Search For Family, Dunoon, Scotland 24 miles

If you have read some of my previous BLOGS, I speak of my 104 year old great-grandmother that was born and raised in scotland.. I was raised hearing stories of her childhood, living in Dunoon Scotland, having a wealthy father that owned a shipping company that transported spices from India to Britian. During time spent in America, she met my great grandfather, a blue collar working man from Michigan, fell inl love and married in her 30's. She left all that she had in Scotland, for a new life. That herritage, still lies here in Scotland, but has become a distant reality to all of her children and children's children.. I have no knowlegde of relatives that hold her Shank or Muir name. I do not know where she went to school, have no idea where to find the house that she grew up in; the only thing I know is a town called Dunoon. We go here today. I giggle becuae I had another miscommunication with Ruben. I told him that we were going to the place of my family. Little did I know he actaully thought we were visiting family, as he asked what he should wear, thinking we were going to supper. He said he was hoping my family lived in a castle...as this became the joke for the days as we rode past amazing houses, even castles, and Ruben would point and yelled, "There is the house of your family, let's go". As we ride near Dunoon in the Agrile Forest, up and down the most amazing roads, face steep leg and lung burning hills, and pass Scotish farms; I reflect on a conversation about family that Ruben and I had. I asked Ruben about his heritage. I felt guilty becuase in the past he sent me a 30 page typed document (in Spanish) about his family's history and I have not been able to get through it all. Spainsh, from my limited interaction with the people, are family orientated. Family, the past, and present are who they are, of value, very important. I can say that americanas have lost a since of heritage. The melting pot has been mixed up for so many generations, that many have no idea of their past and truthfully many do not care to even know. Since hearing ruben's passion about his people and herritage of nothing but 100 percent spanish blood; I have become more interested is finding mine. So today we wonder around the village of dunoon, and stop at the visitors center. I ride, pass the old churches, town hall, village shops, and imagine my grandmother being here taking a walk as a child with her nanny or walking down the street as a young woman with her first love. That day I did not find anything really about my family, nevertheless I did find a since of where I came from...something I never knew I wanted.
Amore, Katelyn

Isle of Arran, 32 miles

I was a bit disappointed that my first scheduled Tour did not book. However, I am giving myself a big break because I cannot expect much with only advertising a little..little bit only starting two months ago. This is why I am here, in europe. I purchased my plane ticket so I could lead the first tour in Scotland, but with it not booking left me time to really explore the route in SW Scotland and scope out Tuscany again for next year. So all is good..... When I arrived to Brodick on the Isle of Arran, I already felt like I had been there.
I planned the tour with Liz, she had already told me so much about it. I have read books, surfed the net, and studied maps about this place so I could put it on the website and plan a detailed agenda...

Port Brodick is about a 45 minute ferry ride from the mainland. I must say this was an exciting point of the trip for Ruben and I. I do not think you get that many ferries in Tennessee or Spain; so the 70 pound fee to take 2 passengers and a car over and back, was worth it. Brodick, the metropolis of the Island is not really much at all. It is a small Village really, no movie theater, a few hotels, loads of bed and breakfasts, a grocery, and a row of bars and little shops. This place is absolutely beautiful with the sea side views and quaint little village. I have found that the best part of the villages of Scotland is all the bed and beaskfasts. Chain hotels, or hotels at all are non existent here. The way to do it here is to stay at a small farmhouse or little stone cottage on the beach with a family that welcomes you to their home.

You may luck upon a B&B that is not booked, but most of the time stopping by the visitors center to get assistance with booking, is the best way to go. This night we ended in a beautiful stone farm house, complete with garden and chickens.

Upon arrival we were greated by our house master, kelt and real knife stuck in his sock..

I only know this because he whipped it out--the knife that is.... A character if I can say that. Friendly and polite, yes all scottish are, but also talked your ear off-half of what I could not understand. I can tell you it took a hour to talk about breakfast. I knew everything you wanted to ever know about a scottish breakfast and what all the other guest were having and even at what time. Ruben would just look at me about every 5 minutes and mouth the words.."What is he talking about". Normally, Ruben says this because he cannot really understand the scottish english (most of the time I do not either) so he is roaming around this place how I do in Spain. So I just looked at him and said, I have no idea...I really did not. I just looked and smiled and nodded as I noticed this character with a Scottish style mulet also had a necked lady necklace wrapped around his neck next to his traditional decorative pins and chains. Besides the strange meeting, I can say the stay in this quaint b&b was what you think it should be, warm, full o charm and a since of history and family, complete with a scottish breakfast.

A scottish breakfast....... Fried Eggs, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, potatoes cakes, sausage, haggas, bacon, ham, and if you are lucky..beans. Ahhhh ya......I found myself dumping all my meat on Rubens plate, of wich 3/4 of the plate consists of. He would always shake his head no, but then would always eat it because he told me he was raised not to waste.

The first few days, I thought he was going to have problems....spanish do not eat this much meat in a week, nor consume over 500 calories before 2pm. Ruben was always wanting olive oil and not butter; butter, something not existent in a Spanard's diet. However, after the 3rd scottish breakfast, I think he was looking forward to it, because if he had a choice of anything else, he always wanted the scottish breakfast. A big breakfast is always good before a good ride. A perfect ride is what we got this day.

I choose the top half loop of the Isle of Arran. Only 32 miles winding along the coast and through the breathtaking island mountains adorned with sheep, but a hard ride fighting the strong sea head wind and climbing up at times for 30+ minutes on single paved roads only big enough for one car. And a few cars is what we saw as we rode. I began to be amazed how fast Ruben's fitness improved on a bicycle. Ruben was always there right besides me talking away or right behind me on my wheel working his flat peddles to the max...well until I stopped for a phone call and told him to go on...as I took a wrong turn..the only wrong turn on the island. Luckily I rode pass a cyclist that sent me in the correct direction toward the "scantily dresses lad".At this time I was about 4 miles ahead with all possible layers on to keep warm from the chilling head win. When I finally caught him, at the end of the ride, Ruben was smiling because he knew I was going to take a wrong turn. Something he picked up on after me being the co captain driving through Glascow.

At the end the day I am thankful that this will not be the last time I will be here... I will return, hopefully with a van full of customers.

Amore,

Katelyn

Little Trooper, Isle of Skye, Scotland 54 miles

I am always relieved to be in the company of someone that is layed back as much as myself. Layed back I mean not letting little bumps, ripples in life get you down. Not sweating the small stuff, the glass is half full and not half empty. You can usually tell a layed back person by a phrase they say when things get a little tense. I say' "It is all good", and Ruben says, "no problem". After this you can feel any stress dissipate. I have not always been this way. The exact opposite actually. I was a worried that only found relief if I planned for the worst. This characteristic made me a excellent multitasker, a excellent employee, a sucesfull student; but a miserable person. I though every possible direction, good or bad in life, could be planned. I learned the hard way that not all things in life can be planned. All the energy put into woring would do no good. Your reality can become a nightmare that spirals downward leaving you grasping for stability, normality.

Traveling, you learn that planning can be a pain and most of the time is better to go with the flow. I am glad Ruben is a "No problem" kinda guy. It has made my travels with him some of the best days with a companion that I have ever had. I think half of it is my new outlook on life, and of course, his way of life. This was evident as we started the Day in the Isle of Skye. At this point we had been on one very short bicycle ride. I looked at him, pointed to the map, and said, "well how many miles to you want to do". He pointed to the road that lead up the Northern pensula and then back round to Portman. I kinda giggled and said, I think that is about 54 miles and very hilly. He said,"no problem". Hmmmm....... I thought. Ruben admitted said he has not exercised much this summer except for an occasional run, has not ever spent much time on a bike. I compare this to someone asking me if I wanted to run a marathon without any training. Yes I could do it, only because I am that stubborn, but the event would be absolutely miserable. Ruben was cheerfully volunteering to go through possible misery. He just said," if I cannot do it, I wait and you go and get the car, No problem". So we did it with no problem. I must say that the pace was a leisure one, stopping for highland cow kisses, Stopping for a snack on the side of the road Stopping at every possible vision of beauty for a picture. I saw things differently this day. Saw things I do not think I would of seen if Ruben was not with me. Usually, I would of had my head down for a majority of the time, moving in and out of la-la land, and focusing on my breath as I pushed myself until my legs burnt. The mind set of a racer getting a rush off of what a bicycle can do for you; now that is beginning to learn to love her bicycle for the places it can take you. Only if you remember to look up..... Ruben's best quality, always looking up at life, seeing, being open, absorbing, reflecting, analyzing, and always learning. So this day me teacher reminded me of how to look up at life and always believe that nothing in life is impossible.
Amor, Katelyn

Rain Rain go Away, not so bad after all. Fort William and Isle of Skye

Marco sent me a email speaking of how he apologized for not getting me to the airport in time to make my flight to Scotland. Truthfully, it did not phase me; I have accepted the fact that missed flights, being stranded in the middle of no where, getting on the wrong train, being completely lost, losing most of your belongings, and paying too much for a hotel because it is the only one available… is all apart of traveling. Even so, not even Marco can control the traffic of Pisa. He said one thing..”Non tutti I mali vengono per nuocere” or “Not all the Evils come to Harm”.

It is funny how all important things heard in life, do not actually include listening until you are ready. Victor, my old councilor and friend, once told me that the “ the teacher does not appear until the student is ready”. This lesson has begun to show its self to me as I progress through my recent past and as I continue my journey this day not on my bicycle how I want, but soaked in the cold Scottish rain, and my Italian Friend reminded me of this.

I awoke this morning, wet and cold; no appropriate camping grear such as a sleeping pad or sleeping bag due to a miscommunication between Ruben and I. Humorous actually, as the sun set last night we began to put up the tent in the Highlands of Glencoe,and Ruben looked at me and said where is your pad and bag? I said, I thought you were bringing it, I only have one. He smiled as said, “no problem, well at least you have a pillow”. I just laughted because it was true, at least I had a pillow, and a padded bike bag that worked perfect for a sleeping pad, I also had a sheet that we used for the bicycles, and I also had many layers of clothes and Ruben’s down coat (on a Spaniard would think he needed a down jacket in the Scottish summer-and come to find we did). So this morning as we planned our escape from the tent when the rain stopped, I had a thought only for a moment, that I was upset that today again I would not get a bicycle ride in because of the rain. .

”Non tutti I mali vengono per nuocere” replaced this thought as we began to drive and I actually looked up. The sun, only visible for moments in time, would beam pushing the light with a force through the gray and blue clouds. Florescent green land, highlighted the shadowed forest. The bald mountain tops glistened from the rain with a twinkle.

The fog moved with the wind almost evolving from he land of my distant family. Red, blue, green fishing boat popped with vibrant color with the haze of the day. All would not been seen on my bicycle. Yes my head would be down a lot, hiding from the rain.

Staying out of the rain at a hotel or a café would of not given opportunity to wonder through a castle. Seeing Ruben’s reaction at his first castle, the castle from the movie “Highlander”, would of not been possible.
With the rain and not being able to ride, we took time to visit the Village of Fort William. A village adorned with bicycles, because the Mountain Bike World Championships were the week before.

Arriving late to our city of choice on the Isle of Sky, only to realize all rooms were booked…well except for a room, of a old woman that offers her home to tourist, would of not been experienced. We got a real taste of Scottish culture with a real Scottish breakfast, staying in a room with real Scottish decor, and laughs were brought on by being offered tea and home made pastries at midnight.

We were lost in Portman, a village on Skye, and happened upon a Scottish marching band. Following with the other tourists, we were maybe a little too excited. I was armed with camera and tried to capture the moment as we all got a fill of kilts and bag pipes.

All of this ….”Non tutti I mali vengono per nuocere”

(Scottish Face with Jimmie Hats- Pita's I may have spoiled your suprise)

Big Car Little Roads 007, Glencoe, Scotland 16 miles just cruzin

I asked Ruben to name this Blog, and it fits perfect.

I have come to learn that I enjoy seeing him respond to unusual-alties of his new world. I guess it is the same for him when he sees me discover the Spanish world. Seeing the excitement on my face, the discovery; like a child experiencing a new thing; such as a first roller coater ride, going to the zoo and seeing a real lion, or a first movie in a big theater. Things we take for granted, normal, no-big deal, usual; elements in our world, can be a realm to discovery for another. This discovery can spark imagination, revelation, and re-route the mind map. What matters most is… if as human beings we are willing to make the effort to truly see, feel, share, and experience. My world has become this and I have enjoyed every moment of it, and the people I have met have lead me this way..only because now for the first time in my life my eyes are open.

My arrival at the airport was what I expected…..seeing my two friends, Liz and Ruben with the biggest smiles. Liz, says…. Hi-Yaaaaa with that cheery Scottish accent and gives me the most perfect little giggle; Ruben, smiles and says….hellllooo….as he annunciates the l’s and extends the o’s to unknowingly replicate a “American Hello”. He always adds a tad bit of a Spanish greeting seemingly to remind me that he is Spanish and I need to try to understand him…just a little. They are late, as they had a flat tire and picked up a stray dog that wandered on the motorway. I am over 24 hours late because I missed my plane, but had a geat day and night in Pisa. Ruben said it perfectly,we have a present for you, Lizaaaa, being the social worker that she is, picked up a stray dog on the motorway. No stress, it is all ok, it is time to start our adventure, and it begins with renting a car.

I actually thought it would be good to rent a mid size car, big enough to put two bicycles with the wheels off into the back. Being thrifty that I am, I was tempted to get the euro version of the economy vehicle, and I can tell you that some golf carts seem bigger. Being the American I am, I thought we need something bigger = more safe = in additon to being able to haul more crap than we really need. At first glance, the car was a midsize vehicle, Similar but a little larger than a Honda accord. If you would of seen Rubens reaction, you would of thought he was about to drive a racing school bus. “Wowww, wow, wowwwww, wow, wow”….then something in Spanish. He walked up and down the car, and kept pointing to it and saying, this is a good car. It got better. As he entered the driver’s side, (on the second try only because for some reason the drivers side is where the passenger side is in Europe and the US) sat down, started to play with all the buttons, his eyes were big, he was giggling, kept-on and-on- in Spanish. This car, not practical or necessary for a man like Ruben, was a treat on his holiday and he made me take lots of pictures so he could show his friends back home. He was happy with something so simple in my mind…It made me happy.
I volunteered not to drive at all. #1. I have not driven a stick shift in a few years #2 I still have not mastered the round-about 3# I do not think I could get over my instinct to drive on the right side of the road (this was evident as I rode my bicycle and could not stay off the right side of the road) #4. I need to get work done and driving in the car is the perfect time to read and work on the lap top. #5. I am a pretty scary driver when there is traffic, because I have lived out of a city for too long.


We head back to Liz’s house for the night, to eat her homemade curry, drink, get the bikes ready, and visit. Yes, getting the bikes ready was an adventure. You see Liz has clip peddles and Ruban has no bike shoes, so we opted to place flat peddles on the bike. Try..to place the flat peddles on the bike. One was stuck. We all tried to get it off with evey tool imaginable. Liz suggested we take it to the bike shop; so we did. As we entered this little village bike shop, a old Scotish man…old hand shaking, hunch back man greeted us. I looked at Ruben, I smiled, he smiled and the both started to laugh, We both knew that this man was not going to be able to get the peddle off. He did not, and I felt guilty even watching him fumble around looking like he was goging to have a heart attach any momenet if he exerted any more effort into getting the peddle off. Luckily the old man had a extra crank; so Ruben’s ride got a new crank and peddle.
As we head north to the Isle of Skye, we both became accustomed with Scottish roads. Little, little roads. At some pint they even become one lane with areas to pull over to let the upcoming car pass. I decided that due to my nerves while being a passenger, I should look down, and stay distracted as we wind up and down the highlands, around the most beautiful scenery. I was only aware of the beauty when Ruben began to speak in Spanish how beautiful everything was, or he yelled and pointed, “Take a Picture…It is the most Beauty!”. He went on an on about the beauty.. It almost seemed that his excitement to be in this foreign land, was double more than mine. I smile because I know this excitement extends partly from the Spanish culture to be expressive, and partly Ruben and his ability to know what to say at the moment….how he feels, even if it is in broken English. So I was alerted when we came upon the green rock mountains, bare of all trees, land christened with the most vibrant colorful flora, and surrounded by locks. All of this, with typical Scottish cottages, fishing boats docked at the ports is what I saw if I dared to look up. The bicycle ride that evening before the sun disappeared behind the highlands, just to get on our bikes for the first time, was the ample opportunity to absorb all that I missed because my face was in the computer.
So Look up sometimes with open eyes and you will be amazed.


Cheers,
Katelyn

Off to Scotland

I leave italy today. I hate to leave, I really love it here. I try to decided if I love Italy better than spain. I stop after a few minutes, I will never have a resolution. Different beauty, different food, different people, different attitude...similar compared to many other european countries, but different enough to love different aspects of each one.

I am nervous... Nervous is the word. I cannot believe I am saying this. I am off to scotland to visit Liz and plan cycling tours for next year. I have placed alot of pressure on myself, and I should. Without pressure, I would not get anything done. I do not want to fail, this is my dream.

I am also nervous because it is the first time in my life I will have a traveling companion for about 2 weeks. Not even my ex-husband and I traveled this long together. Not only a traveling companion, but one that does not speak very good english, a person that I have really only spent about 3 weeks of my life with, and one that does not really ride bicycles; yet is comming along for the long haul as I scale the mountains of the highlands. Yep Ruben has holidays in September and always wanted to see scotland, so why not. He is truly a beautiful person that brings a calm to me, always happy, positive, and has a spirit that is pure. His perspective on life is one of the Mediterranean lifestyle. Opposite of the US set of mind that consumed me at one point of my life, truly made me miserable and engulfed me that I did not even know I was unhappy. He is truly my teacher, I do not think he even knows it. He talks a lot and I listen to his views of life. I told him he is a very intelligent man, he looked at me and laughed.

(Scotish Face)

Yes, not by the traditional since we are accustomed to, no higher education, or high powered job, not a master of the arts, a scholar; he is a man that is a conisour of the spanish hip hop culture, gets paid to work with his hands, but yet is so in tune with his self that the words that come out of his mouth has changed me and made this soon to be doctor become more educated and aware about her life as a human being. I am learning to have a special awareness of myself as a person in the game of life. Yes Ruben will be my friend forever, we promised that one day our children. will play. together. So as I land in scotland, I will have 2 of my most favorite people waiting for me and yes definitely I am in store for an adventure.