Yesterday was World Outlander Day marking the date of publication of the first book in this saga of war, history, politics, culture, family and love. I don’t like things. I am either indifferent or totally obsessed. Seeing people’s posts about this day and the friends and travel experiences being part of this fandom has brought them inspired this blog today.
I think fandom speaks to me as introvert for several reasons. First, it’s an instant ice breaker. I don’t have to search through small talk for something in common. You get to know people virtually, and there is a community that embraces you, and it has encouraged my creative outlets through sewing costume replicas and finding comfort and relaxation in knitting. It has also brought me some of my most treasured travel memories to places that I had overlooked but that quickly became homes where my batteries and soul are recharged.
When I studied abroad, I was a completely snobby towards any country that spoke English. At best, these places were a slightly more sophisticated version of my own culture I thought. I might have been convinced to travel to Ireland, but while studying in Germany in the late 80s, that might as well have been back in the US for as far away as it was. I had no desire to travel to London and Scotland didn’t even figure in my thoughts. Enter the tv show Outlander.
Scotland is very much a main character of the series. The story isn’t possible without the rich intrigue and drama of the country’s history, culture, and politics. The landscapes so brilliantly photographed in the series surpass the best tourism campaign. I traveled to Scotland the first time because of the series. I have returned, even feel compelled to take a yearly pilgrimage as long as I am able, because my restless soul feels at peace there. There is no hyperbole in that statement. My must sees on that first trip did include many filming locations and I had to get the iconic Instagramable shots there, but in the course of our visit, the history and stories we learned stories at these sites entwined me to the country.
Likewise, the Olympic Peninsula where I traveled as a Twilight fan. I would never have known about its uniqueness if not for that series. I brought two of my sons, who were nearly teens at the time, on that first trip, and as the best endorsement of a destination imaginable, my tv addicted son, upon learning that our room at the hotel on the Quileute reservation of La Push did not have a tv, exclaimed that with this view of the Pacific, who needs a tv! It might have helped that he was getting curious stares from women and girls of all ages who kept telling him he looked like Taylor Lautner, the actor who played Jacob Black. The Olympic Peninsula offers so many outdoor adventures that we had to come back the following year to go kayaking and take part in the Quileute Heritage Days, learning about their traditional crafts and games and getting to discuss the issues facing the Quileute youth of the tribe with an elder and comparing it to the issues facing Bedouin. An impromptu stop at the first café we found after kayaking because we were starving made me realize the importance of throwing away the guidebook and social media recommendation and allowing for chance. Grannie’s Café was filled with antique kitchen utensils and really great burgers.
For the truly obsessed, ahem, there are conventions and travel to cities you might not have chosen as a destination. There’s always an opportunity to discover something new. The con I went to was in New Orleans, where I had long wanted to travel. I wish I had booked a longer trip there because it is an onion- layers of history and mystery- with a culture like none I have yet experienced. The friendships and reunions celebrated there keep me coming back to these conventions. Where else do you pull together Americans from three different corners of the country and Israelis together into one room and fall apart in laughter as they help lace you into the 18th century costume you sewed as the first garment you’ve attempted in a quarter century? The laughter and warmth are necessary to sustain all through long waits so that actually getting a photo with the stars is almost an afterthought. I can’t describe the anticipation swelling now as I look forward to new adventures and seeing so many fellow fan friends this summer in Glasgow.
On my last trip to Scotland, I decided on a tour to the Borders region because it featured a stop at Alnwick Castle, which played parts of Hogwarts in the first few Harry Potter films and featured in Downtown Abbey too. And yes, I took broomstick flying lessons with a crowd of kids and parents. It was an absolute blast being absolutely silly and getting magical photos.
The motivation to travel to a specific destination can come from anywhere, but traveling somewhere because your favorite story, film or tv show was set or filmed there, opens up a world of experiences and the rare chance to plan travel that isn’t based on a Top 10 places in list. Wherever you are traveling, there is probably a film location on the way or near by. Even if you are just a casual fan of something, add a stop connected to the film or book and be a part of its magic.
Ice and Wash Cloths 