Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Reveling in the adventure of ‘Long Way Up’
Series chronicles actor’s 13,000-mile motorcycle trek
EWAN McGregor has a rideor-die partner. His name is Charley Boorman, and the two aren’t content with the idea of a simple dude weekend away from their regular lives.
McGregor and Boorman spent a hunk of last year traveling 13,000 miles on rocky and impassable roads, in searing daylight or at night in a blizzard around Central and South America on electric Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
What could go wrong? “Battery failure, freezing conditions, snowstorms,” says McGregor, 49.
And forget about using any movie star mojo to fix problems or gather perks with the locals. In one town, the Scottish actor — known for playing Obi-Wan Kenobi — asked the local kids if they recognized him from the “Star Wars” franchise. “I looked into beautiful faces shaking their heads from side to side. They never heard of the movies,” McGregor says with a laugh.
The adventure is chronicled in the documentary series “Long Way Up,” which starts this weekend on Apple TV+.
Review-Journal: How do you complete a major motorcycle journey in the age of COVID-19? Ewan McGregor:
We got so lucky because we finished the trip late last year right before Christmas. Had we left any later, we’d probably be stuck somewhere right now because of travel restrictions. I do love that the series is coming out now, because perhaps in this age of COVID, you can at least travel vicariously with us. Why Central and South America? Charley and I have known each other about 25 years since we made a film together way back in the day called “Deception’s Kiss.” We both loved cycles and have done trips we’ve documented in London, New York, Scotland and South Africa. I’m the one who always wanted to travel to South America. I guess there is just this yearning for the road in places unknown that never leaves me.
So, your idea of an ideal Sunday is …
I’m out there, on a motorcycle, experiencing different ways of life. It’s the most fulfilling thing. It’s very good for the soul to remind yourself that we’re all human beings just having different experiences. Your sense of humanity is affirmed when you can see it for yourself.
What struck you about the people during this most recent journey?
We lead fortunate lives in America and Great Britain. We forget that many people don’t have the same priorities as we do or the same life. Also, there have been terrible things said about the people in South America. It was nice to be out there showing people that you can be in the right place at the right time with people different than you. We had nothing but good experiences.
Didn’t the locals also save your butts?
Definitely! We broke down near this tiny town and the locals came and got us. They didn’t know we were actors. We were just two travelers. They brought us to their home, sat us down and made us breakfast. That kind of generosity will stay with me forever.
Still, they had never heard of “Star Wars”?
(Laughs) People in these small villages are too busy getting on with life up in those mountains. There isn’t a multiplex to be found. This did make me laugh. I did say, “Well, I do these movies …” We travel like they don’t know who we are, and why should
they know us? These kids live on the top of a mountain in Peru. Their experience is so much different. They don’t have movies at all.
What do we take for granted in the U.S. that isn’t taken as lightly in these towns?
We watched kids and parents really help with and support their schools. The parents just wanted their children educated. Meanwhile, the kids sometimes had to walk five or six
hours home on a Friday after living at school all week. It was the only way, and they made that sacrifice in order to be educated.
What were the challenges of riding electric bikes?
We didn’t really think it through before we started. These bikes needed electricity to recharge. We had to learn how to manage the battery life of bikes. And then there were days that were so cold that the batteries
didn’t perform well. We just kept moving forward because at heart we are bloody optimists.
What was the biggest takeaway from this journey?
You must nurture your friendships. Take the time even if you’re a busy adult. We’re all busy. Call an old friend or, better yet, go out there and have a new adventure together when it’s safe. Get back in line with each other. You won’t regret it.
I’m out there, on a motorcycle, experiencing different ways of life. It’s the most fulfilling thing. It’s very good for the soul to remind yourself that we’re all human beings just having different experiences.
f there’s one constant this year, it’s change. With another school year comes even more change, but you can help your family make a smooth transition with some planning and preparation.
Allow time for adjustments. After months of later bedtimes and laidback schedules, kids and parents alike need a little time to adjust to a new mindset. Start gradually dialing back bedtime and scheduling time for educational activities and lunchtime a few weeks before school begins. This gives you plenty of time to work out any glitches while avoiding the resistance and disruption that more abrupt changes can bring.
Map out a visual guide. Especially after spending more time at home, having everyone headed in different directions may feel a bit overwhelming. This may be particularly true if your school model requires non-traditional scheduling or if you’re making a return to a more rigorous extracurricular activity schedule. For younger kids and those who learn better by seeing than hearing, a visual representation can help illustrate how schedules will be changing. Color coding by person or activity can help everyone understand who should be where and when.
Make evenings easier. A household with school-age kids is seemingly bustling all the time, but evenings are often especially busy with activities, homework and other commitments competing for attention. Gathering everyone around the table for a meal may be a challenge, so when you do succeed, give yourself permission to shave time where you can. For example, keeping disposable tableware on-hand lets you skip the cleanup on nights you don’t want to do dishes and spend more time assisting with science projects and cheering on athletic teams. Premium options like Chinet Classic White plates are strong enough for the heaviest, messiest meals so you don’t have to worry about spills and leaks.
Set a positive tone. Transitions happen more easily when the destination is exciting and appealing. Help kids get excited about a return to school by talking about what they’re looking forward to and offering reassurance about their concerns. Allow kids to put a personal touch on supplies they’ll be excited to use, such as a new backpack or headphones for online learning. Put simply, model positivity for students to mirror as they head into a new school year.
Spend family time together. At the end of each day, once everyone is done with school and work, make some time for a physical activity the whole family can participate in. Whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood to get some fresh air or a game of tag or soccer in the backyard, getting active together can be an easy way to spend time winding down and bonding.
Enjoy More Convenient Mornings
How you begin each day sets the tone for the hours that follow. Put yourself on course for a successful, stress-free day by eliminating hassles and introducing some tricks to make each morning as convenient as possible.
Find a routine that works:
Numerous parenting experts recommend routines for children, but they’re beneficial for grownups, too. A regular routine takes the guesswork out of what comes next so you can go through the motions of getting ready before your brain is fully engaged. There’s no perfect order for getting things done, just find what works best for your family.
Wake up prepared: Even the best routines sometimes go awry, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead and minimize the impact. Using the evening to ensure each student has everything he or she needs for the next school day eliminates a lot of commotion in the morning. Designate a place for school items, whether it’s a hook or spot by the door for backpacks or a cubby near the home school space. Use the same approach to select and lay out clothes for everyone before bed.
Rev up all your senses: Creating positive energy can be a wholebody experience. Add some upbeat music, throw open the blinds and get that coffee brewing. Signaling to your senses that it’s time to take on a new day can help you shake off any lingering drowsiness and shift into a more productive mode.
Take your java on the go: It’s not always realistic to sit and savor your first cup of coffee, but that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice your morning energy burst. Brew your cup and go with an option like the Chinet Comfort Cup insulated hot cup, which has double-layer insulation and an easy fit snap-andgo lid to make taking your coffee on the road (or around the block on a morning walk) convenient and comfortable.