So one of the first things i learnt when i started travelling is that it is alot more about the people that you meet, rather than the places that you go, and i recon i have met more people on this trip than i have in the rest of my life put together. Many of them have changed the direction and plan for my journey, not always for the better, but today i wanted to give a bit of a shout out to a select few.
The start of my trip was a bit rocky, i think everyone goes through doubt at a point of major change in their life, but i had never done anything like this before, and anyone who knew me before i left probably knows my social skills wern't exactly top notch.... After spending a couple of days on my own, meeting a few people, some of them i would of been better off if i had not met, i ended up in a conversation with a fellow dweller of old blighty.... infact two of them. The first two people i met on this trip that had a real positive effect on the direction of the journey, and the first two that will be friends for life, Bryony and Christina, because of them i ended up going to canada, a decision that was most deffinately for the best, a most excellent place in the world. They gave me a place to stay, showed me a good time aswell as giving me a load more confidence to go out and meet other interesting people in this world.
I'd heard rumours back home about a certain attitude that surrounds burnside skatepark, supposedly a very localised spot, but at the same time a place i had to go! I have dreamt about visiting this place pretty much since i started skating. I walked up sheepishly, wondering about what kind of welcome i would recieve, it was raining, and alot of the park was damp, i saw two skaters a similar age to me that were skating a 1 foot tall transition, and if theres one thing i love, its a 1 foot tall concrete piece of shit, so I decided these were the kind of people that i wanted to hang out with. They turned out to be Steven Reeves (those of you who dont know who he is should find out, an amazing skateboarder) and Perry Hall. Perry is the realest..... ask anyone who knows him. He went out of his way to help me out, mainly because he understood the possision i was in, a well traveled, hitchiking, skateboarding, ice tea pedalling legend.... hanging out with Perry and his friends made my time in portland, topped with an amazing night involving drinking on the top of burnside, talking shit, and going to see the legendary misfits. Carl Ross is boss but Perry will give him a run for his money, check out some of his amazing skateboarding antics below.
Perry Hall is the Realest from Daniel Evans on Vimeo.
San Francisco is an amazing town, with an amazing skatepark, which is where i met the residents of the Culture Kids house. A group of amazing skateboarders, musicians and generally good people. I planned to visit san fran for about two days, and ended up staying nearly a month on a couch at said house, im still amazed and so greatful for their generosity, to open their house to a practicle stranger. So thanks to Andrew, Charlie, Justin, Mike, and everyone else, as i said these people are amazing musicians, you should deffinately check out some of the excellent music coming from these great minds! The links below are to two of the many bands that are the brain childs of at least one of, if not several of the residents of the c.k house. RECOMENDED LISTENING FOR SURE!!!!!!
The Moonhearts, my personal favourite is a song called 'Obliteration'
http://www.myspace.com/charlieandthemoonhearts
The Culture Kids, play it loud... it sounds better that way....
http://www.myspace.com/culturekidss
Lastly i would like to mention the Sables... now although i didnt meet them on this trip, they showed me the best time ever while i was in Australia , i stayed with them on and off for about three months, and they have given me many memories that i will not be forgetting in a hurry. Their kindness has been amazing, giving me somewhere to sleep, feeding me, and showing me a great time.
this photo pretty much sums up my time in Australia, constantly smiling, off skating, and being looked after by one Sable or another. THANKYOU!!!
This is just a tiny selection of the people ive met, if your not on the list that doesnt mean i have forgotten you, or am any less greatful for your friendship, but if i mentioned everyone i would be sitting here typing for the next week! these people are friends for life, which is a term i would not use lightly, i am indebted to all of you, and if i havent met you yet, im looking forward to it!
peace
0 comments:
Post a Comment