you need to give examples. Otherwise, don’t say it!) To start, the two of us did a little PR at the government office. It was an interesting time for us to be there as the country was having their political elections. 
We didn’t know it until there, but at the time, Corey and I were the first American BMX riders to ever actually visit and ride in Ecuador as we got told. Corey and I were treated to a stay at an amazing beach house with full, around the clock, maid service. 
The food was a little different in Ecuador. I don’t think I’ll ever get quite used to having chicken soup where when eating it, I discover not chicken meat that maybe has a small bone or two but rather the meat is attached the actual chicken leg with toes and EVERYTHING! To add to the beach house guest list, the roster also featured pro-appearances by various dogs, geicos, and believe it or not…SCORPIONS! 
Can you believe my Mom actually got stung by one of those?!? As if that wasn’t bad enough she’s actually really allergic to this insect which meant a rushed trip to the local hospital. The actual event was so laid back that they had Corey, myself plus the locals out there building the dirt jumps on the same day we were supposed to be doing the demo!
In order to have everything finished we had to compromise and ended up using a truck for the rolling and a pieces of wood to cover up all of the sand. After we were done with the demo, we had a little party to help me bring in the big 2-7 (as if 25 and 26 were big enough…lol). 
I want to make sure to send out a B-I-G thanks to everyone in the city of La Playas, I want to thank Jofre & Marcos for getting everything organized, all of the sponsors that made this event a reality, as well as everyone who came out to ride and/or watch all the shenanigans go down! Here are some pics to help document this adventure; only I really don’t think they fully cover or justify all the fun
we had! Thanks again everyone, hope you enjoy! Ricardo Laguna
Pic's By Corey Martinez & Ricardo Laguna
P.S. Thanks to Corey for making me wanna pick up another hobby PHOTOGRAPHY!!!
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.