10 Days in October: Argle-Bargle or Foofarah? UPDATED: POSTS #984 & 995!!!

[oybolshoi]

Wednesday, October 25th - In Which Jay and Brenda Make a Break for Freedom...Again

Seemed like the nice thing to do once we were finished having fun on Tower of Terror was for me to play the role of dutiful daughter and hang out with Grimace while the boys took a ride on the Rock'n'Roller Coaster. I can do this... as long as it doesn't require a lot of effort; I do not have enough patience or good humor to hang with my mother for extended periods of time at a theme park. Have I mentioned before that I'm just not a very nice person? Some day I'll tell you all about Grimace's mom and how I inherited her mean streak - always worse for skipping a generation - but I think I may actually have to do that in book form. Look for my as yet unwritten family history Too Many Skeletons for One Closet, So I Torched the House coming soon to a store near you! **

**Not a guarantee**

There we were, mother and daughter, standing near the entrance to some stage show in MGM while Jon and Jason practically skipped away, taking all the fun with them. It was a lovely day and the crowds were light and what on earth were the two of us going to do???

Feeling desperate I channeled my inner Ralph Wiggum, turned to her, and asked, "So, do you like ... stuff?"

She gave me a withering look. "I like to gamble but since I can't do that here I'm trying to find souvenirs to take home to my friends."

"You have friends?"



OK, OK ... enough laughter at Grimmie's expense. She has friends and they like to gamble and none of them work at McDonald's. The problem with her trying to find souvenirs to take home to a bunch of 60-something ladies is that unless she was willing to spend a small fortune on gifts for them it looked like she was going to have choose between various Mickey antenna toppers or Disney trading pins. We wandered in and out of the stores along Sunset Boulevard, which was fun because I've never really shopped at MGM - unless you count buying stuff in the Star Tours pit at the end of that ride.

I actually found something that I thought was the perfect solution to her problem. There is a store right on the corner of Sunset Boulevard that sells a bunch of Christmas stuff - ornaments, collectibles, breakables - and they had a set of six hand-blown glass Mickey-head ornaments, each one a different color / design, for only $24. Now, I did not major in math in college but I'm pretty sure that works out to something like $4 per ornament before taxes. If that's not a barg-didley-argain, especially at Disney, then I don't know what is. And, she actually was trying to find gifts for six ladies. Perfect!

Grimace's first response: "I don't want to carry anything around with me today."

"You don't have to carry it around. While you're making your purchase just tell the CM that you want it sent back to the resort. We can pick it up tomorrow from the gift shop in the Beach Club lobby. Isn't staying on property great?"

Grimace's second response: "I don't want to have to worry about picking something up at the hotel; I might forget."

"Jay and I have stuff we still need to pick up; we can get it for you."

Grimace's third response: "I'm not ready to buy anything yet and I don't think I want to spend that much."

By this time I wasn't sure if she was winding me up or if she was being serious - Grimace can be tricky that way. I offered one last idea. "Maybe you can just take all the cardboard DVC coasters from the room and give those out as gifts once we get home."

That batch of sarcasm pretty well stopped the conversation in its tracks and left me thinking of a quote from Mark Twain: "I have found that there is no surer way to find out whether you love or hate someone than to travel with them."

I've decided that I love my mom but I hate traveling with Grimace, although she does provide some pretty entertaining moments.

For those of you wondering what Grimace ended up doing for her friends ... she bought a six-pack of Disney pens and some note pads: one pen and one note pad per friend. End result - more gambling money for her!!!

Jay and I stuck it out at MGM with the parents for another two hours, riding The Great Movie Ride (great for a nap!) and taking in Muppet Vision. We love the Muppets but I think the film needs a makeover ... it's looking a little tired and the 3D effects didn't seem to be working very well. And Grimace hated every moment of it. She's usually a fan of the Muppet Show so I don't know what her problem was and by this point I didn't care.

Jay and I were both ready to bolt, so we told the parental unit that we wanted to go back to the hotel and get some pool time in since it had been too cold the day before. If there's anything guaranteed to provide "free-time" when vacationing with my parents it is the mention of the pool. We left them shopping for Muppet-stuff, said we'd see them back at the room around 6PM, and made a bee-line for the park exit before they could change their minds.

Once we were seated on the Friendship headed for the Yacht and Beach Club Jason and I decided to celebrate our escape with the adding of toppings to ice cream. We'd been wanting to eat at Beaches and Cream for a couple of years but could never seem to squeeze it in during a visit. Finally... a window of opportunity!

We arrived about 2:30PM but I took these first two pictures right as we were leaving... isn't Beaches and Cream a cute little place?

I'll take one of everything, and don't skimp on the pate'

I ordered the Milky Way Sundae: bundt cake topped with three scoops of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, butterscotch, whipped cream and a cherry.

Bye-bye bikini

It looks like my sundae came with a giant lady bug embedded in the whipped cream, doesn't it? That's just the decorative "beach ball" on the ledge behind Jay, but it still looks pretty funny. As for the sundae... it was quite tasty but way too much for me to eat all by myself, especially when I was trying to sample some of Jay's dessert too.

He ordered the No Way Jose: a peanut butter and hot fudge delight with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, peanut butter and chocolate morsels, whipped cream and a cherry.

Best dessert ever

This was by far the best ice cream dessert we had all week - hands down it deserves every bit of hype you may have ever read here on the DIS. It was creamy and chocolatey and smooth and definitely a delight! Try one - if you like peanut butter and chocolate odds are you are going to love this dessert!

On the way back to the room we found a teeny tiny little Mickey Mouse perched on a ledge along the breezeway. We assumed that someone must have been playing a game like find the "hidden" Mickey, but couldn't resist stopping for a quick picture.

Out of the way, cretin; I'm in charge now

coming soon ... how we ate dinner around the world showcase and didn't watch the World Series at ESPN while not eating a tuna pita and how Grimace got her smile back.

Thanks for reading!

 

[Karen Mouse]

Oh I love the great movie ride- the end bit with all the movie clips is just fab

Loving the planky pictures

Grimace gets her smile back in the next episode?- ooooohhhh! - type quicker - cant wait to read

 

[WDW Fan]

You have the patience of a saint Brenda!!! Your mom can really try one's patience it sounds like. I thought the christmas ornament sounded like a great idea - I just might use it when I go to WDW in December! The ice cream pics look delicious. Can't wait for more.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I have finally trained my mom- now when she gambles, part of the winnings go towards my Disney trip. In excange, I no longer make fun of her. As much.

She called me from the casino near Joplin the other day- "I just won $500!"

"Do it again! I need airfare!"

I am glad to see from your photos that your leg has grown back! Hooray!

And bonus points for quoting Ralph!

 

[CampbellScot]

I inherited a mean streak too...but it was Southern Lady mannered right out of me!

it resurfaces from time to time...in fits of rage and violence.

I'm a super fun girl to hang out with!

LOVED THE CHAPTER!!!!

can't wait for more!!

 

[nts4wdw]

I think we sat at that same booth! Just looking at those desserts made my mouth water! we tried the Kitchen Sink and it was so awesome (and we were so sick!)
Our mothers are remarkably similar, except my mother can be just like yours was that day OR a barrel of laughs. And just like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get.
Another great installment. It's good to hear from you.

 

[whogirl'smom]

Hooray for ice cream!!! It can solve most any dilemma! I'm so glad you're back and that next we're going to World Showcase--my favorite!!! In just 3 weeks we'll be there! So, I'm confused about Grimace getting her smile back; I think the only one I remember was in your wedding picture??? Poor Grimmie (poor Brenda, too, at MGM that day...)
So, did you get the picture of John and Jay on RNRC?

 

[disgrits]

Great post and pics, Brenda! I finally had a few moments to catch up on the TR, and another entertaining read, it was! Love the little tease at the end about Grimmie getting her smile back--

 

[BriarRosie]

Wednesday, October 25th - In Which Jay and Brenda Make a Break for Freedom...Again

Seemed like the nice thing to do once we were finished having fun on Tower of Terror was for me to play the role of dutiful daughter and hang out with Grimace while the boys took a ride on the Rock'n'Roller Coaster. I can do this... as long as it doesn't require a lot of effort; I do not have enough patience or good humor to hang with my mother for extended periods of time at a theme park. Have I mentioned before that I'm just not a very nice person? Some day I'll tell you all about Grimace's mom and how I inherited her mean streak - always worse for skipping a generation - but I think I may actually have to do that in book form. Look for my as yet unwritten family history Too Many Skeletons for One Closet, So I Torched the House coming soon to a store near you! **

Here I go again, another installment for me to snark on!
You may laugh now, but I will have my own Mom (with extra baggage in the
form of my sister) to travel with (luckily for only the last 4 days...testing the
waters, so to speak.) I am being optimistic, because I haven't gone on
vacation with her since I was a minor. I did threaten to abandon my Trio to
their own devices if necessary.

There we were, mother and daughter, standing near the entrance to some stage show in MGM while Jon and Jason practically skipped away, taking all the fun with them. It was a lovely day and the crowds were light and what on earth were the two of us going to do???

Feeling desperate I channeled my inner Ralph Wiggum, turned to her, and asked, "So, do you like ... stuff?"

She gave me a withering look. "I like to gamble but since I can't do that here I'm trying to find souvenirs to take home to my friends."

"You have friends?"

Girlie, you are evil!

I actually found something that I thought was the perfect solution to her problem. There is a store right on the corner of Sunset Boulevard that sells a bunch of Christmas stuff - ornaments, collectibles, breakables - and they had a set of six hand-blown glass Mickey-head ornaments, each one a different color / design, for only $24. Now, I did not major in math in college but I'm pretty sure that works out to something like $4 per ornament before taxes. If that's not a barg-didley-argain, especially at Disney, then I don't know what is. And, she actually was trying to find gifts for six ladies. Perfect!

Grimace's first response: "I don't want to carry anything around with me today."

"You don't have to carry it around. While you're making your purchase just tell the CM that you want it sent back to the resort. We can pick it up tomorrow from the gift shop in the Beach Club lobby. Isn't staying on property great?"

Grimace's second response: "I don't want to have to worry about picking something up at the hotel; I might forget."

"Jay and I have stuff we still need to pick up; we can get it for you."

Grimace's third response: "I'm not ready to buy anything yet and I don't think I want to spend that much."

By this time I wasn't sure if she was winding me up or if she was being serious - Grimace can be tricky that way. I offered one last idea. "Maybe you can just take all the cardboard DVC coasters from the room and give those out as gifts once we get home."

That batch of sarcasm pretty well stopped the conversation in its tracks and left me thinking of a quote from Mark Twain: "I have found that there is no surer way to find out whether you love or hate someone than to travel with them."

I've decided that I love my mom but I hate traveling with Grimace, although she does provide some pretty entertaining moments.

You know what would drive me crazy about that situation? That she never
would come out and tell you she didn't want to buy the ornaments! I can't
stand hearing lame excuses. I'd rather just hear, "I don't want to buy those
for my friends."

For those of you wondering what Grimace ended up doing for her friends ... she bought a six-pack of Disney pens and some note pads: one pen and one note pad per friend. End result - more gambling money for her!!!

And the truth is revealed.

Jay and I were both ready to bolt, so we told the parental unit that we wanted to go back to the hotel and get some pool time in since it had been too cold the day before. If there's anything guaranteed to provide "free-time" when vacationing with my parents it is the mention of the pool. We left them shopping for Muppet-stuff, said we'd see them back at the room around 6PM, and made a bee-line for the park exit before they could change their minds.

Run, Forrest, Run!!

Once we were seated on the Friendship headed for the Yacht and Beach Club Jason and I decided to celebrate our escape with the adding of toppings to ice cream. We'd been wanting to eat at Beaches and Cream for a couple of years but could never seem to squeeze it in during a visit. Finally... a window of opportunity!

We arrived about 2:30PM but I took these first two pictures right as we were leaving... isn't Beaches and Cream a cute little place?

I have never seen it so empty. You hit it at a good time of the day! I really
love Beaches and Cream. The only problem is that if you want a burger, you
won't have room for the ice cream. I solved that problem once by having
the sundae for my meal.

I'll take one of everything, and don't skimp on the pate'

You know, every time I see the back of the menu, my mind goes right into
the gutter!

Bye-bye bikini

It looks like my sundae came with a giant lady bug embedded in the whipped cream, doesn't it? That's just the decorative "beach ball" on the ledge behind Jay, but it still looks pretty funny. As for the sundae... it was quite tasty but way too much for me to eat all by myself, especially when I was trying to sample some of Jay's dessert too.

I'm so glad you said something about the scary alien ladybug.
First plants grow out of Jay's head, now this. You have a knack for taking
interesting photos.

Best dessert ever

This was by far the best ice cream dessert we had all week - hands down it deserves every bit of hype you may have ever read here on the DIS. It was creamy and chocolatey and smooth and definitely a delight! Try one - if you like peanut butter and chocolate odds are you are going to love this dessert!

Now we're talking! The No Way José is probably one of the best meals one
can have at WDW.

On the way back to the room we found a teeny tiny little Mickey Mouse perched on a ledge along the breezeway. We assumed that someone must have been playing a game like find the "hidden" Mickey, but couldn't resist stopping for a quick picture.

Out of the way, cretin; I'm in charge now

Haha!! It looks like that's the aftermath of Plankie beating the stuffing out
of Mickey, who then curled up into a fetal position begging for mercy. I do
paint a pretty picture, no?

coming soon ... how we ate dinner around the world showcase and didn't watch the World Series at ESPN while not eating a tuna pita and how Grimace got her smile back.

Thanks for reading!

Liar liar pants on fire!! Grimace doesn't know how to smile!

 

[zweihund]

Brenda,

Thank you for reminding me that we need to go back to Beaches and Cream. Oh, and the update was very nice as well. I love the grimmy-isms.

 

[travelmel]

I have been reading this TR for a week and I love it. Because I am a latecomer, I even started a Word Doc to remember your funniest lines and comment on them! Unfortunately, I think my machine froze up whilest reading and I lost it

I LOVE it when people actually make me laugh out loud! Thank you so much.

I do think you would get a better bang for your buck inviting me and my DH in place of your Grimmie and Jon. But, you have your reasons, I'm sure.




Ok, now the reason for my de-lurk and post situation. You have inspired me. I usually keep ONE bottle of alcohol in my kitchen and work on it for maybe 4-8 months before buying another. Today, thanks to you, I bought THREE bottles of alcohol because I couldn't take it anymore! Those drinks you make sound SO lucious! My favorite drinks revolve around pina coladas or amaretto and you are RIGHT up my alley. I bought Amarula, butterscotch schnaps, and a bottle of vanilla vodka as I could not find Vanilla royale ..whatever that is. *SIGH* I have no idea if they will go together. They sort of kind of make up a slippery nibble (as my DD's would say... about the body part, not the cocktail). I tried not to rembember the amarula cocktail ingredients when I read them cause I figured it would be good and so I shouldn't buy them! BUT I DID. I'm weak. AND I'M HAPPY! After the DD's go to bed (the kids, not the body parts) I'm going to be in slippery amarula nibble heaven!

Thank you, Brenda.
Yours Truely,
Melissa
P.S. I'm only on page fifty something.... but I had to stop and post. Now, back to the program already in progress.

 

[cntkg1]

What did Plankton order at Beaches?

Great update B. Looking forward to more.

 

[zweihund]

I have been reading this TR for a week and I love it. Because I am a latecomer, I even started a Word Doc to remember your funniest lines and comment on them! Unfortunately, I think my machine froze up whilest reading and I lost it

I LOVE it when people actually make me laugh out loud! Thank you so much.

I do think you would get a better bang for your buck inviting me and my DH in place of your Grimmie and Jon. But, you have your reasons, I'm sure.




Ok, now the reason for my de-lurk and post situation. You have inspired me. I usually keep ONE bottle of alcohol in my kitchen and work on it for maybe 4-8 months before buying another. Today, thanks to you, I bought THREE bottles of alcohol because I couldn't take it anymore! Those drinks you make sound SO lucious! My favorite drinks revolve around pina coladas or amaretto and you are RIGHT up my alley. I bought Amarula, butterscotch schnaps, and a bottle of vanilla vodka as I could not find Vanilla royale ..whatever that is. *SIGH* I have no idea if they will go together. They sort of kind of make up a slippery nibble (as my DD's would say... about the body part, not the cocktail). I tried not to rembember the amarula cocktail ingredients when I read them cause I figured it would be good and so I shouldn't buy them! BUT I DID. I'm weak. AND I'M HAPPY! After the DD's go to bed (the kids, not the body parts) I'm going to be in slippery amarula nibble heaven!

Thank you, Brenda.
Yours Truely,
Melissa
P.S. I'm only on page fifty something.... but I had to stop and post. Now, back to the program already in progress.

That's our Brenda.....an inspiration to aspiring lushes everywhere! Including me

 

[travelmel]

:

Brenda,
I know you don't know me from Adam but of course after reading your TR's I know you. Darn it, I do. Ok, I don't but still. My friend from the TGMike boards posted and I think you would really like her TR. I would say LOVE but she has kids and I'm not sure if people wihtout kids will snort their beverage as many times as I did reading it my first time.

This woman has talent! I read the entire TR to my DH and he also loved it (and he thinks I'm slightly nutty in a "I love and support your nuttiness plus I get to watch football this year for the first time we've been married due to the fact that usually you don't let me but this year you're addicted to WDW and don't care what I do" kind of way. I love that guy.

Ok... anyway, if you want a GOOD TIME CALL
.
.
.
.
.
.
Our first of many...
kimmac1
.
.
.
.
Ok, that's the name of the TR and the second line is her screen name. Some of the references are distinctly Tour Guide Mike induced, but still... this is good stuff. I GUAR-AN-TEE it.

Have fun!
Melissa

PS Would you care for some ooooooooooovaltine? no!! I'm a little tired!! Then I shall say GOODNIGHT! (name that cult classic!)

 

[oybolshoi]

I will respond more fully later this evening... if my job doesn't give me a terminal stroke this afternoon.

BUT ... I do believe the movie that our newest poster is referring to in her PS is ...


Young Frankenstein


I love that movie!

 

[oybolshoi]

Wednesday, October 25th - Now This Is a Vacation!!!

I hope to leave you all laughing tonight ... or spewing ... or choking ... or gagging ... whatever involuntary reflex action you feel most comfortable with when reading about our trip is the reflex action I feel most comfortable with when typing. For it is all about you my dear readers, except when work and travel and illness and random lifetime stuff get in the way.

Yes, you guessed right! I've been drinking with my dinner tonight. Mmmmm ... who knew that Irish whiskey and take-out pizza went so well together? These are the things that a career in banking and a lack of beer will drive you to some day, so consider yourselves warned.

So where were we?

That's right ... Beaches and Cream. We did the only sane thing we could possibly do after eating all of that ice cream - we put on our fashionable Midwest swimwear and went to the pool for a nap! I've probably mentioned before that we usually spend our time at the BCV "quiet" pool ... it's really not very quiet any longer when there are dozens of urchins running around. And, mom and dad ... are you still here? Although the sign reads that children are not allowed in the hot tub without adult supervision, I am not the adult the makers of that sign had in mind. Please come boil in the hot tub with your kids and me or else herd them back into the pool where they belong. But please don't expect me to watch them for you just because I'm already here.

'Nuff said?

Thanks.

Sometimes I think Jay and I have been spoiled by cruising ... adults only pools are wonderful. While they can be less than relaxing sometimes, I don't usually find myself worried about whether or not anyone at the adult pool should be wearing a swim diaper. Although now that I think about it, maybe I should be ...

After a fairly enjoyable late afternoon snooze in the sunshine at the pool we returned to the villa feeling a bit like baked Alaska. Having canceled our dinner reservations for Blue Zoo (part of my diabolical plan to enjoy a Grimace-free evening) Jay and I cleaned up for a night of chowing at Epcot. We left a note for Jon and Grimmie along with the day's allotment of good behavior scratch off lottery tickets. With each step I took down the pathway towards Crescent Lake and Epcot my heart grew lighter - finally an evening alone with my man, enhanced by weird food, booze, and fireworks. Isn't life good?

Well slow down there, Nellie, because there's a strangely familiar shadowy shape moving towards you out of the semi-gloom, and Jay is muttering "I don't believe it" under his breath, and before you know it you're standing there like a slack-jawed yokel staring at your parents with just one phrase echoing through your head:

SWEET MERCIFUL CRAP!!!

Time for some quick thinking ... Grimace is holding a drink cup in her hand which means that they've probably eaten dinner already ...

"Hey, how ya doin'? We're headed for Epcot and the festival food booths for dinner - wanna come?"

Grimace begins playing with the straw and the ice in her cup - she has a really annoying habit of moving the straw up and down through the opening in the plastic lid of her drinks once the actual beverage has been consumed. It makes a grating, plastic sawing sound coupled with the constant shifting of ice chips. It's a nervous habit of hers that means, "I can't wait to get out of here."

Before Jon could do more than look mildly enthusiastic about our proposal, there was the sound of a small avalanche and a gasp from Grimace. She'd actually managed to push her straw through the bottom of her cup and the ice spilled down her legs and all over her feet. We stood in stunned silence for a moment looking at that small mound of ice chips and the water stain covering one side of her shorts and then the spell was broken by the hysterical laughter of Jason and yours truly, who were doubled over with mirth.

Self portrait #51 - It's so nice to be with you...just you!

Having ditched the parental unit through good timing on our parts and misfortune on Grimace's part, Jason and I continued on our way to Epcot and another batch of eating around the world. Since it was growing dark we didn't take any pictures of the food booths - we went back the next day and took a bunch of photos in the glorious afternoon light of a perfect day. So look for those sometime in Day 9.

Tonight we start the gastronomic tour with my perennial favorite food booth - France. Ah, France...your surly demeanor is surpassed only by the tastiness of the treats we so willingly over-pay for.

Food Choices: Escargots Provencal; Chausson au Fromage de Che'vre; Creme Brule'e au Chocolat

Drink Choices: Sparr Riesling; Sparkling Pomegranate Kir; Georges Duboeuf Chardonnay; Chateau Bonnet Bordeaux Rouge; Kronenbourg 1664 Beer

Why have one when you can have three?

What you see before you were three of the yummiest samples we tried all evening. In the background a Sparkling Pomegranate Kir...I've always been a big fan of Kir Royales, so I figured I couldn't go wrong with this and I was right! This could have tasted like fizzy cough syrup if they'd used too much of the Pomegranate liqueur, but someone in France knows how to pour a drink and this was just right...a hint of sweetness but really very light and refreshing. So good that we ordered a bottle of Pama Pomegranate Liqueur once we returned to the armpit of the Midwest to help us endure the desolate vacation-less months ahead.

The Food? Oh, yeah that was good, too.

That slightly over-cooked offering to the left is formally known as a Chausson au Fromage de' Chevre. American translation: Goh-t Cheeee-ez Tarrr-t.

Despite being a bit more brown than I would have preferred, this cheesy tartlet was excellent and flavorful without being overpowering. Didn't pair too well with the Kir but we managed to choke it down anyway.

And look at that little baby on the right...Creme Brulee au Chocolat. American translation: Chalk-let Krem Brew-lay.

What is there to say? This was better than we had any reason to expect or hope. Crispy, melted sugar topping...cool, rich creamy chocolate...squabbling over who got to eat the last spoonful chased with some of that Kir, which was just fabulous with this dessert!

I love France for another reason... the anonymous alcoholic squishee booth. Four score and seven years ago when our forefathers and I started this trip report, you might recall mention of a Lemon Citron Squishee and my vow to come back and try its more colorful cousin: The Grand Marnier Squishee.

Mmmmm, that's good squishee!

This drink was good times indeed. If it hadn't been for the relentless pursuit of food I could have stayed right there at that booth pounding these babies down until Illuminations started.

Having tried both slushies I offer you now my humble post-alcoholic opinion. The Lemon Citron is definitely more of a daytime indulgence - it's lighter and less sweet, very much like frozen lemonade with just a hint of alcohol. The Grand Marnier is sweeter and denser - it's an evening indulgence, which makes sense really, since Grand Marnier is more of an after-dinner drink anyway. Both were very good, but I think the Grand Marnier was the more popular of the two drinks just based on the number of people we spotted wandering around Epcot with them during the week.

And talk about a conversation starter! There I was perched daintily on a bench slurping orange slush from a plastic cup and someone would plop down next to me, "Wow! What's that you're drinking? I love the color! Where can I get one? France? Really? Was it expensive? Guess I'll have to give up food. Thanks for the tip!"

This happened many times during the evening while I was waiting for Jason to come back to me with food. I'd like to think that all the attention had something to do with the amusingly magnetic force of my personality but who are we kidding? It's all about the booze and I'm happy that I could share the alcoholic squishee-love with so many people. And I hope Epcot never ever ever ever ever ever closes that booth.

Where else did we eat? Let me think....Oh, Turkey! We went to Turkey.

Food Choices: Meze: Circassian Chicken, Red Lentil Kofte, Eggplant Salad; Vine Leaves Stuffed with Rice; Sweet Rounds in Syrup with Hazelnuts

Drink Choices: Kavaklidere Cankaya White; Kavaklidere Yakut Red

Circassian Chicken et al

Look at the size of that portion! At $2.50 per sample this was one of the best bargains at the whole F&W Festival. I tried it and I didn't really like it, so Jason at the rest - he thought it was quite good. While he was chowing on that generous plate o'food, I decided to be daring and purchase something from the Morocco booth.

Food Choices: Beef Kefta Pocket; Chicken Bastilla; Pistachio Baklava

Drink Choices: Ksar White; Guerrouane Red; Bodegas Pinord Moscatel; Casa Beer; Mint Iced Tea

Are you sure that's chicken because it looks a little like gooey butter cake to me...

I ordered the Chicken Bastilla and a serving of mint iced tea. I can't say that the chicken was bad, but I really struggled with this taste combination. My tongue and my brain both had the same reaction: cinnamon ... puff pastry ... powdered sugar ... CHICKEN??? One of these things is not like the others! Get the poultry out of the dessert for never the twain shall meet!!!

For the record, Jason also liked this sample just fine. The mint iced tea was very good and very refreshing - it would have been even better on a hot day. Next stop...Japan. That's right, when you've already had a chicken-puff for dessert why not top it off with some raw fish and beer?

Food Choices: Spicy Tuna Roll; Tokyo Sushi Roll with Crabmeat; Japanese Noodle Salad with Shrimp

Drink Choices: Ozeki Dry Sake; Gekkeikan Zipang Sparkling Sake; Takara Plum Wine; Kirin Ichiban Draft Beer

It's not really raw, but it sure is chewy

This is the Tokyo Sushi Roll with Crabmeat. The sushi was sticky and chewy and sort of tasteless. Jason said that the sauces on the side were there to provide flavor, but I can't eat stuff like Wassabi and I'm not crazy about ginger, so it looks like I'm stuck with chewy and tasteless.

We also ordered a sample of Kirin Ichiban beer, but it took a while for it to show up because the tap ran dry and someone had to run inside one of the restaurants to get ours. Kirin is a really good beer and the name lends itself to all kinds of silliness ... if you're a goofball like me.

**Pointless diversion for the sake of another bad joke**

See, Jay loves to garden and he has a gift for growing things. Every winter he orders his seeds and in the spring he goes to a local nursery for more seeds and tomato plants and stuff that makes things grow. I just point the garden hose or sprinkler where directed because I inherited a black thumb from Grimace (like that's even a surprise).

Know who else loves Jay's garden? The rabbits. They come from miles around and line up around his fenced-in organic smorgasboard, their noses twitching while they stare at the produce with those flat, creepy, bottomless rabbit eyes. Oh, and they give each other fleas and scratch a lot.

So, there we are at Epcot trying Kirin Ichiban for the first time and I say, "This is really pretty good, don't you think?"

Jay nods and takes another drink.

"We should try to find some of this when we get home and then we can drink it while we admire the garden with the rabbits."

Jay gives me one of those sidelong looks that usually mean: I think you're probably going to say something to reinforce my opinion that you are nuts but it's part of your charm so go ahead...

I start to giggle. "We can call it Kirin Itchy Bunnie!!!"



**End pointless diversion**

Once we finished our sushi we wandered into the Japan-mart where they sell all kinds of great, sometimes tacky stuff including Speed Racer memorabilia! I loved that show when I was a kid, but it's even better watching it as an adult - hilarious, especially because it's not supposed to be funny.

Already filled to the brim with alcoholic good cheer, we headed towards the area of the store that sells Japanese foodstuffs. I'm sure it's politically incorrect but we love to look through all the Japanese foods, especially the candies, and laugh at the names and the packaging. It's not supposed to be funny, but it is. But I don't want you to think we only poke fun at Japanese products ... Jay and I find just about everything funny and we aren't shy about laughing in public. If you hear a hee-haw the next time you're at WDW, don't be alarmed; it's probably just Jason and me being insensitive about something again.

Anyway, I bet you'll never guess what we found while we were there mocking Japanese food packaging! That's right - a Sake bar!!

Well, when in Japan

We had never tried sake before and asked the young girl behind the bar for a suggestion. She was really sweet and told us that we should try her favorite sake: Wakatake. Not too sweet and not too dry, and it was really quite good. I don't know didley about Sake, but I love the name... Wakatake Sake. It rhymes and that pushes my silly button.

Does Mojo Jojo drink Wakatake Sake?

Ahem ...

From Japan it only seems logical to import ourselves to America town, where there is more food to be sampled.

Food Choices: Maine Lobster Roll; BBQ Pork Rib with Grilled Fresh Corn; Blackberry Cobbler

Drink Choices: Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay; Albemarle Rose'; Rancho Zabaco Heritage Vines Zinfandel; Sterling Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

So that's a lobster roll ...

I like to call this a Lobster-Dog since it's served on a miniature hot dog bun. This was actually lobster salad served on a toasted bun and I've been told that this is the authentic Maine / East Coast way to serve a lobster roll. It was actually pretty good, which is saying something because I'm not really a big fan of lobster.

This was also the most expensive food sample at the festival, coming in at a whopping $6.50 per order!

From here we decided to grab some cafe mocha and stake out a spot for Illuminations. The only thing I can really say about the mocha is that it was hot, and that was all that really mattered because it was getting chilly-willy out there. This was the first time we watched the show from Japan and it was a great viewing area. We always like to try new vantage points for Illuminations. And would you believe that this was the only night of our entire 10 day trip that we saw Illuminations?

Once the show was over we took our time leaving Epcot - it's so peaceful and romantic wandering through the World Showcase as the park is emptying out. And while hordes of people are pushing out the front gates we just stroll through the international Gateway back to our hotel. Well... actually we went to the ESPN Club first because we wanted to watch Game 4 of the World Series and I was dying for a tuna pita - one of my favorite sandwiches at WDW.

It was not to be. Game 4 was a washout ... and ESPN changed their menu, banning the tuna pita and quite possibly ensuring that I'll never eat there again. I'm serious - the rest of their menu options make the bile rise in the back of my throat.

There was nothing left to do but make our way back to the room, where we were met by a smiling Grimace. I don't have a picture so you're just going to have to take my word on this and use your imaginations, but she was smiling all right.

Why?

She hit scratch-off pay dirt and won $26 on five lottery tickets and giggled like a school girl for the rest of the night.

And thus ends ... finally ... the 8th day of our saga. Now, remember back in May I pre-posted the morning of our 9th day which was the Stream Train Tour. So when I come back to post again it will be for Thursday afternoon and evening.

Thanks again for reading... I hope you've enjoyed it!

Ooops! I almost forgot ... Jon bought Plankton a present while he and Grimace explored MGM together. I found it thoughtful and maybe a little disturbing that Jon was now buying accessories for Plankton, but at least he was having fun.

Quake in fear you mortal fools!

 

[Karen Mouse]

A great day Brenda.

Loved the ice on Grimace part (cruel I know but true!)

Some of that food sounds delicious.

 

[A fat english gent]

Brenda the pinkie meat at the top of the picture is....

 

[daly7o9]

I start to giggle. "We can call it Kirin Itchy Bunnie!!!"

Whew *wipes tear from eye* I Love a good pun!

My family is forever rolling their eyes at me because I'm the punster in the family. I just tell them that its a sign of intelligence to be able to come up with a good pun. Never mind that its the lowest form of humor. I know, I know, they didn't buy it either.

Anyway...I love your TR style. Keep it comin'.

 

[mlill]

Mmmmmm.... FOOD! (in my best Homer voice!) Sounds like another great day. I could just picture the Grimace's self-made waterfall down the front of her. What luck! A Sparkling Pomegranate Kir is high on my list of things to get at F&W this year. Infact, I'll be spending a lot of time at the Champagne booth as well as the Welcome Center's champagne bar.... I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Thanks for another excellent installment!

Take care,
Michelle

P.S. I hope you survive your day at work!