Scooting by in Gotland
Gotland, Sweden Day 1
I heard about Gotland from mainland Sweden. Gotland is an island just off Stockholm and is a common vacation spot for Swedes in the winter to get away from the blistering snow up north. I decide to go off the map and take the suggestion.
Visby is a classic European town in a smaller form. Visby has a fortified preserved wall around the town with defense systems still in place from back in the medieval ages. There are authentic shops and diners along the streets that lead to St. Mary’s Cathedral ruins. The cobblestone streets made it a challenge to drag my bag up a steep hill without being noticed by the locals. The stares of distaste as I bump on by noisily and am watched with my every move. Finally arriving at the bus station to then make my way over to my AirBnb family out in Vange which is outside of the city by 45 minutes. Vange is a stark difference from Visby with its farmland and smelly cow-driven pastures. Although cute and quaint to a degree with straw homes.
On this beautiful day just after 14 o’clock, slightly sunny with a hint of sarcastic wind that threatens to be damn breezy and gets clear in minutes. Why not rent a car and head around the island? My hosts were saying the grand tour would take a couple of hours maximum and I would be able to walk the sandy beaches of Faro, a short ferry connected island to the north of mainland Gotland, and still be back by dark via car. Good plan. Although not all good plans work out. To my dismay there were no car rental organizations open this day. I did not have a phone with a data plan at this time so I had to rely on my spotty notes, which clearly were failing me.
Tip 1: Buy a separate notebook for journal entries and road notes. Make sure the journal one is fairly large, like 3 palms in area, especially if you’re a long-winded writer like myself. Schedule a time to write in your journal. For example, my journal entries were before bed or on the train the next day. Everything is fresher that way. Road notes are for directions, quick names, and brief thoughts that are on the spot. Be sure not to scribble your notes out of excitement or wanting to move on. You’ll be lost like I was walking in a literal circle, European cities tend to have a circular city building plan like Amsterdam, for 30 minutes seeking an open rental car place.
Finding Scooter McGavin
Until I found one. The only rental spot on the island that might be open. In Europe, there are few “We are open signs” as in the United States which are in every store window. Was I missing something because I am a like small child looking at everything simply missing the translation? I walk in chipper with a nervous hello and check to be sure they are still open. Indeed they are! I blurt out an excellent all giddy and excited. Do you’ll have any vehicles available? Only a large van that costs $60 per day. Yikes! We do have a moped scooter though if you’d like to rent that. I hesitated thinking back to my other experiences with two-wheeled objects.
I will always remember the summer of 2007 when the Olympics were going and I wanted to get beefy to the point where I could push a heavy door open with one finger. I went from riding my bike zero miles to stubbornly riding 8 miles to the town nearby on a casual grocery hunt. Driving the 8 miles in-car doesn’t seem like much, and on a two-wheeled squeaky chain bike, the miles feel like an eternity, especially on the way back home. Optimistically, the out-of-shape guy had to continue the trend the next day except for a meager 4 miles instead. This decision bit me right in the butt… As I rode over a railroad track my front tire got stuck between the tracks causing me to abruptly crash down hard dislocating my shoulder. Somebody shouts “Hey you okay” from a passing car. Annoyed and pissed I yell back “Yeah I am good.” Embarrassed and ashamed of my poor riding skills not evening paying focus to my dangling lip noodle-like shoulder. I did not notice how protruding my shoulder was until I came to a stop at my destination half a mile away and tried reaching into my pocket for my phone. Nope… not happening. Shit, I thought to myself. I tried to awkwardly coordinate the left hand to find its way to the right front pocket. Just like beginning to ride a bike, it took a couple of shots to finally reach in for my phone. Bring bring… Called up my mother and said, “I have trouble.” We went to the emergency room and got the shoulder replaced but not my ego. I told myself I would never ride a bike again even to simply teach my maybe future children how to ride. They’d have to do it on their own while I cheered from the sidelines.
Tip 2 – Riding bikes can be scary. No wonder children are afraid.
This was why the stuttering, mind blank, tongue catch came when asked if I wanted to rent the moped Scooter McGavin my naming based off of Happy Gilmore and Shooter McGavin. “I have *cotton mouth* never ridden.” They looked back at me just as shocked as my face. Riding scooters was a way of life on the island and everyone had one they said. There was little car traffic and was “safe”. Oh, the safe word. Real calming. This thing had power and I could easily be run over if I did something stupid. The helmet and gloves that came with it could not protect my whole body. I would need to be bubble wrapped to have a chance. They never offered bubble wrap. Being great salespeople, they encouraged me and I gave what the heck nod the one where you are saying sure and body language says no. Brain won this battle. It was for the adventure, right? Me and Scooter McGavin. I rented him for two days. How can something crappy happen twice in a row on a two-wheeled object?
Surprise it did. The crap started hitting the fan when I tried to lift the bike off the kickstand. I nearly lost my grip and balance. I waved the lady over and asked for help. She went through the gears and gizmos like a flight attendant having said the same spiel a million times. Definitely did not hear everything, but she was gone by the time I opened my mouth. I revved myself up inside my head. “It’s all about the adventure I reminded myself.” Got it going after 3 shots and we were off. Quick layout for you’ll. The building is on the right and the harbor with the small barrier is on the left. At the end of a building was a parked ship and what seemed to be a tight right turn. Goal don’t go in the water. I’m off! Accelerating and preparing for the corner like a man playing Mario Cart. The wheel is turning right slower than expected. Although I’m not turning anywhere. Getting closer and closer to the ship. My body goes into instinct mode to brace myself as things slow down. Is that adrenaline? Bang Bang. Ouch! I look down in a trance at the scooter which took major scratches on the front end. Then I notice my left wrist is bleeding profusely from trying to push the scooter off the ship. Although, I only yelled once not wanting to alert the rental place, and have people come out pointing fingers while laughing at the stupid American. I quickly looked around foolishly to make sure nobody. I think I am in the clear as I dart out of there more cautiously on the scooter not looking back.
“You dumb-ass.” Now you’re going to have to pay $250 para the rental agreement.” “You did not even make it out of the parking lot.”
I beat myself up mentally for what seemed to be an hour while letting my mental and physical wounds air out. Boy, this trip was going to be fun… I took the beating this round.
Tip 3: Scooters have a worse turning radius than a car. Scooters can be scary. Try scootering.
Practice, Serenity, Big Trucks
Driving a scooter was still a challenge. Quite possibly just for me. Let me tell you. Coordinating the speed to get around corners without accidentally hitting the dinky horn. I was driving poorly and was definitely going to need bubble wrap to continue meaning it was time to practice before I hit anyone.
I found an empty lot and started doing donuts. Not the cool ones pulsing out of skid marks from my tires smoking. Instead, slow methodical granny-style turns with baby acceleration. Horn is still accidentally being pressed due to my large thumbs. I practiced this until I thought I was “safe” Oh the safe word again. Will I be safe?
Tip 4: Bad things happen for a reason. Bad things are present for you to overcome, learn, and move on with the adventure. How do you get out of kicking yourself or having someone else kick you?
Practicing driving Scooter McGavin was the action that I took to move on. I was now ready to lift off to Faro Island. As I drove up the small highway I started to forget my errors and relax enjoying the moment. My shoulders dropped as I felt the cool ocean breeze and passed pined trees, voluptuous greens, and small gas-filling units reminding me people had been here before.
Then it happened. The first big truck passed me. Damn, this was scary. I thought the trailer was going to swing back and hit me. Luckily, I was riding the right white line and going 25 mph while the truck easily had to be going 40 mph. He flashed right around me without a worry. It was weird to feel so small and insignificant. In fact, it was humbling. I feel much bigger driving a car than a scooter and not just based on sheer power size. It’s difficult to describe nearly being crushed because theirs no slow lane, only a ditch to the right. I waved the trucker on and escaped being blown off the bike. We were on it again. Just me and Scooter McGavin.
Questions time!
- Tell me about a time you crashed a rental vehicle.
- What is a moment you thought all bad was going to happen and then things changed to become better?
- Your most inspiring character from a movie or TV and why?