Before I spent a lot of good times in my teens and twenties in this skate park, I had never heard of bands like Bad Religion, NoFX, Flema, 2 Minutos or The Ramones. Here I learned to do and feel many of the things that today in my adulthood define me. A good example is that I never fit into any social group as well as in the skateboarding culture. They are just good guys...
Lovers of naturalness. Unassuming, but not necessarily unwilling. Plus, you know what's important? The sense of community. The one where you feel like you belong and you're safe and secure. Nostalgia, boy, is it doing its thing at the moment. Luckily, this skate park is still the place to be for the guys and girls who practice this sport and want to be in peace and community.
They say about extreme sports, that they are not recommended... It may seem false but there are still stigmas within society that still have the ‘inquisitive finger’ as a negative protagonist when it comes to pointing out and indicating something ‘bad’ in people who follow alternative corridors. Of this, I know something. Being a woman and loving skateboarding, graffiti, mud, sweat and punk rock, is not too attractive. In places like Los Angeles or New York, it might be cool, but in my city and country, let's say it's nothing to do...
When I see these pictures it is almost impossible not to remember the old days of the past. Even some of the crazy things we painted on the walls of this place are still there today. Almost 15 years later, they are still there. Drawing smiles on my face, and strangely enough, unlocking songs, bands and good times... How nice it is to add years in life and to have had the opportunities to be brave and authentic. As a teenager, sometimes, I used to question more tastes. Now, I treasure having maintained and defended them.
Perhaps you only see concrete skate structures and nothing else, but I can't help but remember and smile. And I can assure you, it must happen to you too with certain places. I'm not one to give advice or tell you what to do or how to feel, but in my case, I consider skateboarding to be an extremely undervalued window that my generation knew how to make new and lasting friendships and fellowship. Like any urban tribe, the bond comes from honesty and sharing and equality. Those concepts are as immersed within this skate park as its ramps, grid and graffiti. It's been beautiful to come back and remember what I still love and loved the most at the time....
awesome photos and words to go with them. skateboarding is the future. old skateparks like that will remain like old ancient sculptures like the Egyptian pyramids as a tribute to re-assessing a public space's use, which is what these extreme sports do. its really good for communities. a waxed ledge is a sign there is strong culture in the community