https://bmxdirect.asia/

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...

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing
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
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
Mulville   Bmx 5 Reasons  Tbog   Rd

5 Reasons Why Sponsorship Loyalty Kicks Ass

Profile's Mark Mulville breaks it down...

29 Dec 2015
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
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
Bmx  Chicago  Lacey  Ankle

Dan Lacey: Who I Ride With

The Importance Of A Tight-Knit Crew On The Road

20 Feb 2016
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://www.sourcebmx.com/?rfsn=4772610.92bf38f

Latest Content

O M9z YI0js W Mhqdefault
Play Button
0n0nssvm A Uohqdefault
Play Button

MIKI FLECK 'ELECTRIC ZUIN'

240v on those spots

3 Oct 2025
B7 Cl Ny w Dbchqdefault
Play Button

LISMORE ROAD TRIPPIN'

NOTHING BEATS A ROAD TRIP!

3 Oct 2025
73 U5 Et Jsby4hqdefault
Play Button

Vans x Odyssey Anniversary Collection 2025

"In honor of their 40-Year Anniversary, Odyssey have partnered with Vans on a new limited-edition collection"

2 Oct 2025
13 J4 Ao Oc Akghqdefault
Play Button
Overtime Thumbnail Colour v2 copy
Play Button

OVERTIME

Ft. Chad Ferch, Kent Fuller, Matt Perrin & More

1 Oct 2025
NSA08 Ouah Zghqdefault
Play Button

Shred BMX - Think Different

Perspectives from the Cleveland scene

30 Sep 2025
Q dz J Ycs5b8hqdefault
Play Button

V1DA - 'NO WAY OUT' JAM

Plaza Universitat, Barcelona

30 Sep 2025
56 Pk4 X0bnv4hqdefault
Play Button

KINK BMX - DAKOTA BRATT

Original and unique style on the streets of the US West Coast

29 Sep 2025
G02 Kr RA3 V70hqdefault
Play Button
Bros lucas thumb
Play Button

BROS STORE RIPPER - LUCAS MARTINEZ

From Paris to the south of France

25 Sep 2025
S7w Cg5 X Kj70hqdefault
Play Button

Profile's Cat's Eye Hubs - Inside Profile Racing

BTS hub produciton

25 Sep 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

07 2025 Huffy Sledgehammer Launch Project 132

Product Drop: HUFFY Sledgehammer frame

Huffy returns to BMX...

22 Sep 2025
Team kevin peraza boh winner 2025

BATTLE OF HASTING 2025 - TEAM PERAZA TAKES THE WIN

Results, Livestream re-runs, DIG Highlights & more

27 Aug 2025
Dig book cover mock better CROP

DIG - THIS BIKE COULD BE YOUR LIFE - "DOCUMENTING OVER 30 YEARS of D.I.Y. BMX CULTURE" PRE-ORDER NOW OPEN

An all new photo book from DIG focusing on our magazine history and the rise of the mid-school

1 Aug 2025
Thumbnail 2

Product Drop - ODYSSEY '85 Splatter kit

Nord, Walsh stems and Hazard lite rims

29 Jul 2025
Shirt swell k0150m back

Product Drop - KINK 2025 APPAREL

For Fall/Winter

23 Jul 2025
Big boyd black

Product Drop - ODYSSEY BIG BOYD RIMS

Boyd Hilder signature BIG BOYD rims in Black and Coffee.

11 Jun 2025
LOW Street station Saturday Jarvis 1 copy

MONSTER ENERGY 'CASH UP' 2025 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Another Year - New Locations - Even More Jams!

26 May 2025
Street station graphic

STREET STATION RETURNS for 2025

"Not your average BMX jam"

26 May 2025
Vans 11 27 21 014 Bruno Gap wall

BRUNO HOFFMANN INTERVIEW - 'FOREIGN'

"I think the scene is doing good..."

21 Apr 2025
RIXIN BIG APPLE ANGLE RAW ON WHITE 2500

PRODUCTIVITY - RIXIN Big Apple Frame

Billy Perry's signature frame - Built around what he needed.

8 Apr 2025
Rad teaser

Rad Day 2025

Anniversary movie screenings and RAD documentary release.

18 Mar 2025
Expert Top 3 Roll On crop

REPO: Keeping it local at the UK 'ROLL ON' Flatland Jam

"My desire was to give something back" – Mike O'Connell

5 Mar 2025