Kilted at the Gathering of Nations, Year Two

[Riverkilt]

Just back from my second trip to the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque.

Its a LONG drive for me -seven hours, 400 miles. Wore my Utilikilt brown leather over and back. No crease problems that way from all that sitting.

Wore my Cameron Black and Red handsewn to the Gathering itself. I don't recall having so many comments last year. But this year ALL of the comments were positive, or at least sincere questions.

I'm also a Z Coil shoe junkie and since my Flagstaff store closed I went to the flagship store in Albuquerque to buy two pair of Z Coils when I arrived in town Friday afternoon. No comment on the kilt. But at the Z Coil booth at the Gathering there were a bunch of ladies working. One remembered me from calling ahead. Then she looked at me and asked, "Are you wearing your kilt properly?" Coincidentaly, another lady standing right next to her took a very large bite of her hot dog on a stick. Cracked me up...finally composed myself and said, "Yes, I was wearing my kilt properly - but please don't ask me that question when the other lady is eating...." Then they got it and cracked up.

Saturday night my lady called The Rancher's Club at the Hilton to make reservations. We ain't rich, but we wanted to eat buffalo and they have it. While making the reservations they made it clear they had a strict dress code and what they called "business casual" was the least dressed they would serve. They defined that as men wearing a collared shirt. So then my lady asks, "What about a kilt?" That caused some pause, but they finally said no problem.

When we showed up for our reservations we got the royal treatment...we were given an excellent table in the section covered by the head Captain (their word for waiter), later, the head of food and beverage came over to chat. Turned out he also covers hotels here in Page, over in Chinle, and in Kayenta. So we talked about the best roads.

All the other comments were the usual ones we get all the time...but positive. One Native in full regalia pulled at my shirt from behind. When I turned around he asked seriously, "Aren't you hot?" I smiled and said, "No, its open at the bottom." He laughed.

I met a lovely, but 40 years younger than me, Cree lady working a booth. She said she was Scottish and of the Robertson clan. Told her what a beautiful tartan the Robertson was and all the things she could have it sewn into.

What struck me is that among the thousands of Natives in their colorful regalia even the Cameron black and red seemed tame. But folks notice and ask their questions anyway.

A great trip, lots of fun. I never thought I'd see the day when I'd sally forth for a weekend adventure and only take along two kilts to wear...and NO underwear...no "just in case" back up....I am too sold on the comfort of kilts for loooooong drives.

And hey, I did get one "pick up" line. The lady security guard at the gate said she'd go with me to my car to help me with the load of goodies I was taking out there...she gave me a big smile and suggestive wink.

Being kilted made being readmitted to the Gathering a lot easier. They didn't have stamps or wristbands. Gate guards had to remember me.

And, when I was looking for my car in the huge lot the first trip back a couple told me where it was. They'd been standing around talking but had "noticed" me when we first arrived. A small perk, but nice with a heavy load.

We stayed in downtown Albuquerque and this was some sort of pub crawl week. Friday night we walked to dinner and passed a very long line of grunge kids, all in black, waiting to get into some show. Line went around the block from the door. They're all hanging out in black and with spiked hair, and all the usual stuff...and this 62 year old fat guy in a leather kilt walks by standing tall and proud. My lady said she could hear their eyeballs click as I went past. Not one cat call, comment, or question.

KILTS ARE FUN TO WEAR!

Ron

[Splash_4]

Sounds like a good weekend Ron! It does make me miss being out there again!

[GMan]

I don't believe in Ron, I just got off the phone from a friend of mine who just returned from Albuquerque. Said he saw a guy there in a Kilt and described you as a long haired guy in a Kilt. I said I probably knew him, he said he doubted it, just have to show him it was you.

[Tattoo Bradley]

Sound's like a good adventure. Hope to make the games up there this year...

[Riverkilt]

It were me Gman....only guy kilted there that I saw Saturday from opening to afternoon....

Last year there was another kiltie, but didn't see anyone else this year.

Ron

[beowulf67]

Very cool story. Thanks for sharing.