This is kind of cheating, but I'd like to highlight the underground skateboarding scene in Beijing. Over the summer, Danny Way jumped the Great Wall at the Badaling portion of the Great Wall.
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There is so much to say about Beijing that I don't think I can ever capture it in just one report. Instead, I am going to find ways to cheat and keeping talking about the city I've grown to love. Maybe its too far, if so, I'll delete this but skateboarding is an interesting subculture of the Beijing scene. A subculture brought to the medias attention by the Danny Way. A well known skateboarder in the US who breaks all kinds of records for death defying feats- including the first skateboarder to be dropped from a helicopter onto a ramp. It took a lot of money and work to prepare for this stunt on the Great Wall.
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Isn't that amazing, that takes guts.
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The last man to attempt a jump failed, on this portion of the wall anyway. He used a bicycle and didn't make the jump. All of the english magazines were hyping up Danny Way's stunt and the underground scene was buzzing over the chance to shine in the media limelight. My boyfriend was in town, and while he studied in Beijing he became really interested in the skateboarding scene. Me, many of my close friends back home love the extreme sport- so we couldn't resist this event.
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Badaling Section of the Great Wall
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Plus, it was my first time to the Great Wall. Sad that it was a skateboarding event that took me to see the cultural relic of China but for some reason I just wasn't all that interesting. Not that the Great Wall isn't great, it is. This is the landmark of China, and a pretty interesting one. For me anyway, someone jumping from one side to the other is more interesting.
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Borrowed Pic from Fox New.s
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It was really interseting to see the underground scene emerge and give its support. I'll post a few pictures of the skateboarders we met previously, the Danny Way jumping and see how the community reacts.
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I'll keep this short since it's more experimental than anything else.
But, they set up this massive ramp on one side, just falling off like you would a normal half-pipe.
He did the trick 3 times before hurting his shoulder. He was sucessfully all three times but couldn't seem to land it after he did the trick- due to going way to fast.
He did it all on a sprained ankle too. MTV even came to China for the event.
He broke his own record and jumped 80 feet! I think that deserves a globo report. ;-)
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I just need more picture space. I know I know, this is really stretching it right?
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My point is to highlight the aspects of the culture that aren't touristy. And the importance of exploring these various aspects when you visit places. My dad always taught me to pick up the local city guide everywhere you go, always in the US, but now its been helpful as I explore China. I've stumbled across events that are really unique simply because I look through the (english) magazines and keep my eyes and ears open for cool, new things to explore.
I understand if this is an abuse of the report aspect of the community, I'm just playing around with it.
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Published on Thursday November 10th, 2005
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Mon, Nov 14 2005 - 03:24 PM
 by toribio
Fri, Nov 11 2005 - 05:27 PM
by bootlegga
| One of the most unique reports on Beijing/the Great Wall I've read. |
Fri, Nov 11 2005 - 01:44 PM
by nedkelly
This report rocks so fuckin much I give you 20000000000000000 stars!!!
This is my sorta life...and it is how I live mine....Rock on babe!!! |
Thu, Nov 10 2005 - 05:17 PM
by davidx
| How can it be cheating when it gives such pleasure? There's nothing wrong with ingenuity and if it gets you more of your photos, keep showing it! |
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15 votes
