so there was nothing to do but wait for the van to cool off. Despite these less than perfect conditions, we made the best of it and had a lot of fun.

A muddy situation on the way to Dalbay Valley

Where exactly is the Dalbay Valley?

It’s in northern central Mongolia, just south of Russia, around Lake Hövsgöl National Park in a very remote location. Click here for a map. The few people who live in this remote part of the country are herders. There are no towns or shops of any kind for many, many miles; it is a very secluded lifestyle.

Can you describe what the Dalbay Valley looks like?

There are beautiful rolling slopes covered with the greenest grass and a wide variety of plants and wildflowers. At the tops of the hills are forests. The riparian zones are the strips of land that rest along the banks of the river. Lake Hövsgöl is quite large and very pristine. This valley is one of the most unspoiled places left on the planet.

Picture perfect: The Dalbay Valley and Lake Hövsgöl

Why was Mongolia chosen for the research project?

Mongolia shows some of the greatest effects of climate change and land use effects such as grazing and farming on the planet.

What were your accommodations like at the field site?

We lived in traditional gers (rhymes with bears), which are round tents, and we slept in sleeping bags on plywood cots with just a blanket on them – no mattresses. At first I had trouble sleeping on the hard surface, but I quickly got used to the beds and slept really well. Doing research requires a lot of physical work, and you are more than ready for sleep at night. The bottom sides of the gers are somewhat open, so it gets awfully cold in there at night and in the early morning hours. There is a fire in a stove in the center of the ger to help keep us warm.

What does a ger look like?

There is a circular frame made from wood with a domed roof covered with yak wool. The entire structure is protected with a canvas cover. The inside is colorfully painted and contains a metal stove/fire pit in the middle for warmth.

The sun setting on the gers (to the left are flags marking a research site)

The interior of the roof of a ger

The stove inside a ger and wooden cots in the background

What about bathrooms?

There was a shed with a toilet, but you have to fill buckets with water to flush it each time. It’s not the best situation, but it was still better than I had expected it to be.

Were there any modern conveniences at the field site?

There was no running water, electricity or cell phone service. I did not even bring my laptop on this trip. We had one generator that was used for refrigerating food and for our satellite system, which allowed us to use a phone in emergencies or to send and receive short emails and to blog every few days.

How did you feel about not using a computer, texting or talking on a cell phone for so long?

I loved it. It was nice to be disconnected from the world for a while and concentrate on my surroundings.

A pensive moment without any distractions from the modern world

How did you take a shower?

We bathed in the ice-cold river using mild, biodegradable soap so as to not pollute the water. The same soap was also used to wash hair and clothing in the river. In an environment such as this, you simply can’t bathe every day, but everyone else is in the same situation, so you just get adjusted to it.

The water in the river is crystal clear and icy cold

What type of food did you eat?

We had a great Mongolian cook at the field site who made fresh yak meat from the valley, goat, soup with meat and lots of vegetables. Goat meat is common as well. It is tasty, but rather tough. There was a cellar where veggies were stored. Our cook made delicious bread on the stove for us, but this is not typical of Mongolian cuisine. My favorite dish was Huushuur, which was fried dough filled with various kinds of meat or organs.

Roasting a goat

How would you describe the taste of eating yak?

A yak is a bovine, like a cow, so it’s a lot like steak – but leaner. It actually tastes pretty good, but they use every part of the animal, whether it is yak, mutton or goat – and do not trim the fat. It is cooked in pieces in a big pot over an open fire.

Yaks are bovines, related to cattle

Where did you get your water to drink?

We used water from the lake and filtered it. It is some of the purest, coldest water in the world and is crystal clear and delicious.

It sounds like this experience would not be ideal for a student who is not willing to give up his or her creature comforts.

Definitely not. The site was really quite comfortable, but a high-maintenance person would probably have a hard time. I’d imagine not showering every day, spending the majority of your time outside, eating food you are not used to, fighting off mosquitoes and dealing with difficult travel to and from the site would be really challenging for some people. Thankfully all the people I travelled with were very easy-going.

Northern Mongolia remains one of the earth’s most unspoiled destinations

What was the weather like while you were there?

Most of the time, it was sunny and beautiful. There were some cloudy days and a few storms. One night we had such a severe thunderstorm that one of the gers almost blew away. Generally it is warm and arid during the day, with the hottest temperatures being in the 80s, and it rather cold at night with temperatures occasionally dipping down into the 30s. One night in July, there was even a frost.

How many others were there with you?

I was one of 6 undergrads, and there were a total of about 20 people on the team including grad students, post-doctorates, professors and other workers. You really get to know people when you live with them in tents in the middle of nowhere and share this most unusual experience. You have a bond after an adventure like this, because no matter how well you describe your experience to others who were not there, they can’t imagine what it was really like.

An expansive herd of sheep and goats graze on a slope

What was it like communicating with the students from the University of Mongolia?

We interacted with the Mongolian researchers daily. Two of the girls in my ger were from the University of Mongolia; they were really nice. Their English was much better than my Mongolian! Verbal communication can be challenging, and we spent a lot of nights teaching each other words in our native languages. We would point at items and just said the word and the others would repeat them. It was highly entertaining. I learned a few Mongolian words, such as ones for volleyball, the number 1-10, thank you, good-bye, what happened? and a few others. The alphabet is Cyrillic, but they do have some adaptations of words in the English alphabet.

What did you have to do to prepare for your fieldwork?

We had to quickly learn the scientific names of 50 different species of plants in 2 days and learn to identify them in the field. We did surprisingly well with a crash course and even got better as time went on. As soon as I got home I found myself trying to identify the plants and grasses in South Florida.

Rachel lurking in the Mongolian forest

Wildflowers abound in the Dalbay Valley

So how did you spend your days while at work?

There were a lot of different projects going on, so everyone spent their time doing different things. We’d generally wake up around 8:30, eat breakfast, work until lunch, and then work again before dinner. Some people rode horses to other parts of the valley to conduct research, but most of us stayed on the slope and surrounding forests right near camp. It takes a lot of sometimes-tedious work to collect data for research purposes. We spent a lot of time collecting plant samples, monitoring and recording data on the various experiments, and maintaining the experiments (i.e. watering, weeding, etc.).

What did you do for entertainment when not working?

We played a lot of volleyball, which is a huge sport in Mongolia. We also played a lot of cards, sang and played guitar, and rode horses. The 4th of July was really special. We roasted a goat and had a big feast along with activities and races. We took a couple of days to attend the Midsummer Festival called Naadam.

Can you tell us about that?

In the beginning of July we drove to Hatgal, a town about 7 hours away from the field site, for Naadam. We saw a horse race, in which 5-6 year old children race for 20km. It’s really amazing to see; some of the kids learn how to ride before they even know how to walk! We also saw Mongolian wrestling, which is very traditional and interesting to watch. There was also an archery competition, and a volleyball competition that we participated in. It was a great event.

The locals wear traditional costumes for the Naadam Festival

Wrestling is a big part of the Naadam celebration

What was it like to ride Mongolian horses?

It was quite an experience. The horses are not quite as domesticated as they are in the states. Mongolians often catch wild horses, throw a saddle on them, and just ride them. It’s really exhilarating galloping through the valley; it was scary at times, though, when it was clear that the horse had more control than you did! The traditional Mongolian saddles are made of wood and can be a little uncomfortable. I had a bit of a problem with the stirrups, which are metal; they hit me right on my shin and caused some ugly bruising!

Other than horses, yaks, goats and sheep, did you see any other animals?

A wild dog came to our camp one day. We named her “Petite Chien.” She looked very mangy and somewhat like a wolf, but she was extremely friendly and submissive. She was very good at rodent control, as she had a knack for hunting ground squirrels! She stayed for a few days, and then disappeared as quick as she had come.

Wild horses are common in the valley

What did you miss most about home?

Though the food was generally very good, I missed American food. Pizza, salad, chicken, pie; these were the things I craved the most. We talked about food a lot, and for some reason, fried chicken was probably the most talked about.

Now that you have been home for a few days, how do you feel?

Happy and exhausted. I missed my connecting flight in San Francisco and got stuck in the airport for 11 hours. Then when I arrived home, I discovered my luggage did not make it on the plane. Eventually the airline delivered it to my house. I’ve been sleeping a lot and eating really healthy, light food. It feels great.

What will you miss most about Mongolia?

I’ll miss a lot of things, but mostly the beautiful landscape. The lake and the mountains were a nice thing to see first thing every morning, and the sunsets were spectacular. I’ll also miss the feeling of being disconnected from the rest of the world; it was nice not having to worry about the internet or cell phones or any of that nonsense.

If you had to describe your Mongolia experience in 4 words, what would they be?

Adventure, yak meat, wildflowers.

What advice would you give to other college students out there who are considering participating in a university research project somewhere in a remote location?

Go for it. There’s no better time to explore and do something crazy and adventurous than in college. Doing research in a remote place is a life changing experience. It will change the way you think and open your mind to different ways of living. It’s also a great way to see hands-on what the wonderfully challenging life of a research scientist is like.

 

Thank you for sharing your summer adventures with us, Rachel. What an extraordinary experience you had.

Click here to read a post about Rachel’s week in Seoul.

You’ve heard me talk about The Village School in Naples; I had an author visit there in 2008 and returned last December to give awards to several 4^th grade students who won prizes in our “I Love Costa Rica’s Rain Forest Contest.”  The school is awesome!  There is so much positive energy and a love of learning from the administration, staff, and the students.

One of the reasons for the school’s great success is 4^th grade teacher, Steven Noyes.  Mr. Noyes was recently honored by the Christian Chamber of Southwest Florida as the Golden Halo 2009 Winner.  This award recognizes one outstanding teacher at a private Christian/Catholic school from a pool of five counties in Southwest Florida.  After 50 nominations and 10 finalists were named, Mr. Noyes was selected as the sole winner.  He is a passionate and ultra positive teacher who connects with his students in a most exceptional way. We sat down with Mr. Noyes to ask him questions about his award as well as his teaching philosophy.

Steven Noyes after winning the Golden Halo Award

Congratulations! You must have felt so honored when you found out you were the Golden Halo winner.  What was your initial reaction?

All ten finalists were at a beautiful banquet that evening, and when I was announced as a top three finalist, I started thinking I had a real chance.  Honestly, I was very surprised, but deeply honored.

What did you win and how did you celebrate?

I received a beautiful Golden Halo lapel pin studded with diamonds from the Diamond District, a wonderful certificate of recognition, and a two-day hotel getaway.  I celebrated with my students the next week with a big party!  They loved it!

How long have you been a teacher?

This is my 21^st year as a teacher.  It has been a rewarding and enjoyable journey.

I’ve been to your incredible school and your classroom.  I’ve seen the way you are with your students.  You really have a unique influence on your students.  I see it in your energy and gentle encouragement.  What motivates you to teach?

First and foremost, I love working with children.  I enjoy doing anything and going the extra mile for my students.  They motivate me to be the best I can be, and I never get tired of it.

How does being a teacher at a Christian school affect your teaching methods?

It allows me to be able to speak freely about God and to pray with my students anytime we feel the need.  I think it just takes education to the next level because we share and we care, we play and we pray, and we earn and we learn.

I really like your philosophy… What qualities do you think a good teacher possesses?

I think any good teacher has to love working with children.  They need to have patience, energy, and love for their students.  They also are lifelong learners always striving to be better at what they do.

Your students are so passionate about writing.  How do you motivate them, and what do you do to help them improve their writing skills?

Right from the beginning of the year, I try to show students that writing can be fun.  I show them that it isn’t just sitting down with a sheet of paper, using a graphic organizer, or going through the writing process.  Even though these are great (and needed) tools, we start small and build up to writing stories with various activities and tools.  We focus on “showing not telling”, using vivid language, keeping voice consistent, and using effective transitioning.  It’s a lot of fun to write!

I wish more teachers were able to get their students excited about writing… Describe for us one of the best days you’ve ever had as a teacher?

Honestly, every day is special in it’s own way, but when some of the members of the Christian Chamber entered my room one afternoon surprising me and my class announcing that I was a finalist for the Golden Halo, it was memorable.  Seeing the four students that had nominated me standing there with smiles, and receiving hugs from all of my students brought tears to my eyes.

What are your biggest challenges?

My biggest challenges include trying to meet the needs of each student while also trying to instill class unity in everything we do.  Also, trying to keep students challenged that need it and deserve it, and finding enough hours in a day to do what needs to be done.

I’m sure there are many other teachers out there who share your challenges! You wrote and published your own book of poetry called Journeys:  A Collection of School Poems.  What inspired you to write the book?

I love to write poetry and over recent years, I started writing a few poems about the experiences of students and teachers at school.  I would bring them in and share them with my students.  A couple of years ago, my students said I should have them published, so I self-published a collection of them and made them available for anyone in our school.

That’s another great way you inspire your students to write – by showing them you put out the effort too… When you are not teaching, what do you like to do on your time off?

I love spending time with my family, including my four precious nieces.  I love spending time with friends doing just about anything, and I love coaching. For the past 20 years I have coached 60 different teams from various sports.  I currently coach two basketball teams at our school.

You are indeed dedicated, Steven! I’ve always said that teachers are under-appreciated and underpaid.  Yet, they have one of the most important jobs on the planet.  What do you think we can do to change this?

I think sometimes teachers get a bad rap due to some people having negative experiences during their school years.  I can tell you that the teachers I work with are phenomenal human beings who go the extra mile for our students.  I think most teachers do just that.  As far as money goes, I feel rich in many other ways other than monetary.  I believe that is part of the reward of being a teacher.

Steven accepts his coveted award

What advice do you have for a young teacher who is just starting out?

I think the biggest thing is to be yourself.  It is important that, despite who you might be replacing, or where you come from, that you don’t try to be someone you are not.  Set the tone from day one about your expectations, and stay consistent with them throughout.  Always remember, the students are your number one priority.  They are who you are there for.  If you aren’t there for that reason, the students will know right away.  Being a teacher can be one of the most rewarding occupations.  I know that my students have made a difference in my life in so many positive ways.  I wouldn’t want to do anything else.

Steven, thank you so much for answering our questions. Being a children’s book author, I have met so many dedicated, wonderful teachers and librarians. After observing you interacting with your students the way you do and feeling your students’ admiration for you and enthusiasm for learning, I knew you were an extra special teacher. It’s people like you who will inspire the rest of the world to give teaching the utmost respect it deserves.

Readers, if you live in Southwest Florida and are looking for a beautiful, nurturing, innovative Christian school for your child, be sure to visit The Village School in Naples. This school is home to the happiest students and most passionate teachers I’ve ever met!

6000 Goodlette Rd N
Naples, FL 34109-7206
(239) 449-4968

Laura Turner is a dedicated breeder of standard poodles. Her company, Bijou Poodles is located near Toronto, Canada. She breeds rare red and brown standards as well as black standards. In January, we purchased our adorable chocolate brown standard boy, Darwin from Bijou Poodles. He was shipped via cargo on Air Canada and made it all the way to Fort Lauderdale International Airport in perfect condition! So many people are curious about our puppy, poodles and breeding in general, so I asked Laura if she’d answer some of our questions. She said yes!

Bijou Poodles Breeder Laura Turner with some of her browns

How long have you been breeding standard poodles?

Around 17 years

How did you get started in this business?

I was searching for a non-shedding, larger dog that was calm and loving that would be a structurally sound working dog. I then took dog obedience lessons and the instructor was a dog breeder. She encouraged me to attend a fun match. I was so happy doing an activity with my poodle and winning at it. I was hooked. The more I learned the more I wanted to do. The rest is history.

Way too cute reds!

For those who do not know much about standard poodles, can you explain why a person would want one as a pet?

The fact that poodles are non-shedding dogs is probably the biggest draw. Size and ability to protect is an asset. There is no long tail to knock over drinks and small children. But to me the best quality is their total loving empathetic nature. They just know and absorb pain and offer such comfort, and they have a HUGE desire to please. They are very affectionate and have sweet natures. And of course, they are beautiful dogs! They do require a lot of grooming though.

I agree with you. Laura! I’d also add that they are so intelligent and just seem to know what will please you. Darwin is our 2^nd standard poodle pet, and the large size (mostly the height) of our first poodle, Gigi, (50 lbs.) shocked many people. Darwin will be MUCH bigger than Gigi was – as his parents are around 80 lbs. What is the standard size of standard poodles? AKC states a poodle over 15” is a standard poodle.

Show dog Hershey, father of my puppy, Darwin

The average weight is 45-55 lbs. and the average height is 24”.

I chose your breeding services over the many others because you have the most comprehensive website and because you breed for health and calmness. You also are very open about the feedback you get from so many past customers over the years, and you care so much about placing your pups into the right families! What else sets you and your poodles apart from others?

I think the fact that we are pet owners first sets us apart. This means that we only own and breed poodles that we’d wish to own as a pet – those that have the calm, stable temperament that will fit in our home and do the activities that we enjoy doing. Although all our poodles are UKC Champions we don’t dwell on that fact. (Click here for info about ow to find an ethical breeder.)

What can you tell us about health issues as far as large purebred dogs? There is a lot of information about large breeds getting more illnesses than ever before.

I think that with more and more purebred breeders participating in and even paying for health studies, we’re finding that the information about purebreds being unhealthy is inaccurate. Mutt or designer breeds can have horrible illnesses and diseases but this will never come to light in any professional study. The reason is because those breeders are not accountable to anyone, nor do they participate in any studies. Purebreds are registered, so there are health registries that compile information on health issues. And this data can be misconstrued to the public on the health of purebreds. Before getting a dog, you should demand that all the conclusive health testing be done on the pup’s parents, to ensure the puppy you are buying has the best chance of being healthy and living a long life. That being said, in today’s toxic environment, dogs (of every breed and background) are dying younger than they used to. Cancer seems to be the greatest life taker.

What does inbreeding technically mean when it comes to dogs?

Inbreeding to me means brother to sister or dad to daughter or mother to son. What we as breeders are using more these days is a tool called COI which stands for Coefficient Of Inbreeding. It is the calculation used to determine the level of inbreeding on an individual dog or puppy. We can then tell how close we are breeding by the number that comes up. The lower the COI number on a 10 generation breeding the less the inbreeding. It is very important to me as a breeder to use these measures.

What are some of the mistakes people make when getting a new dog?

Treating the puppy like a human, instead of being a good pack leader to the puppy is the biggest mistake new pet owners make. Dogs don’t understand the meaning of being treated “equally.” Puppies need a pack leader who gets the best of everything and does everything first. That’s how dogs are naturally in the wild. Pups need consistent rules to live by in order to grow up and be good canine citizens. They want to please you, the leader.

I am so glad you mention this, because we are determined not to make the same mistakes we made with our first poodle. For example, we never trained her properly to stop jumping on people and pulling on the leash as we walked her. And I’d certainly NEVER feed my new dog from the table again.

Our puppy, Darwin at 11 weeks

Can you give our readers any advice about getting through the challenging puppy phase? We are experiencing that right now ourselves!

Some people feel they are being “mean” by restricting a puppy or teaching them rules. A “bad” owner, will soon create a monster puppy that will rule the house even if they have the most submissive, passive puppy. There are many great TV shows that are free to watch that will educate you on how to be a good pack leader, such as “The End of My Leash” and “The Dog Whisperer.” Know that being a leader and teaching the puppy boundaries and what good behavior is, will equal a happy confident, well behaved puppy in no time. And that will last a lifetime! I guess in regard to the trials and tribulations of puppyhood, the saying “this too shall pass,” would be appropriate to use.

Have you ever had any strange requests from potential customers as far as the type of poodles they are looking for?

OH YES… asking me for blue or green eyes, like I can “create” that. Also I have been asked for special custom sizes, either exceptionally HUGE or very tiny. People need to read the breed standard that AKC has online and understand what physical characteristics are possible in standard poodles.

I’m laughing at the idea of someone asking you for a “tiny” standard poodle when there are toys and miniatures! Do most people who buy puppies from you show their dogs?

No, very much the contrary. People who contact me want loving, healthy pets. I have had many breeders contact us for breeding our show puppies, but I decline, preferring to place our pups in pet homes. I am very strict about where or even IF I will sell a puppy for breeding or show purposes, because I wish to know where the pups I produce and their progeny will end up. I feel a huge sense of responsibility for every puppy that leaves my home.

Gorgeous red show dog Ruby, winning an award

What qualities should a person look for in a standard poodle if he wants to show the dog?

A person needs to start with the Breed Standard. Read about it and know it and all the terms. Learn about what a good standard Poodle moves like, feels like and what qualities the judges are looking for. There are some great books out there like The Complete Standard Poodle by Eileen Geeson, that illustrate details of the Standard Poodle structure.  Then find a breeder who is showing and has championed many of her poodles. This type of breeder will have the right foundation poodle for you and hopefully will mentor you. When it comes to colour know that the judges are familiar and comfortable with the more common colours. Also the more common colours have had more time to be perfected in type and will have a better chance of winning at an AKC dog show. Most owners hire a professional handler to show their poodles in AKC or CKC because maintaining the dog and doing the required grooming for an AKC or CKC championship is beyond most owners’ abilities. There is also a UKC show venue which is restricted only to owner/handlers. This greatly levels the showing field since owners are allowed to show their poodles in a simple sporting clip (shaved down) with no fru-fru clips you are used to seeing on TV.

As a standard poodle owner, I know all about how much exercise these dogs need. Since I am a major exerciser, I consider this a plus. What do you recommend to new owners?

Pups need a lot of sleep and of course some play or exercise to wear them out. A good dog is a tired dog that is for sure. For walking distance the SPCA’s rule of thumb is five minutes per month of life, so if your puppy is 5 months old then he would need 25 minutes of walking per day. I don’t really find an average sized standard needs a ton of exercise. An adult Poodle would benefit from 2 brisk 20-30 minute walks a day, and this is a great way to bond with your Poodle. A trip or two, to the local off-leash dog park (after being fully vaccinated) is a great way to also meet their exercise needs.

This is so important, because I learned firsthand that dogs who get proper exercise are much better behaved!

In addition to breeding and showing poodles, both you and your husband are firefighters. How do you have time for it all?

My husband offers huge support when it comes to doing the socializing or trips to the vet. We are on different schedules as well, so there is always someone home with the dogs. I have a passion for what I do – and as long as I have that – I will have the energy to continue.

How many adult dogs do you have at your home?

We have 6 at any given time. We do have friends who are raising poodles, who come by when they are due to have pups. Or they drop off their dogs for day care or grooming and to enjoy a romp in our spacious yard.

What becomes of your retired (from breeding) poodles?

We have friends and family members who are familiar with our poodles and have welcomed retired poodles into their homes on occasion. We have also found suitable homes through interviews and/or home visits.  The reality is that as small hobby breeders, we just can’t keep every dog. Finding a loving pet home that offers our Poodles the undivided attention and love that our poodles will need and love, is a win-win scenario for everyone. Right now we also have 3 retired poodles living with us.

What do you like best about being a breeder?

I love receiving photos and letters from our puppy owners sharing stories about how our pups have enriched their lives.

From the extensive feedback on your website, I can see how fulfilling that would be! What is the most challenging part of being a breeder?

Trying to produce “perfection.” We strive for the total package, which to me means health (passing all conclusive health testing), temperament (meaning calm and stable), conformation (meets the breed’s standard) and of course obtaining the magnificent, rich, dark colours we are known for. Click here to read about Bijou colours.

Oliver, Cora and Sophie, with their gorgeous fur, pose for the camera

What advice do you have for someone who is thinking about becoming a dog breeder?

I could write a book about the subject! There is a lot to think about, so it is difficult to be brief. Breeding is a huge time consumer, so you will need the whole family on board. A breeder should have a good income to handle all the expenses that arise starting from the initial purchase which could be as much as $2500.00, to completing all of the health testing, the vet bills and advertising to name a few expenses. It is essential to find a good common sense vet that will work with you and not BS you into a lot of unnecessary vet care. People need to shop around for a vet who they trust and one they feel comfortable working with. It would be a huge asset to find an established dog breeder (of any breed) as a mentor who can teach you how to do a lot of your own medical care, and help you with grooming and showing. Also start off with a vision of where you wish to be and what you will wish to do, so that you keep moving in that direction and don’t get off track in your goals. I found dogs I admired and hung photos up to study and help me focus on what I wanted to some day own and produce.

Laura, thank you for all this great information. There are millions of people out there who own dogs or are considering getting a pet and would find your expertise invaluable!

If you would like to visit the Bijou Poodles website, click here. They are located in Toronto, Canada, but Laura can send her pups to you via cargo on a commercial airline safely (note there are restrictions about the time of year pups can fly.) Darwin, my puppy made it to South Florida, warm, happy and in perfect condition in the middle of January. Here’s info about upcoming litters. Email Bijou at brownpoodles @ yahoo.com.

Click here to read our Smart Poodle Comic Strip!

Husband and wife team, Doug Tate and Patty Weir are the owners of Tiger & Dragon Boca, a Kenpo Karate Studio in Boca Raton, FL. Karate is more popular than ever before (with both adults and kids) because of its many benefits. Today I sat down with Doug and Patty to get the scoop on karate, so our readers can learn more about this special art.

How did each of you get started in karate?

(Doug) I started in karate as a kid in Ohio.  My uncle owned multiple Kenpo Karate schools throughout the area and I trained extensively, earning my first black belt at the age of sixteen.  For years I trained and taught with my Uncle until I left for college.  I regained my passion for the martial arts many years later, when my own son was old enough to train in karate.  I’ve been training in multiple styles since that time, earning 2 additional black belts, and of course, opening a school with my wife, Tiger&Dragon Boca.

(Patty) My karate training started with my son when he was 7 and I was in my late 30s.  I had always been physically fit, working out at the gym and taking various cardio classes. I had watched my son take karate for several months, and then he stopped training.  He had a few months left on his contract, so the instructors asked if I would like to train in his place. Once I started, there was no turning back.  I earned my first black belt in 2008 and have started training in traditional Kenpo with my husband.  My son, age 12, has since re-joined and is well on his way to his first black belt.

Patty and Doug with their sons Dallas (left) and Adam at the studio

How would you best describe Kenpo to someone who may be unfamiliar with it?

Kenpo Karate is not a sport, it is the ultimate in real world self defense.  Kenpo Karate, also known as Ch’uan fa or “fist law,” is both an ancient and modern method of self development and self defense.  A true blending of inner and outer strength, Kenpo helps you develop grace and coordination as well as stamina and speed. Through Kenpo instruction, you will learn proper breathing techniques and movements utilizing the natural weapons of the body – the hands and feet – by developing breath control, muscle tone, quick reflexes and agility.

In addition to self defense, what benefits does Kenpo have for the participants?

The benefits of Kenpo karate, Shootfighting and the martial arts in general are many.
From training, there will be an increase in strength and flexibility, a gain in self confidence, concentration and focus.  Students learn how to recognize and avoid dangerous situations in addition to learning real-world self defense.

Students learn about their true inner strength and the art of self control, and experience improved cardiovascular health, weight loss and muscle toning through training and exercise.

After the holidays, are you seeing a lot of people who are coming into the studio to get into shape?

We definitely saw an increase in interest during and immediately after the holidays.  We all know that the holidays bring out the best in good food, celebrations and family time that often revolve around meals and delicious foods.  We often “give” ourselves permission to indulge during this time of year and have to pay the price afterwards.  New Year’s resolutions are a big part of this, but it’s our job to convince people that good health is more than a short-term project – it should be a part of everyday life all year long.

If a participant is dedicated, how many years does it take to accomplish a black belt?

The typical student (age 7+) can earn a black belt in Kenpo in 4 to 6 years, depending on the amount of time and effort spent training and practicing.  It takes approximately 3 to 5 years to earn a black belt in Shootfighting.

At what age can a child begin taking karate lessons?

We offer lessons beginning at age 3.  Even at this young age, it is important to be active, burn off that excessive energy, learn how to listen, focus and follow directions.  They are taught some martial arts basics, but the drills teach them life skills that help them through their school years and at home – discipline, respect, self-confidence, control and so much more.  Plus it’s a lot of fun!

Kenpo for kids at Tiger & Dragon Boca

What is Shootfighting?

Shootfighting® is a Japanese based, complete fighting system that combines both kickboxing with submission wrestling (ground fighting).  Shootfighting® will also enhance any other style of Martial Arts a student may already know. With its emphasis on complete transitions from stand-up to ground, it makes both the stand-up fighter or striker and the grappler or ground fighter stronger by eliminating the limitations of each.

What else do you teach at your studio?

We teach Kenpo karate and Shootfighting and also a variety of day-time general exercise/cardio classes such as Turbo Kick (cardio kickboxing), circuit training, Tai-chi, yoga and general bar-bell pump classes.  We also offer private lessons in all of the above for those who prefer not to train in group settings or want a combination of both private and group opportunities.

What is your favorite aspect of teaching?

(Doug) When someone has a desire to learn karate, I truly enjoy sharing my knowledge and skills.  That shared passion for the martial arts is what makes me realize I’m doing something good for the art, the student, my business and for my family.

(Patty) I love building the teacher/student relationship with the kids – especially the young ones.  To have them come into the dojo excited and smiling, eager to take their class, is the greatest.  I strive to incorporate exercise, fun and education during class and get great satisfaction as I watch them improve, learn and grow as people.

What advice do you have for anyone out there who is thinking about starting a karate studio?

(Doug) Have patience with yourself, your business and enjoy the process.  If you truly love the martial arts, then success will follow.

(Patty) To be successful in this business, you have to love what you do as well as love working with people.  Everyone has a unique story or situation – a reason for training at your dojo.  It is extremely rewarding and interesting – never a boring moment!  You also need to have a strong business sense – no matter how good you are at the martial arts or even at teaching, it is still a business and needs to be properly attended to.

Thank you Patty and Doug for all this valuable information!

Tiger & Dragon Boca offers programs for the entire family in an environment that is safe, fun and fosters new friendships. Lessons are offered for children as young as 3 years old. Don’t miss their 10 lbs in 10 weeks special!

If you would like to learn more about Tiger & Dragon Boca, please contact them:

Tiger & Dragon Boca
Hampton Square
19805 Hampton Drive – Boca Raton, FL 33434
561-926-1846

www.Tiger&DragonBoca.com