Epcot

Friday, July 27th, Mark and I went to Orlando.  We went first to the temple-he to help with baptisms for the dead for another ward and me to do an endowment session.

I was so grateful for this opportunity because when we were there a couple of weeks ago, my mind had been so preoccupied I wasn't paying attention and felt badly about that.  This was an opportunity to make up for that time.  It was a good experience.

We had decided that since we were coming to the temple that we would stay over and go to Epcot.  We were actually able to spend the evening there after going to our motel and changing.

It's been about 25 years since we've been there.  Naturally it's changed a lot!  So being there was like going for the first time.  There are actually two parts to Epcot.  The first is where that gi-normous golf-ball looking thing is.  It's all about innovations and progress, taking care of the earth and stuff like that.  It was neat and we enjoyed it.  That's where we spent most of our time.

The second part takes you through 11 or 12 different countries.  The buildings and areas around are built to look authentic to that part of the world.  Each person who works there is actually from the country.  Mark found out that Disney contracts with each individual to come over for a year.  Most spoke very good English.

Naturally there are gift shops at each place.  There are also restaurants or cafe's.  Most places have some kind of special presentation or ride that depicts that country.

Friday night we got over to see Canada.  There was a surround-view movie with Martin Short showing the beauties of Canada.  It's one of those that makes you feel that you're right there and it can make  you a bit queasy.  But it was enjoyable and very beautiful.

We stayed and watched the fireworks showing over the lake.  They were timed to music and  were amazing!

Saturday, we planned to spend the day going through all of the countries, but they didn't open until 11:00 so we went back to do some of the things we had missed the evening before.

Someone had told Mark we could get a passport and get it stamped at each of the countries so we bought one.  We thought that would be fun.  Like I said, the architecture is amazing and I loved learning about each of the countries.

With Donald in Mexico!

We had lunch in Norway-a sandwich with ham,cheese and apples, a combination I hadn't really thought of, but very good.  I enjoyed learning a bit about the Vikings and the Troll ride.

In Italy we each had a piece of chocolate with hazelnuts-delicious!

The fountain in Italy

Italian ears!

In China

Japan looking over the lake

 There was an amazing drummer group in Japan, two women and a man.  Wow!  What a workout!  We had a refreshing shaved ice in Japan.  I wish I could remember the name for it.  It hit the spot cause it was hot!

We enjoyed a beautiful a'cappella group in the United States and a wonderful, amazing production about America.  I felt so proud to be an American!

France

Mark next to the famous Spitting Gargoyle of Notre Dame.  Love this picture!

France

 I would have loved having an old fashioned English tea (herbal of course) with crumpets, cucumber sandwiches or biscuits (cookies), but we were running out of time.  Another time perhaps.  There was a band playing oldies from British bands from the 70's and 80's.

Had to take a picture with Tigger and Winnie the Pooh in England.  We're just big kids!

I got all of my countries stamped.  It was fun talking to the young people who are here for a year.  I also got a huge woven bag in one of the Moroccan bazaars.  Love it.

The last thing we did before heading home was to ride the mono rail to the Magic Kingdom and back again. We'll be able to park-hop the next time we come.

Long drive home, but what a fun weekend!