It's all downhill from here! My love of pain made me travel with a longboard at some point, with my overall clumsiness and lack of concentration sweetened the physical suffering. Traveling these days has become boring and mainstream for me that I found another style to make it more interesting, so I fell in love with longboarding when I was traveling/living in Cusco, Peru, and that was my Longboarding Days: The Birth of Painful Pleasure. And also, Longboarding Taught Me These 5 Important Lessons in Life.
I was in this village called Malalcahuello located in the Andes, in the southern part of Chile. I stayed here for almost two weeks during the end of winter and had become A Snowboarder and a Lonely Fox. This place is surrounded by a stunning landscape dominated by snowy volcanoes and the majestic Andes. This is just one of those places still unknown to the rest unless you are a snowboarder or a ski instructor looking for another winter season in the southern part of the world. But I was just here to try snowboarding for the first time. I must admit that I love it more than longboarding now because it's nice to fall in the snow instead. However, what if there's no more snow nor waves?
I made friends with the ski and snowboarding instructor from Italy and Chile who were working in the ski resort, and they hosted me in their apartment while I was looking for a place to stay. They were helpful, and fun to be with. I couldn't imagine staying anywhere else as I'm not really a fan of Chileans, even though I've met some few friends from this country. Well, my instructor mostly worked in other countries and even got his certification in Canada, so he himself is not a fan of his own people. Actually, the rest of Latin America could attest to that. Mainly because of the people's over patriotic tendencies, apparent closed-mindedness, and this We are the US of South America mentality. Being the most progressive nation in South America, they have the most immigrants from the neighboring poor countries and worsening the already bad reputation of the Latino Chileans to the rest of the continent.
To be quite honest, I'm not really a fan of people in general and it does not really matter where they are from. I see everyone just the same - Latinos, garbage man, Europeans, president - I speak to, like and dislike anyone the same way. Which is probably why I got into trouble/arguments during my travel, as some people thought they will get some kind of confirmation from me, or I will provide them some confirmation. It turned out, I was not that special, and neither they were. I slowly learned how to detect from 5 meters away, someone unworthy of another glance from me. Ignoring could be the only thing that could give you power sometimes.
But there's a good thing I believe, everyday I try to improve myself, but still, I will not lie and portray a glorious side of me. I travel so I could also see the good in people, but sometimes, they are just making it damn hard for me. Good thing there's something called Longboard, ha!
So, to hell with people, look at this magnificent work of some supernatural being. The green trees that carpeted the mountains, the lush landscape, the unlimited fresh air and the sun God that burned the pavement I was about to ride. This is how it is to be happy, isn't it?
The roads were empty and the people seemed to be busy in their inside jobs, and I was here just to enjoy this beautiful day especially made for me. I pushed the ground until I got a good speed, good enough to propel me down the hill. But not too fast that would add yet another set of scars on my fragile body. It was not on purpose that I didn't bring my helmet.
I could hear the wheels as it developed an intimate relationship with the pavement, all music to my ears. The adrenaline rush riding the longboard in the middle of this amazing scenery was a spiritual experience itself. Maybe I was too old for this toy? Who cares,
Speed, it seems to me, provides the one genuinely modern pleasure. - Aldous Huxley.
What better way to waste your life away than to spend some quality time in nature, with its beauty worthy of my worship. During the happiest days of my journey, I found myself tramping in the woods, sitting by the river and searching for some kind of escape.
My longboard had become a significant part of my journey as it accompanied me during my hardships and long waiting hours on the road. Nothing's more pleasurable than having something you love by your side during those lonely times. Oh yes, Longboard's my friend, no matter how much physical pain it gave me as I bombed the hills. Its benefit was astounding, mentally, I could even spiritualize the Longboard's life-changing effect on my journey. It took me to far corners, taught me how to balance and made me realize the real meaning of pleasure. That even pain could give you pleasure if you learn how to pour it to the present and feel every nerve of your body. Suddenly all those meaningless worries were gone. The past is gone.
With persistence and deep appreciation of its value, it taught me not to give up. Crashing again and again eventually helped me to stay on it, and it was the best feeling worth repeating.
you've gotta live before you die.
Your experience of pain long boarding reminded me of my first snowboarding day where I spent 5 hours trying to stand and kept falling! I came home with a purple lower body full of bruises nd when my sister who was hoping I'd learn so we could do it together asked me "How was it?" I took my pants off and showed her my swollen, bruised legs, thighs and butt and told her I would do it all over again next weekend. Loved the pain of trying to learn to balance on it but you are right, I would much rather fall onto the snow
I know, with surfing and longboarding, I guess snowboarding has become easier for me.
That's the spirit!
I was learning backslide and coleman, oh it was hard! I had a lot of bruises. Some friends taught me, you can see the first link on my post, I have a gif doing backslide. I learned a little but so difficult.
This is such a cool video! You make sliding look easier. I think you should post it, this is good for Curie!
Used to downhill longboard quite a bit but the just couldn't handle the high potential for injury in the sport. I was getting really into Brazilian Jiujitsu and realized I would rather get injured in the mats than on the pavement :D
5 years ago:
Wow you're looking cool here! I know what you mean with the high potential for injury. I once landed on my face, and yeah, with blood and a big bump on my forehead. People thought I was physically abused and didn't believe that I was longboarding lol.
yep landed on my head a few times, thankful for my helmet. Also got a huge hematoma in my elbow once, it was the size of a golfball. Anyway, goodluck and stay safe on the roads :)
Hahahaha!!! 👌😎😉 what an absolutely unique way to explore the world. Love it!!!
Thank you! 😊
pleasure :)
With such focus, pain came become less painful and pleasure more pleasurable. Almost encouraged me to get a longboard! But, I'll just stick with walking :)
Wipeout on pavement is pain. So I agree, walking is good!
Your face is beautiful 😍😍😍😍😘😘😘😘
Thanks!
brave
@rogerblu
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I see that some surf the summerish roads and some the winter hills road.
I just got to say : " I can fly so high I can fall so deep....but who do I see comin' up the track"?
Good one!
Is a longboard the same as a skateboard only longer?? Whatever it is, you just made me want one!
Yes, longer and balancing is easier. That's why I like it. But there are different types.
Ok, you can check out the internet and see what's best for you and what do you really like. If you just want to cruise around the town, there's a longboard for that. Mine was more for downhill or extreme sport.
I feel a new hobby coming on.... !!!
Uh oh, I said the same thing and I got hooked lol. Good luck and I hope you write about it too.
Hahaha! Uh oh indeed! Cheers. :)
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