http://www.divisionbrand.com/news/

A Tourist in my own Home

Madera In the Streets Of Santo Domingo...

22 Apr 2019

Madera Bmx In The Streets Of Santo Domingo Alan Malecon Table

Story by Mike Hinkens | Madera

Living somewhere is a lot different than visiting somewhere.

You would think that after living in three different countries in the last ten years--aside from my home in the United States--that I would have known that well by now. But, even after all this time, it’s hard to reconcile the two. Maybe it’s because I only live in places for a year or two and I’m coming and going repeatedly. Or maybe it’s because I’m constantly hosting friends and family from back home and doing the sightseeing thing with them in between hanging out with my new local friends.

Whatever the case, I end up feeling like a tourist in my own home. A visitor to a city that I traverse daily. A newcomer to a place I am familiar with.

These strange contradictions are even more apparent when I host a BMXer. At first, I unveil tons of photos of spots and deliver assessments and details. We make plans and set expectations. We get hyped and head out to ride and film. But then, at the spot, I realize I never noticed some issue or never experienced some situation before. There is a bump there. The security is tight. The ledge is too fragile to session. The neighborhood is sketchier than I thought...

Madera Bmx In The Streets Of Santo Domingo Hinkens Street Corn

“I thought you’ve done this before...I’m asked.

“You’ve logged a lot of spots and have some insights and tips, but how well do you really know them?”

I’ve only ridden them a few times and I didn’t realize how challenging the setup is. I’m still trying to feel them out so I can continue to ride here and not offend the locals.

“The locals seem cool when we hang out, but how often do you actually ride together?”

Only occasionally, and I’m not too sure about who rolls with who or how committed they are. I’m still working on that.

“What’s up with the people hustling in the streets?”

I don’t always know what the food is or what they’re selling. I’ll eventually try it all; I’m just waiting to see what’s safe.

“There are a bunch of different kinds of police here. What’s the deal?

I’m not sure what they care about or what their jurisdiction is. I’m trying to avoid them as much as possible, but been asking around about who to trust.

  • Madera Bmx In The Streets Of Santo Domingo Hinkens Bike Leaving
  • Madera Bmx In The Streets Of Santo Domingo Allan With Water
  • Madera Bmx In The Streets Of Santo Domingo Cops On Bikes
  • Madera Bmx In The Streets Of Santo Domingo Crew

of 4

Each of my guests is usually amazed at how much I know about a city, but also surprised by how much I’ve missed.

And when those BMX guests come and we make a video during their short visit, we not only accentuate the contradictions laid out above, but also take a snapshot of the fusion of them all. We place ourselves and our bike riding somewhere between all of the questions and the answers. Our hastily applied marks fit in where and how they can, and the result is an interesting and unique interpretation of existing in a new place.

In the end, all I can do is continue observing, exploring, learning, and growing. And--it turns out--a BMX bike is a well-suited vehicle for those tasks, and the BMX families I continually meet along the way are great support systems, as well.

And then there is this edit. It may look like us doing our usual thing somewhere new, but in reality it’s just us trying to make sense of the unfamiliar with the tools we are most familiar with.

"Each of my guests is usually amazed at how much I know about a city, but also surprised by how much I’ve missed."

Related Video

Madera BMX - In The Streets Of Santo Domingo

Gems all over this Caribbean paradise... - More Info

Madera are Official DIG Partners.

Next

DIG X ETNIES ‘TERRITORIES’ MAGAZINE ISSUE 4

Felix Prangenberg, Benny L, Daniel Portorreal, Miki Fleck, Phil Martin and Jordan Okane in the streets of Barcelona.

Related Content

Snapshots - The 2016 Lost Bowl Jam Weekend
Snapshots - The 2016 Lost Bowl Jam Weekend
Snapshots - The 2016 Lost Bowl Jam Weekend
Snapshots - The 2016 Lost Bowl Jam Weekend

Snapshots - The 2016 Lost Bowl Jam Weekend

“Not everyone can ride in the wagon, some of us gotta pull it…"

15 May 2016
Bmx  Chicago  Lacey  Ankle

Dan Lacey: Who I Ride With

The Importance Of A Tight-Knit Crew On The Road

20 Feb 2016
THE STREET SERIES X BMX DAY 2015 - CHICAGO PHOTO GALLERY
THE STREET SERIES X BMX DAY 2015 - CHICAGO PHOTO GALLERY
THE STREET SERIES X BMX DAY 2015 - CHICAGO PHOTO GALLERY
THE STREET SERIES X BMX DAY 2015 - CHICAGO PHOTO GALLERY

THE STREET SERIES X BMX DAY 2015 - CHICAGO PHOTO GALLERY

The Windy City didn't know what hit it!

1 Feb 2016
Mulville   Bmx 5 Reasons  Tbog   Rd

5 Reasons Why Sponsorship Loyalty Kicks Ass

Profile's Mark Mulville breaks it down...

29 Dec 2015
Profile Dungeon Rd 02

Forgotten Artifacts From Profile's BMX Dungeon

Some truly Old School history that you don't see every day...

16 Apr 2018
Allbutinvincible Hinkens 3

Print Matters: All But Invincible

"We can't be beholden to the masses when it comes to creating art."

25 Jul 2018
Brian Kachinsky - Relocation Motivation
Brian Kachinsky - Relocation Motivation
Brian Kachinsky - Relocation Motivation
Brian Kachinsky - Relocation Motivation

Brian Kachinsky - Relocation Motivation

A photo journal of new turf exploration for GT.

1 Jan 2018
https://cinemabmx.com/search?type=product&q=reynolds+wheel

Latest Content

Hc T Dfbwrv04hqdefault
Play Button

Source BMX - Colin Varanyak Bike Check 2024

Colin's slick Haro whip

1 Nov 2024
Yzn C1d NDN Zchqdefault
Play Button

BSD - MIXTAPE - Extras / Barcelona Mix

Extra riding, extra clips and extra laughs from the crew.

1 Nov 2024
Thumnailm9
Play Button

MArieJADE - Milkshake 9

Courage Adams, Tom Deville & Arnaud Wolff

1 Nov 2024
Hc T Dfbwrv04hqdefault
Play Button

Source BMX: Colin Varanyak Bike Check

Breaking down his Haro CK setup

1 Nov 2024
Gzhn12 Kmxn Uhqdefault
Play Button

Groundswell Bowl Battle

DEEP END ROASTING

31 Oct 2024
0i L Uoc8ig M Ahqdefault
Play Button

Cold Cuts - Jacob Cable - "THIRTY" - Kink BMX

BTS with the bckwards ice and nose manual master

30 Oct 2024
DOHAO6 X Qu3 Qhqdefault
Play Button

JOHN LOPEZ - 'TACERE'

DIG LOCALS

30 Oct 2024
Yg T Wh Jiw KJ4hqdefault
Play Button

BRETT SILVA - BOROUGH BREAKER RALLY

Episode 1

30 Oct 2024
G Ktx CK6 Jm3 Ahqdefault
Play Button
Street squad
Play Button

ALIENATION STREET SQUAD

Ben Allen, Dr David, and Bailey Koenigs

29 Oct 2024
PXE3 JC MR Jwhqdefault
Play Button
In between ep4
Play Button

THE INBETWEEN: EPISODE FOUR SEASONS

"Support Your Local"

28 Oct 2024

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

24 photo comp web leader

THE 2024 DIG PHOTO COMP IS NOW LIVE!

OVER $1000 WORTH OF PRIZES UP FOR GRABS

15 Oct 2024
Greystoke issue 2

GREYSTOKE BMX MAGAZINE - ISSUE 2 OUT NOW

132 pages of tangible, hold-in-your-hands BMX print media.

11 Oct 2024
SUNDAY Silvawave Frame 3 Q web

PRODUCT DROP: Brett Silva's signature SUNDAY 'SILVAWAVE' frame

"It was only a matter of time before Brett got to call the shots."

26 Sep 2024
Osomatsu 4

SETUPS - Kazuei "Osomatsu" Oimatsu - ALIVE INDUSTRY

A Ben Lewis signature frame stacked with Animal parts

12 Sep 2024
20240907 BOH 019 perris

BATTLE OF HASTINGS 2024 - Everything you need to know

Schedule, livestream links, highlights, results & more...

2 Sep 2024
Garrett ss24

SIMPLE SESSION 24 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Highlight videos, schedules, results and more

24 Aug 2024
Volume frames 2

PRODUCTIVITY - NEW VOLUME JASON WATTS & KRIS FOX FRAMES

Certified for roasting - THE SMOKO & THUNDERHOOF

6 Aug 2024
Efise leader results

WHO WON THE €22K at E-FISE 2024 WOLVERHAMPTON?

The results are in!

12 Jul 2024
Kink 2025 bikes

PRODUCT DROP - KINK 2025 BIKES

That New New!

12 Jul 2024
DSCF5547

MIKE MASTRONI AND THE STORY BEHIND THE 'TELOMERE' VIDEO

Backstories behind the clips

24 Jun 2024
X Games California 2023 Kevin 2

X Games Ventura 2024: BMX Preview

Who, what, where and when

15 May 2024
Hannah roberts dsc00340

X Games Debuts Women’s BMX Park at Ventura 2024

This year, X Games is adding Women’s BMX Park to the schedule, and Hannah Roberts is leading the charge.

10 May 2024