Sorry Gaston, They are MUCH More Interesting Than You!*6/8* NEW Trip Report Link p154

[MEK]

A foodie's dream.......

Before I start on my update I must not go any further until I post my fun arrival gifts from Cynthia.

My cute little name tag which I immediately put on my camera bag

And this cool key chain which now has my spare car key!

Thank you Cynthia!

Now on to the update........

In my last update we had just finished a picture less lunch with Melissa and her husband John (Mickeysmyboy). Then we did a quick speed walk back to the festival center for our 1pm seminar.

I will let Cynthia have the honor of telling you about our seminar in detail. She is much more food and cooking savy then I am. My idea of cooking is boiling water and throwing pasta in the pot. OK - so I exaggerate. But that's not too far off from the truth. Just sayin'

On the other hand, I love to eat, and I don't mind watching people make food because they make is look so easy. It's inspiring.

Our seminar took place here

And today's seminar was how to make a mole sauce. Sorry, I can't be any more specific than that.

First things first - We got our wine!

Note that underneath the wine glass is the recipe and ingredients for the mole sauce we enjoyed.

It didm't take long for me to start taking pictures of everything that would jump in front of my lens.

We actually had a great seat that was pretty much front and center. Here's our host.

And our chef (he is the head chef at La Hacienda)

and our host, chef, and the intern who knew how to operate the high tech thermador stove

The seminar space was also equipped with a TV screen so you could actually SEE what was going in the pot. I didn't pay much attention to that, but I certainly paid attention to this - the finished product!

YUMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

Close up!

There was something special about the ingredients in this mole sauce. Again, you'll have to ask Cynthia. Green chiles? No, it wasn't that but it was something green that you can't get in every grocery store. Cynthia??? I give up???

Bottom line - this mole sauce was awesome. Loved it! And, for being a non cook, I really enjoyed the seminar. For about the same price as a F&W food and wine sample, we got to sit down, be entertained, and served. What's not to like???????

We walked around a little bit and I noticed they were setting up for a wine tasting seminar

Here's a more complete list of today's adult beverage seminars

This caught my eye - wine in a pouch! Easy to conceal at your next soccer game or family outing. (I say soccer game because I was cleaning the bleachers at one of the last state tournament game and I found some lady's booze on the stand - nothing like making it obvious!

They were giving out free samples here, but it was pretty obvious that the samples were going to run out long before the line did

In keeping with my pretty bottle fetish

That's a cat, in case you couldn't tell

We looked around and checked out some of the merchandise and texted Pat that we were leaving. We agreed to meet up over in England.

Of course, on the way to England I had my first official drink of F&W. May I introduce the mai tai from Hawaii

What did I think? Not bad. I'd drink it again!

When we got to England we sat down right outside the Rose & Crown and formulated a plan…..

…….which was easy because it involved food & wine

I took a picture

or two

What? Did you think I really only took two pictures?

Well, HEEEEEEELLLLLLO there fella!

Continued in Next Post........

 

[MEK]

It was time to get up and start the F&W rounds

First stop&..

My choice of beverage in France&&.

Sparkling wine

After France we wandered over to Morocco where we tried to locate a certain object often rumored about on the DIS boards

I took about four pictures, but I think one will suffice

Hey - get your mind out of the gutter!

After exploring Morocco one of us had the bright idea to go visit the new wine bar in Italy. We may or may not have stopped at the Kiosk in America.

The wine bar in Italy is really, really cool. It's bigger than the Ditch and very, very dark. I imagine it would be a fabulous place to get out of the summer heat. I couldn't really take very good pictures in here because it was THAT dark.

Ah - here we go - this one is better

And, of course, I can't forget the picture of the wine

Having Cynthia as my own personal sommelier is very helpful, She just says, "I think you will like this" and I order it.

I think this picture illustrates what you look like AFTER you come out of the wine bar. There is some serious squinting action going on here

Continued in Next Post.........

 

[MEK]

Oh Italy - Wasn't I already here once today?

We may or may not have stopped in Poland

This was my next purchase. I can't even tell you what it is. Was it in Poland? I have no clue. All I can tell you is it was REALLY yummy! And the wine wasn't bad either.

In case you are keeping count - that's 5 drinks so far (but they were all small - except the real glass of wine in Italy)

Apparently that last picture was just a warm up to this -

Another mouthwatering sammie with some kind of white wine (getting real specific now, aren't I?)



Was this in Korea? I think so. Close up!

Apparently we stopped in Argentina

Someone looks happy!

I think this was Cynthia's. I probably had more wine. Shock. I know!

Time flies in Disney, doesn't it?

The sun is quite a bit lower in the clouds then when we started this adventure!

At this point I started taking random guest shots

I guess I found something amusing about that hat

Our Next Destination was the Festival Center. We were going back to find the Chase Lounge for a little non-alcoholic refreshment.

Up Next - The Chase Lounge, FP score, and closing out the evening!


But since I have a little more space in this update how about if I post a couple miscellaneous pictures that I just put in photo bucket.

I was so impressed by teekathepony's (Wendy's) bokeh effect pictures, that I tried to take some of my own. They didn't really work, but I got a few decent shots that really aren't bokeh.

Bokeh, but I got the overlay from photo bucket. Is that cheating?

Merry Christmas Mickey

Not even close to Bokeh, but a decent picture

In my next update I might include some pics from my recent stay in Rehoboth beach!

 

[MEK]

ME, I took the 35% room discount. Booked AKL, Club Level for early September!!

One snag, we were talking about a driving trip to the Southwest for the same time. I decided to go ahead & book Disney just to save it it case we don't go to Southwest. I didn't want to lose the discount if we decide not to go out west.

Club level sounds wonderful. And I love AKL. What a perfect combo! It really sounds so nice. So hard to pass that up.

Did you just stay at AKL? I totally forget!

Anyway - I hope you start your TR soon!!!!!

 

[marDgreen88]

Aww I love the little name tag! That is too cute.

Sounds like a fun afternoon! The seminar sounds super interesting, but I'm with you... I don't think I'd really know what the heck they were doing the whole time.

 

[jenseib]

When I was little my parent had a shelf with alcohol. They rarely drank ever, so it sat on the shelf for years and sometimes some was pulled out for get togethers. One bottle was a green cat, hat looked a lot like your car bottle pictures. I thought it was the neatest thing. I don't think it ever got drank. It probably got thrown away at some point in time.

I think you all have squinty eyes from a few too many glasses of wine.

 

[KatMark]

Love your name tag!

You had me giggling as you toured F&W as if I was there drinking with you (although I can't drink wine). Love the "squinty eye pictures"--they say you were having a good time.

Okay, how is it I never knew about that picture in Morocco? I have must been living under a rock.

 

[jecskc]

That wine in a pouch you saw ??? Me and my tennis girlfriends call it "purse wine." Because it would be so easy to carry in your purse.

 

[natebenma]

Loved your update!

I love to cook, and I really love to eat, so I would have been all over that Mole seminar. I make a simple mole at home and to be honest, I haven't found any at restaurants that I like any better. After I'm done posting, I'm going to see if I can google the recipe from the seminar.

What a fun, fun afternoon/evening! Just perfect hanging out with friends, stumbling through the countries and enjoying some yummy refreshments.

And finding the hidden d1ckie.

I tried to locate it during the class trip but I was told I didn't go far enough (into the pavillion).

I haven't seen the pouch wine, but the frozen margarita/daiqueri pouches you can bring to the beach are pretty

I enjoyed seeing your Christmas bokeh and other shots.

 

[rachel09985]

oh my gosh that rock formation in Morocco is hilarious!!!!! I have never seen that before or heard about it!!! I will definitely look for that next time!!! Leave it to Disney to have phallic symbols lol!

That sun was really coming through those clouds. So pretty!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I would have loved the cooking seminar as I enjoy cooking. Wine in a pouch? I've never even heard of that but it looks pretty neat.

Oh I see that you found the anatomically correct "structure" in Morocco. I found it a couple of trips ago and included a picture of it in that year's trip report. I often wonder if it's really supposed to be "that".

It looks like ya'll had a good time going to the various food booths and trying out the drinks and sampling the goodies they had. I especially like the looks of the dish from Korea.

 

[saintstickets]

After France we wandered over to Morocco where we tried to locate a certain object often rumored about on the DIS boards

I took about four pictures, but I think one will suffice

What? You didn't get the right angle so you had to take multiple pics?

Hey - get your mind out of the gutter!

It is taking all I can do to NOT comment but I will refrain...it seems you've created quite a bit of interest from the ladies reading this thread. I guess we now know what the belly dancer at Morocco uses for inspiration? (I'm sorry...I couldn't help myself)

After exploring Morocco one of us had the bright idea to go visit the new wine bar in Italy. I think this picture illustrates what you look like AFTER you come out of the wine bar.

There is some serious squinting action going on here

...and lots of grinning too! I think the blonde photo bomber in the background must have not gone in the wine bar yet. That must be a BEFORE pic!

 

[dizneeat]

Great update! Long one too!

I would LOVE to do the cooking seminars, we even go to the ones on the Disney ships.
Your stroll around WS, sampling food and DRINKS looks yummy - that would so be up my street. Unfortunately I can only experience it through your pics (THANKS AGAIN) as it is WAY outside our holidays.

Oh, and BTW - I would love those cat wine bottles and I saw the pouch wine for the first time in France (the one in Europe ) before Christmas. REALLY caught my attention.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Your culinary demo looks like so much fun! What a cool experience!

We haven't been to the Wine Ditch, but that looks like a great spot as well!!

 

[englishrose47]

Awesome update !!! That mole sauce meal looks yummy!!!Have to pass on the wine , but looks like all 3 of you had a great time !!

 

[MEK]

Aww I love the little name tag! That is too cute.

Isn't I adorable. I love it!

Sounds like a fun afternoon! The seminar sounds super interesting, but I'm with you... I don't think I'd really know what the heck they were doing the whole time.

During the seminar they make it look so easy that you are sure you can do the exact same thing at home, but I guarantee you that my mole sauce wouldn't turn out anywhere close to that one!

When I was little my parent had a shelf with alcohol. They rarely drank ever, so it sat on the shelf for years and sometimes some was pulled out for get togethers. One bottle was a green cat, hat looked a lot like your car bottle pictures. I thought it was the neatest thing. I don't think it ever got drank. It probably got thrown away at some point in time.

That's a neat story and its funny the things you remember from your childhood. I wonder what was in that cat bottle????? Hmmmmmmmmm.........

I think you all have squinty eyes from a few too many glasses of wine.

Probably, but I am sticking with the transition from dark to light story.

Love your name tag!

Thanks. Isn't it cute! I love that because its got a great home on my camera bag, which you know I use A LOT!

You had me giggling as you toured F&W as if I was there drinking with you (although I can't drink wine). Love the "squinty eye pictures"--they say you were having a good time.

Oh No - really? - you can't drink wine. I have to admit I got a kick out of trying all those pint sized wine samples. All except for the ice wine, which was a thimble sized cup for $5. Every time I got an entree I got another little glass of wine.

Okay, how is it I never knew about that picture in Morocco? I have must been living under a rock.

I definitely knew about it and I think I have seen pictures before, but every time I have actually been in Morocco I never notice it. So after a couple drinks I was bold enough to take a picture.

That wine in a pouch you saw ??? Me and my tennis girlfriends call it "purse wine." Because it would be so easy to carry in your purse.

It really would. I was really tempted to try it, but I never did. They were selling samples of it in the Florida kiosk, but with so many other things to try a girl's gotta make choices! I figure if its from Florida I can try it another time.

Loved your update!

Thanks! That was a fun update to write because I didn't really remember what I had to eat and drink, so it was like reliving it. I totally forgot about the mai tai until I saw the picture!

I love to cook, and I really love to eat, so I would have been all over that Mole seminar. I make a simple mole at home and to be honest, I haven't found any at restaurants that I like any better. After I'm done posting, I'm going to see if I can google the recipe from the seminar.

I bet Cynthia has the recipe and I probably have it somewhere. I really need to go through my bags to look for it. I need to find my passport, too (world showcase passport that is!)

What a fun, fun afternoon/evening! Just perfect hanging out with friends, stumbling through the countries and enjoying some yummy refreshments.

F&W was such a unique way to "stumble" through the countries, as you so aptly put it! Now I know firsthand why it is such a hit. So. Much. Fun.

And finding the hidden d1ckie.

I tried to locate it during the class trip but I was told I didn't go far enough (into the pavillion). [/QUOTE]

Well, perhaps its good that you didn't locate it during the class trip. Well, unless, of course, you weren't with any of the students. Let me just say that Pat knew exactly where it was.

I haven't seen the pouch wine, but the frozen margarita/daiqueri pouches you can bring to the beach are pretty

You have me thinking right now. I am probably going to need some pouch wine for my next beach trip! And that would be HHI in 3 months!!!!!!

I enjoyed seeing your Christmas bokeh and other shots.

They aren't all that great, but I figured since I just put them in photo bucket, why not?

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I will let Cynthia have the honor of telling you about our seminar in detail. She is much more food and cooking savy then I am. My idea of cooking is boiling water and throwing pasta in the pot. OK - so I exaggerate. But that's not too far off from the truth. Just sayin'

Did they have a seminar on using the microwave? That's my kind of cooking.

And today's seminar was how to make a mole sauce. Sorry, I can't be any more specific than that.

Ew. Why would you want to eat something made from a mole? I really don't understand chefs sometimes.

This caught my eye - wine in a pouch! Easy to conceal at your next soccer game or family outing. (I say soccer game because I was cleaning the bleachers at one of the last state tournament game and I found some lady's booze on the stand - nothing like making it obvious!

This could be a great business plan. Soon you'll have wine in containers that look like cell phones, too.

After France we wandered over to Morocco where we tried to locate a certain object often rumored about on the DIS boards

Hey - get your mind out of the gutter!

You're the one showing the dirty pictures.

Having Cynthia as my own personal sommelier is very helpful, She just says, "I think you will like this" and I order it.

Are you sure you trust her? She already gave you mole guts or something.

Apparently we stopped in Argentina

Memory got a little fuzzy, huh?

At this point I started taking random guest shots

This is what happens when you have 5 drinks.

 

[Disney9.9.10]

I love your world showcase pictures - you got some really unique shots! I don't know how anyone manages at F&W. I'm too much of a lightweight, I'd be in a coma

 

[MEK]

oh my gosh that rock formation in Morocco is hilarious!!!!! I have never seen that before or heard about it!!! I will definitely look for that next time!!! Leave it to Disney to have phallic symbols lol!

Should I be glad that I was the first one to enlighten you to its location? Honestly - this is the first time I have taken a picture of it. The wine made me do it.

That sun was really coming through those clouds. So pretty!!

I don't remember that day being particularly overcast, but it sure looks like it in all my pictures. I guess it was one of those hazy days.

I would have loved the cooking seminar as I enjoy cooking. Wine in a pouch? I've never even heard of that but it looks pretty neat.

If you are into cooking you would definitely have enjoyed the demonstrations. I don't even "love" cooking and it was fun!

I am thinking of more and more uses for that wine in a pouch!

Oh I see that you found the anatomically correct "structure" in Morocco. I found it a couple of trips ago and included a picture of it in that year's trip report. I often wonder if it's really supposed to be "that".

I doubt it was intended to be "that", but the resemblance is uncanny. I never really noticed it before, even though I heard it was rumored to exist. I guess you have to be in the right frame of mind to notice it.

It looks like ya'll had a good time going to the various food booths and trying out the drinks and sampling the goodies they had. I especially like the looks of the dish from Korea

I have to say that everything I tasted during the trip was excellent. Some better than others, but everything was super yummy! The Korean dish was excellent and I'm sorry I never got around to getting another sample because it was that good!

 

[glennbo123]

Was the mysterious mole sauce ingredient tomatillos? That's my guess, maybe I'll get a slushie credit.

Wine in a pouch. Just be careful not to get mixed up with the kids' Capri Sun's.....'cause it'd be a shame to have to drink a Capri Sun.

Ooo, I'll have to take Judy to that wine bar, she'd love that.

My favorite photopass picture is the one where you appear to be talking when the photo is being taken MEK! It looks like it was taken in Italy.