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Emerican Ghost Town

Sole Tech photographer Eric Antoine recently embarked upon a trip with across section of the European Emerica team with the added bonus of having our very own Welsh wizard, Chris Jones, in tow.

Straying away from the well beaten skate path, the diverse group headed off to Puglia in southern Italy in search of untouched terrain exclusively for Crossfire. Read on and check out the amazing photos to see how they got on.

François turned 19 on the first day of the trip. His chest hair has started to grow and, in the morning, he congratulates himself in front of such a discovery. He lives in Dunkerque (France) and for the first time he will get into an aircraft and fly, for the first time he will be fascinated in front of a cotton cloud, sea and for the first time he will order a salami sandwich and a Coke in English to a German stewardess.

Maxime Genin had minor knee surgery before the trip, but never the less, came along to add a dose of French humour and gently break himself back in. The European Emerica team welcomed François to the tour. He has no sponsors and skates like any good kid his age. He was chosen to spend 10 days with Eniz Fazliov, Chris Jones, Jo Lorenz, Helder Lima and Rob Maatman in a region that is not very exposed in skateboard media but has so much to offer.
Above: Eniz Fazliov Backside Smithgrind. Below: Eniz Fazliov Frontside Bluntslide.

Once in Bari and introduced to each other, our crew visited a set of curbs and benches that Helder nicely exploited with long hard lines. This was sick for sure, but I have to admit that what really caught my attention was the one- armed rollerblader who was practicing his moves and slides on the white curbs. With all my respect to disabled people, I have to admit that it’s very special and surprising to see that people have such activities when you know that its all based on balance and style. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him, a mix between admiration and misplaced curiosity in front of such character and hectic style. I’ll always remember you one-armed rollerblader!

Below: Chris Jones Half Cab Bluntslide.

That same day, we went to one of those Italian family restaurants, located in the outskirts of the towns the food was good and the atmosphere was electrifying! An added bonus was a neighbouring room packed to the ceiling with attractive women of all ages, most of whom were line dancing. That looked very scary but still, we almost lost François and Helder, facing a strange attraction to such a show. This can only be explained by an hormonal dysfunction or a special interest for 3rd age “ball lovers” reunion and a taste for 1980’s clothing.

The house we rented was located on the coast next to Gallipolli. Although it was a popular holiday location in the busy summer months, it was completely deserted at this time of the year. Long streets burned by the strong sun, roads of bloated tarmac surrounded by sad and lonely palm trees that eventually get pissed on by a couple of abandoned dogs or an old irascible Italian man.

Numerous bars and restaurants seem to be have been closed for a decade, viewing the state of the front yard, amongst broken parasols and high grass, it seems like no beer has been served here for years. At the end of those deserted streets, the sea was like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow of desertion.

However, when spring comes, householders get busy, landlords worry, and everyone rallies round to make the little town as attractive as it is on the internet pages to guarentee the influx of tourism.

Hard to believe at the period of the year we chose to visit Puglia. Its even more interesting for us because empty streets are the Eldorado of creative skaters and the region is rich in spots scattered around the astonishing and soothing landscape.

Instead of me telling you many anecdotes that probably only interest myself, I’m going to let François talk about this tour. An external, neutral (pure?) opinion on skateboard tours can only be refreshing. Thank you François!

Right: Rob Maatman Kickflip.

So, you’ve had to sleep with Chris Jones for 5 days, is that going well?

Ha yes, I admit, there’s been a bit of touching, we even sang “troubles” all night long.

Where are you at with your English lessons? You came here to learn, didn’t you?

I’m starting to be decent at it, everyone helps me, and I learn so many things here!

Is this your first skate tour?

Yes, I did a small tour in Belgium with the shop I skate for, KAMAS.

Have you ever been on a flight before?

No, this was my first time. I really enjoyed it apart from blocked ears. I love to clean my ears, so it was weird for them to feel full of gunk. I hate dirty ears. People with dirty ears seriously disgust me!! (This was followed by a long conversation about people with dirty ears, but, trust me, you don’t want to read this)

What’s the most surprising thing on that tour?

Let’s say it is that we all come from a different country, with different habits, and you have to cohabit. German, French, Dutch, Finnish, Portuguese… it’s like “loft story” (a French reality show) Well, the German and the Portuguese are a bit weird, they have a strange sense of humour, a weird way of living in general, it comes from a different education I guess. For the skating part, it’s different than what I know. Most of them quit school, this is what they do for a living, they are really professional, they try to film and shoot stuff. Well, I do that too, I’m not only here for free food!

Do you think the sessions are funny though?

Sure! Good sessions, the pole jam session at night was great! Another thing is, I have to warm up before skating. Those guys, nothing, no stretching, nothing, Rob gets out of the van, cigarette in his hand, leather jacket on, hood on his head and he lands a Wallie Crail grab first try!

Right: Rob Maatman Wallie Crailgrab.

What do you think of our apartment?

It’s chilly but it’s all right. Well, ok for a short stay anyway, there is just little heat, no couch and one ghetto bathroom for eight people. There’s not always hot water, but this is skateboarding…

How long could you stay on such tour?

I’d have to get used to it. The schedule is fine with me. But I couldn’t drink as much beer as I do now for much longer. I have to admit that the school schedule is way harder, and waking up in a foreign country to go skate makes you want to get up faster!

Do you like this region (Puglia)?

Yes, it’s a pretty poor region; there are only Fiat Pandas here, but it’s cool for skating. Roads and parks are not maintained in good condition; bridges and sidewalks are fucked up. There is only little police, the crisis is noticeable. But fewer police and security is better for skating!

Tell us more about your plane experience?
It’s just insane, in 2 seconds you go from ground to air, houses get smaller and then you’re flying. It goes by much quicker than by train. I got lucky I had a window so I could see everything. I was just happy. Honestly, I’m so happy to be here.

Right: Helder Lima Backside Smithgrind.

Who drinks the most on tour?

We all drink the same, well; maybe I drink a bit too much. However, Rob is one step ahead, he even opened a beer in the morning.

Who ate the most?

Jo

Who pissed the most?
Jo

Who hit on girls the most?

Helder

Who spit the most?

Rob

Who use most toilet paper?

Jo

Who talked the most?

Helder

Who complained the most?

Helder

Who got through the most boards?

Eniz I guess

Who showered the most?

Jean Feil

Who showered the least?

Me i guess. I can’t, I don’t like it…

You didn’t take any showers?

No, not yet (4th day of tour) I washed myself in the sink a little bit.

Who woke up the latest?

Helder

Above:Eniz Fazliov Feeblegrind Backside Revert.

Who woke up first?

Eric

Who went bed the last?

Jo, he reads very late

Who snored the most?

Chris, it’s insane, I swear, I sleep in the same bed and it’s unbearable!

Who is the most sensitive to cold?

Eric and Jean, you guys bought your own electric heater for your room and it’s always at maximum heat, come on!

Who was least sensitive to cold?

Chris, look at him, he just went outside with a flannel shirt and it’s freezing.

Who took the most clothes in their bag?

Helder

Who hardly took any clothes?

Eric

Who farted the most?

Me, I’m proud of it, I fart all the time, and I like it. How do you say it in English?

Enjoy the video here.