Food and Wine Festival

After studying and analyzing the weather maps, Dan and I determined today was the best day for a trip the Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT. Mum and Dad had left the decision to us. Called Mum and we decided we would meet them at 0845 just outside of the EPCOT parking and Mum would switch into our car, can you believe that it is $11.00 now to park, it was $.50 when we came the first time.

We left the house right at 0800, traffic was heavier than I thought it would be and we seemed to hit more red than green lights. We pulled up behind Mum and Dad at 0844, right on time. Just as Dan and Mum were switching cars it started to sprinkle (hard), I couldn't believe it after all our careful deliberations on the weather, but by the time we parked it had stopped and we only felt a couple of drops for the rest of the day.

There weren't any lines to go in, walked right through the turnstile, well everyone except Dan who had some problems, but he overcame them. Got our picture taken and off we went.

Wandered for a bit, Pin Shop and MouseGears then it was up to the Land for our morning snack. Spent some time there just talking and enjoying the company. Then we walked over to Test Track to look at the new GM Cars. There were some beautiful ones, most out of our price range but it was fun to look.

Made a stop by the Chill Station but they didn't have Dan's favorite - watermelon soda. Had all the nasty tasting ones but no watermelon.

By this time the World Showcase was open. First we went to Peru, they had a great display with a large picture of Machu Picchu and we all decided we wanted to go there, especially when Dan told us we didn't have to hike up the Andes to get there. Then we talked to Marleny Callanaupa Quillahuaman (she gave us her business card), who is from Peru and spins alpaca and sheep wool into yarn. I have never felt anything as soft as the alpaca wool. She also had some samples of the textiles she weaves from the yarn and they were beautiful.

Continued around the World Showcase and I was the first to get something - goat cheese quiche - in France. It was very good but not what I was looking for. The first year we went to the Food Festival they had something with goat cheese that I really liked and they have never had it again but I try what they have with goat cheese each year, hoping.

Next was the lamb chop w/caramelized onion and the macadamia nut and chocolate bar in Australia. Dan had the lamb chop (almost had to bring the bone home for him to chew on later, it was that good) and we all tried the cookie bar, it was great.

When we got to the American Pavilion we went to the Pearville Fair. Learn how to tell if a pear is ripe and did you know there are over 300 varieties of pears? Neither did we, but now we do.

Poland was next, Dad and Dan tried the Okocim beer, well Dan had a sip of Dad's because Turkey was just up ahead and Dan wanted the Efes beer. This is the only time he gets it, can't buy it in the states. We also had some of the Authentic (Disney's description) Pistachio Baklava.

Our last stop was Ireland for a potato pancake, one of Dan's favorites although it wasn't as good as the ones we had at Andy and Nikki's wedding reception.

Forgot, that wasn't quite our last stop, we got popcorn just before leaving the World Showcase. Made our way to the Park entrance and picked up our picture and we headed out. If it hadn't been so humid Dan and I would have gone to MGM but it was, so we were on our way. Well once we found the car. Dad had the right row but the rest of us thought we were up one row. Always listen to you father!

It was a good trip to the park, hope we get some more good weekends because we really enjoy spending time at Disney.

Stopped at WalMart on 535 to do our weekend shopping. Got the fixings for lasagna for dinner with Andy, Nikki and Riley tomorrow. Then we took the fast way home, Osceola Parkway and the Turnpike.

For all of you looking at the picture and thinking what is wrong. The hand, wand and stars are gone fro Spaceship Earth, wasn't until I was looking at the picture that I noticed.