Seoul - Day 6

Today really started yesterday. Because I didn't sleep at night, it's hard to make a clean cut between the two days, and the early events of today seem like they belong to yesterday. Last night I got back my board which I had left in the trunk of Mike's car. I called him up and went to Gangnamgucheong to fetch it. Then I caught the last train towards Jongno, but it made its last stop at Apgujeong. I had to take a taxi from there, but it was alright. Because I knew it was going to be a great night.

A clean-cut financial district in a modern metropolis. Huge buildings made out of glass make it impossible to see the sky. The busy streets are packed with cars and buses producing fumes and immense noises; the sidewalks are angrily walked on by shiny shoes and tall heels that belong to dressed-up workaholics rushing back to their desks in one of the countless offices. Artificially planted trees fail to make the scenery look natural and everybody knows, that's just how it is.

Now picture this. It's late at night. The lights are out, the buildings asleep. Computers are shut down, fax machines are silent. Nobody there. It's almost too quiet and only randomly an empty taxi drives by. The streets are poorly lit and the air smells like rain. The lights are red, but you wait patiently even though no car is in sight. Then the switch and you start crossing the street. Four lanes to the right, a little concrete island, then four lanes to the left. With every step you're getting closer.

Two dark buildings, reaching high into the sky, leaving only a narrow alleyway between them. The ground is smooth and you hop on your board. The hushing sound of the wheels makes you smile. You push once and you push twice, you feel at peace. You know there's action around the corner and you can almost hear the sound of popping tails and sliding wheels, the sound of clapping hands and vast encouragement. You finally get there and your friends were already waiting for you.

A few years ago Wonseok hyung founded a website called The Daily Grind. It's a platform for the Korean skateboard community to communicate and celebrate what we do. The cab dropped me off close to Gwanghwamun Station and I rang up Phil to get the exact directions. It didn't take me long to find them, but it was already past twelve when I got there. A solid group of dedicated skaters from all over the country, gathered together for an event called The Monthly Grind.

A date is set, a place is picked and then the news is spread. This was the seventh event of its kind and it was the first time that it was held at night. It officially started at one and would end by the time the first trains and buses start to operate again. Not too many skaters were expected because the weather forecast promised rain at a very high percentage. And yet, we ended up a superb crowd of more than fifty. It's amazing, the things that happen in this beautiful city that never sleeps.