ABCs of Trip Reporting, Pt. 2-Life Can Be Crappy and Then You Move On (3/7)

[Captain_Oblivious]

Another lovely update. I don't know what's more shocking, the fact that you'd casually flip off the gift shop, or that the French guys are Russian!

Do tell, All! What would you buy if you could buy up props, hardscaping or such????

I'd like the Wilderness Lodge. And a monorail, if it's not too much to ask.

I would like something from MR. Toad's Wild ride. Not sure if I would like a ride car, or the scenery at the end with the train light and then HE double hockey sticks.

I like that idea. Still find it amazing that a Disney ride once took guests straight into HE double hockey sticks.

 

[All7OfUs]

I would like something from MR. Toad's Wild ride. Not sure if I would like a ride car, or the scenery at the end with the train light and then HE double hockey sticks.

oooooooooh, good choice!! That was one of my favorite rides as a kid at DLR. I loved how it was so zany!

Great update and nice hat!! You don't look like a second in command snake this time!!

Sssssssssss.....

I also have an imaginary garden and I would buy for it Daisy and Huey, Dewey, and Louie on their walking tour from AKL. Hmmm. not a good explanation, but I hope you know what I mean. Magdalene, do you have a picture uploaded?

I know exactly what you mean! Aren't they cute tromping around the woods with their little packs on?!

Good choice!!

I know that I have a picture, but could not find it on photobucket yet... Will come back and add it later!

It's there. Why is it so danged hard to find stuff in FB after the upload?!

I think I would want Minnie's house for my DD. She needs a playhouse and Disney's not doing anything with it right now...

LOL, so true! maybe it will get put in the MouseSurplus Store, and you can run over and pick it up. Of course, if Disney were smart, they'd auction that stuff off, and the new area would pay for itself!

The russian french man! Love it!

That wine stopper is absolutely beautiful. Too bad it wasn't from disney or I would be getting my own in May.

Of course, we already know we have matching Mickey head stoppers. And I do enjoy mine as well! Not French, but a great souvie all the same!

They DO have the frilly glass ones!! They were just too expensive for me. Of course, this one I got from Gram was probably 1/10 of the Disney price. I saw the glass ones in both Italy and France in WS.

Yes, I remember your Mickey head one from your kitchen remodel pix. Mine is sitting in my Barefoot Reisling right now on the deck- it's been so stinking cold that we don't need to refridge the wine right now.

Another lovely update. I don't know what's more shocking, the fact that you'd casually flip off the gift shop, or that the French guys are Russian!



I'd like the Wilderness Lodge. And a monorail, if it's not too much to ask.



I like that idea. Still find it amazing that a Disney ride once took guests straight into HE double hockey sticks.

I'm just sort of sitting here thinking that I'm glad I didn't flip off the Russian.

I seriously don't know why they don't use the monorail concept more in urban America. So quiet, fast, and cool. Guess it's the cost?

I dunno, some might say the riding ToT (ehem...) is like a trip straight to HE double hockey sticks.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I seriously don't know why they don't use the monorail concept more in urban America. So quiet, fast, and cool. Guess it's the cost?

That's exactly it. They're really, really expensive. I think you could use them in cities and they'd make some sense, but the cost might be too much to bear (although I think Seattle has a short one). The other problem is the one we've all encountered at Disney: if one breaks down, the entire system is ground to a halt.

I dunno, some might say the riding ToT (ehem...) is like a trip straight to HE double hockey sticks.

Oh, come on. Anyone who would say that is a class-A wimp.

 

[All7OfUs]

I know I’m kind of cruising through these WS Mega-Shopping Spree installments rather quickly, but since there are more than a few, I feel like I need to breeze through them. I hope you are still enjoying reading them, as much as I am enjoying writing them and reliving those hours!


Leaving my playmate, Valentin, to climb his chairways to heaven, it was time to find some new pals to have some fun with. But not before finding a few of the hidden gems that take some seeking out in my favorite of all EPCOT Pavilions in WS. I love the snaking mysterious passageways that bring back so many memories of my former life traveling the world and living in an Eastern culture: The sounds of a busy marketplace echoing off the earthen walls; the spicy scents drifting out of the Marakesh; the occasional clang of a tambourine or finger cymbals; and the happy shouts of children from upstairs windows. The bright colors of the scarves and silks hanging around every new corner bring a wide smile to my face, and friendly CMs with their thick Eastern accents and big brown eyes remind me of my good friends from my life in Crapistan.

Before I wandered in, I stopped to see the one group I was most excited to catch on my round-the-world tour- Mo’Rockin! I had downloaded several of their tracks from iTunes (well, actually my dad did because iTunes won’t let anyone download from my former blacklisted country) and listened to them incessantly while slogging around the decrepit track while training. I was determined to request one of those songs so sat down to listen. They were great! I was the ONLY one actually sitting on the 4,000 degree butt-blistering concrete bench (yes, I am an unashamed groupie) watching, and it was obvious I wasn’t the average passerby who watched for about 30 seconds. About that long into my vigil, I did wonder if Reedy Creek had a burn unit for the unfortunate guests stupid enough to actually SIT and take in the tunes.

These guys were not breaking in between songs, so the only way I could think of to get my request “in” was to write it on a piece of paper and show it to one of them. So I did. He raised his eyebrows as if shocked that I knew the name of one of the songs in their lineup, and nonchalantly moseyed over to the lead. He in turn had to spread the word that I was requesting a song and each one sort of shrugged their shoulders and wagged their head. It wasn’t looking good. But before I knew it, the familiar tune of Habibi Da sprang from his guitar. I was in heaven- and I was prepared to sing the Arabic too. But NO ONE SANG IT!! Don’t get me wrong, the tune in and of itself is great, but the words are so easy on the ear.

After another song or two this raving beauty came out to entertain. Just as the band is easy on the ears, she must be easy on the eyes. Yeah, guys?? She in fact, is the same reason it took my hubby half an hour to “settle the bill” at the Marakesh in 2008. Just one comment: This is belly dancing right? I get that. And being so, the eye is drawn to her belly, where I noticed a rather large HOLE from a piercing. I guess I was sorta grossed-out by it. I know Disney doesn’t want jewelry, but well, this was just sort of bad looking, and might have been better WITH the ring or whatever IN it.

After the set, I went to thank them, and he explained that there was no one in the group there today who could sing in the range that song was played in. HUH!!?? So like youse guys aren’t the REAL DEAL?! I was baffled, but realized that this group is probably like the Voices of Liberty who trade out CMs here and there. Slightly disappointed I left for the inviting interior of “Morocco”.

All of my PRESearch for my trip led me to a few little things in this Pavilion that I wanted to hunt down. The first was a copy of a letter written by George Washington to King Mohammed III of Morocco thanking him for his political support just following the Revolutionary War. Did you know the country of Morocco was the very first state to recognize the new USA as a sovereign entity??

Well, maybe I’m the only one who thinks this stuff is really cool beans. Moving on. I was completely happy with my freedom to stop and take a picture whenever I wanted, and this little Moroccan proverb stood out to me:

One of the other things I really wanted to do in here was take in the “free tour” that I had read about here on the DIS. So I spent the next 15 minutes going from store to store, CM to CM, and eventually manager to manager inquiring about said tour. Bottom line is that it is apparently no longer offered. I was truly disappointed in this- I had really, really looked forward to it. However something did lift my spirits; my clothing plan really paid off on that day; no less than 4 Moroccan CMs complemented my shirt and smiled wide when they saw it was Moroccan! That was really cool to connect with them on this level. I was glad I could bring them a fleeting moment of familiarity that those living abroad crave every day!

I do remember wandering into the museum myself, but for the life of me cannot find those pictures. If you’ve never been in there, it is truly worth the 10 minutes it takes to see the beautiful costumes of that area! (Clearly, this Pavilion is going to take longer than the allotted 30 minutes I’d budgeted.) Deeper, deeper in I went; I was in absolutely NO hurry, and sometimes slowing down pays off BIG. BIG was about to happen…

Just across the way from here where I got my 3rd WS hat picture:

I ran across some CMs having a little party! You will NEVER see video like this again, I imagine! What I was witnessing was unbridled, obviously impromptu fun that brought an authenticity to my Moroccan experience that ONLY something like this could bring:





This is EXACTLY how Kazakhs dance as well, so I really could relate on a personal level myself- it flooded me with memories of countless parties we had been to, where we danced the night away to music just like that! But as amazing as that was, I still had one last task to accomplish- finding that special something to take home to remind me of my special time there. After MUCH searching and pricing and hemming and hawing, I chose this:

And believe it or not, it was “Made in Morocco”, was not “Disney, and was under $8.00! I use it almost every day when I do the lipstick thing in the car. Not a bad find for $5.75.

Next up: X-amining Japan!

 

[Poolrat]

What a great and "authentic" experience in Morocco.

Sorry to hear the tour is no longer done, but watching the dancing makes up for it a little.


Loving the tour.

 

[All7OfUs]

That's exactly it. They're really, really expensive. I think you could use them in cities and they'd make some sense, but the cost might be too much to bear (although I think Seattle has a short one). The other problem is the one we've all encountered at Disney: if one breaks down, the entire system is ground to a halt.



Oh, come on. Anyone who would say that is a class-A wimp.

I know that Oregon/ Washington voters are majoritively against building new mass transit- but I'll bet if a monorail were an option, they might relent. Then they could lobby for a Small World attraction too.

But doesn't the whole system of a Metro train breakdown bring everything to a grinding halt as well??

Oh, you're right- must have been someone else I was thinking of...

 

[All7OfUs]

What a great and "authentic" experience in Morocco.

Sorry to hear the tour is no longer done, but watching the dancing makes up for it a little.


Loving the tour.

It was one of the best interactions I've ever had- even if only passive! VERY cool, indeed!

It MORE than made up for it- for SURE!

 

[KatMark]

What a great time you had in Morocco. And I love the video and that it brought back memories for you.

 

[All7OfUs]

What a great time you had in Morocco. And I love the video and that it brought back memories for you.

The video is one of the best things I got from my day! Doesn't it look like they were having fun??

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Do tell, All! What would you buy if you could buy up props, hardscaping or such????[/QUOTE]


Jim says he would buy one of the original E tickets - I would like a carousel horse! We are stripping Cindy's area!

 

[glennbo123]

Ah, yes....the dancer is very easy on the eyes!

Looks like you had a great time exploring Morocco, and got a nice souvie.

 

[All7OfUs]

Do tell, All! What would you buy if you could buy up props, hardscaping or such????

Jim says he would buy one of the original E tickets - I would like a carousel horse! We are stripping Cindy's area![/QUOTE]

For a minute after the first time I read that, I thought you were doing a Liesa Greeting in Fantasyland.

I agree! A caroussel horse would be VERY cool!! I wonder how many E tickets there are in attics here and there.

Ah, yes....the dancer is very easy on the eyes!

Looks like you had a great time exploring Morocco, and got a nice souvie.

I thought she might be....


I did, thank you very much!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Happy St. Patty's Day to all my DISFriends!!! Hope you enjoyed your cabbage- or not.

 

[chloe770]

Wow. That video is so much fun. And the mirror was definitely a great purchase. Useful, cute and authentic.

 

[chloe770]

ughh. Did I mention that I too am NOT a fan of cabbage...or corn beef.

 

[MaryAz]

What a great video!!! They were haivng a lot of fun!! Yay for hearing the familar songs.

 

[Poolrat]

It looks great. Just glad I can't smell it.

 

[chloe770]

It looks great. Just glad I can't smell it.

I second that!!

 

[KatMark]

ughh. Did I mention that I too am NOT a fan of cabbage...or corn beef.

Neither am I (we had fish filet sandwiches instead ).

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Loved the update! I've always love cruising through Morocco, it seems so authentic - it will be so much more so after seeing your tour and the dancing! Thanks for sharing! (I've always wondered why Indy doesn't come snapping his whip through every once in awhile!)

Did you get your classes?