Wish I was going to be there as well, Sharon.
Thanks Elizabeth but I am truly a novice, compared to Linda, Sha, her niece and your DH. I did get help from the fact that DH bought a nice new camera, a Canon Rebel T2i last December. But honestly I have a lot to learn. I am not afraid though to take the pictures and filled the card. The only other pictures ont he card were the ones I took for insurance purposes of all our jazz fest posters, furniture, rugs, appliances, etc before I left in case of flood. The water levels are very slowing going down in the rivers, and a few of the spillway locks have started being closed. I think we should be ok, but I have a lot of unpacking of pictures and stuff to do at some point.
I did spend a lot ot time taking pictures. I also took many from my new iphone and emailed them to my mom and my sister.
That was the first time I have emailed so many and that was a load of fun.
Our DD20, soon to be 21 left New Orleans Saturday for Paris and Madrid to do her summer program.
Our DD15 is going to NYC to visit my brother there (he is her godfather). He is planning for them to go to 4 broadway plays, museums, and see the other major sights, Statue of Liberty, Empire State, Central Parkm Times Square, Fifth Avenue, etc.
I wish I was going. but I think they may have some stuff for me to do at work-can you say budget time?
Last week, I loved spending time with all the lovely ladies from here and their family members. I enjoyed a lot of meals because Mary Ann graciously included me in her dining reservations.
It was so nice to have an anchor to build my day around most days for dinner. It is interesting to travel to WDW by yourself. I would do it again. I really liked being able to be in charge of my day, but if I had not had dinner companions at most meal, I am not so sure.
As usual I rented a car which gave me so much freedom. I ended up a a very nice fire engine red Infinity G37 as it was parked for some reason on the full size Emerald isle at National. Not bad for $114 for 8 days. It was fun driving up to the Hilton and doing valet when I went out. Since I went out more than once a day, it was a real help for me, and I felt pampered there for a few days. It is not necessary to do valet at the Wyndham but they do have bell services, which I need with my owners locker.
One highlight of my trip was going to Sanaa at the Kidani villages (DVC). I ended up having lunch there three times and love the Tandori shrimp on the Naan bread they make there. When I was at the check in desk, I saw little cards describing a new experience they have where you eat a 4 course meal with animal keepers. It is new and has not been advertised yet. It is limited to 12 guests. They had set up a large table in the restaurant. It was myself and 4 other guests, the guy over all Disney's social media and his assistant, and the overall curator of all the animals at AK and the lodges, and one of his 3 managers. The curator and his manager spoke at length about how the animals are managed and cared for, how Disney interacts with other zoos, their individual backgrounds and experiences, how Disney selects people to work with the program, what a person interested in working there should do.
You could ask any question yabouthe animals are about them that you could think of. It was supposed to be an hour and a half program, but both the curator and his manager ended up spending 2 and a half hours with us. They are obviously excited about the program, and personally I thought it was a real deal for $49, including tax and tip, for 4 courses.
The social media people were there to blog about the new program, as they did not previously know about it either. Right now it is only held on Wednesdays from 11:30 to 1:15 pm, and you need a reservation ( you call the Sanaa desk or the Kidani desk, not dining reservations right now.)
I thought I would post about it in case Elizabeth had any interest. My DD15 is dying to do it the next time she visits WDW, possibly at Thanksgiving.
Another highlight was having tea at the Grand Floridian. MaryAnn and I chose the Mad Hatters tea and it was divine. Another thing my DD15 wants to do in the future.
The main highlight was just to visit everyone.
Loved it.