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ESCORT SERVICES AND MISTAKEN IDENTITY: SKATING MANILA
12/4/2008 |
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We flew into a hot and steamy Manila a few days ago, the capital of the Philippines. It is a
densely packed region, with 14 million people battling it out in the streets everyday, on foot,
on scooters, in jeepneys, in cars and other forms of transport, all hurrying up to wait in the
perpetual traffic. We came out to explore the terrain and skate for a week. The past 36 hours
has seen quite a lot of rain, so unfortunately the skating has been cut a little short.
Brandon Westgate had to fly about 23 straight hours to get here, starting in Boston, then to Los Angeles, then to Hong Kong, then to Manila. Chris Pfanner came in from Barcelona, Chima from Sydney Australia, and Gravette from Seattle via Vancouver.
On of the first spots of the trip was this untouched beast. Chima, testing the waters with a 180.
After the double set, we ended up at this sketchy bowl. Gravette got right down to business. After shooting some shots, the bowl decided to take advantage of David, resulting in a dislocated toe. The sessions from this point on have David on the sidelines, perpetually explaining his outlook on life.
I think this is supposed to be a pull up.
This tour is like none other we have experienced. Since traffic is so bad here during the day, it was decided we would have police escorts to guide us from spot to spot. These guys don't give a shit. The whisk us through crowded intersections, forcing other cars to the side so we can slide right through. Oncoming traffic is no problem as well, it is a game of chicken. So far we have come out okay.
The only funny thing about the escorts, is that people think you are some foreign dignitary or famous person, or something like that. These kids thought we were the Jonas Brothers.
If the rain lets up, we will be skating soon. Here is the decrepit remains of a old park. Stay tuned for stories from Gravette. The guy once did stand up comedy before...
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