Mall of America...3rd party kilting

[Urchurdan]

Hey Howard, my wife is from Des Moines, her Mother and Brother both live in the City. They are over on the eastside, it is a lovely City, I thoroughly enjoy visiting - it takes a wee while for folks to get the hang of my accent, but once they get used to it, I find that we have a lot in common.
I especially like to get out and visit the small Towns, this is the 'real' America, away from the glamour and glitz of the tourist routes.
The people are - as I said in my post, friendly and polite, and even the ones who have never heard about Scotland are keen to find out about my wee Country.
The kilt has enabled me to speak to people, who I otherwise might never have broke breath to, and as I hope they have learned something of interest from me, equally my own knowledge of America and its people has also grown and developed.

[macwilkin]

Hey Howard, my wife is from Des Moines, her Mother and Brother both live in the City. They are over on the eastside, it is a lovely City, I thoroughly enjoy visiting - it takes a wee while for folks to get the hang of my accent, but once they get used to it, I find that we have a lot in common.
I especially like to get out and visit the small Towns, this is the 'real' America, away from the glamour and glitz of the tourist routes.
The people are - as I said in my post, friendly and polite, and even the ones who have never heard about Scotland are keen to find out about my wee Country.
The kilt has enabled me to speak to people, who I otherwise might never have broke breath to, and as I hope they have learned something of interest from me, equally my own knowledge of America and its people has also grown and developed.

My Scottish ancestors immigrated to Iowa in the mid 19th century -- they lived in Knoxville for a number of years before moving to DSM and then into north centrl Iowa along modern-day I-35.

Like you, I absolutely love Iowa and her people -- Iowa is truly the heartland of America.

Todd

[Rex_Tremende]

I especially like to get out and visit the small Towns, this is the 'real' America, away from the glamour and glitz of the tourist routes.
The people are - as I said in my post, friendly and polite, and even the ones who have never heard about Scotland are keen to find out about my wee Country.

I find it a little troubling that there are people in the "real" America who haven't heard of Scotland. Nevertheless, it's a big country, and our glittering, gritty cities are as much a part of it as the small towns, exurbs, and rural expanses, just as our mountains are different from the canyons, the shores and deserts, forests and farms, there's something - and some place - for everyone.

Mall of America, Main Street, or Rodeo Drive - I think you'll find nice people everywhere.

Regards,
Rex.

[Urchurdan]

Sorry, I did not intend any inference that there are no nice people in big Towns/Cities, of course there are, but I am from a small village myself, and find some big Cities rather intimidating, this is down to the sheer scale of some of the cities, not the people in them. I am like a fish out of water in London for instance. The pace of life is so fast...
Anyway, I wonder if you would like to see a pic of me taken during my last trip, I am wearing a Lion Rampant kilt, I am a Scottish Monarchist, what would have been called in the old days a Jacobite I suppose..
I have also put in a pic of me and my Iowa lass both wearing the Ancient Urquhart tartan (Our Clan)... This is the first time I have tried to do this, apologies if I get it wrong...

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[Geoff Withnell]

I find it a little troubling that there are people in the "real" America who haven't heard of Scotland. Nevertheless, it's a big country, and our glittering, gritty cities are as much a part of it as the small towns, exurbs, and rural expanses, just as our mountains are different from the canyons, the shores and deserts, forests and farms, there's something - and some place - for everyone.

Mall of America, Main Street, or Rodeo Drive - I think you'll find nice people everywhere.

Regards,
Rex.

I don't think its that they have never "heard" of Scotland, meaning not knowing of its existance. Just never "heard about" Scotland. American idiom, indicating no real knowledge of what it's like.

Geoff Withnell

[macwilkin]

I find it a little troubling that there are people in the "real" America who haven't heard of Scotland. Nevertheless, it's a big country, and our glittering, gritty cities are as much a part of it as the small towns, exurbs, and rural expanses, just as our mountains are different from the canyons, the shores and deserts, forests and farms, there's something - and some place - for everyone.

Mall of America, Main Street, or Rodeo Drive - I think you'll find nice people everywhere.

Regards,
Rex.

One thing to keep in mind, Rex: Iowa's population is mostly German and Scandinavian. I've had to explain the various nuances of Highland attire to my Norwegian cousins during visits. It's not a matter of not having heard of Scotland, it's a matter of not being familiar with Scottish culture and customs. And all of the questions were genuine and sincere. They especially enjoyed my "Norwegian" Freelander Sporran!

Regards,

Todd