Yam wanted us to experience the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival with her.
She picked us up on Sunday, October 28th, around 6:30 in the morning. It was a bit breezy and chilly at that early hour, but we had hopes of it warming up by the time we reached Epcot. The 2 hour and 16 minute drive was pleasant (especially since Yam was driving and we were passengers).
It was still a bit breezy and chilly when arrived at EPCOT but the sun was out and it was a beautiful day.
Yam had our tickets waiting for us at the gate and we had Fast Passes for each of us that allowed us to go ahead of the general waiting line for the three of rides we went on. I purchased a re-loadable wrist band that we used to purchase the foods we ate. That was nice to just scan and go and not have to handle money or a credit card each time we tried the different foods or drink.
So that we would not become too full and thus have room to try different foods and beverages, we ordered one or two items and shared between the three of us. Here is what we ate and drank throughout the day: Australian Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp (very good), Hawaiian Teriyaki-glazed SPAM hash (surprisingly delicious, but then we do like SPAM), Loaded Greek "Nachos" (yumm-opah!), Thai Marinated Chicken with Peanut Sauce and Stir-fried veggies, African Spicy Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew (and it was spicy but tasty), German Schinkennudelin (a favorite, pasta gratin with ham, onions and cheese) and an unfiltered pilsner called Radeberger Zwickel, Chinese black pepper shrimp with garlic noodles, Japanese teriyaki chicken bun (steamed bun filled with goodness), Brazilian Moqueca (a seafood stew, The Colonel and Yam liked it more than I did), roasted Irish sausage with colcannon potatoes and onion gravy and warm Irish cheddar cheese and stout dip with brown bread ('twas Heavenly) and Norwegian School Bread (if a cinnamon roll and dinner roll had a baby and the baby was stuffed with sweet vanilla custard...very delicious and not too sweet). I was too busy eating to take any photographs of the foods we ate, sorry.
We visited each country at EPCOT. Yam made passports for The Colonel and I.
When we arrived in a country, we had a representative sign, draw a picture and stamp our passports...we got in line with the rest of the kiddos. Some of the country representatives were impressed by our Yam-made passports (I know I was. Yam had researched and added "Thank You" in each of the country's language at the bottom of the passport page).
The Colonel and I remembered the interior of the Mexican pyramid. We ate in the restaurant over three decades ago.
I loved seeing all of the buildings and shops within each country. What surprised and impressed me was that each country had its own music playing and when you walked from one country to the next, the music never overlapped...the transition between the music was seamless.
We flowed from Mexico to Norway. I loved the buildings with grass roofs and the pretty wooden church. I also liked the statues of Norse Gods and the rune stones.
While in Norway, I stopped in their little shop and purchased some perfume. It is a light, clean scent. It is touted as the Essence of Norway. The perfume designer was there. His name is Geir Ness and his perfume is called Laila, named after his mother. He signed my perfume bottle, gave me a small gift of his perfume, signed a postcard of himself and then Yam took my photograph with Mr. Ness.
Not only did I get my picture taken with a real life Norseman, I had my picture taken with a huge troll.
China and Germany were our next stops.
We then made our way through Italy and Japan.
Next stops...Morocco and France.
The last two countries we visited were the United Kingdom and Canada.
We also watched the American Adventure program. It was the story of American history told by animatronic Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain. It was well done and got your patriotic juices flowing.
We went on six rides during our EPCOT visit. Living with the Land was a slow and easy boat trip through different areas of gardening. Some of the food grown in the gardens was served in EPCOT restaurants. Journey into Imagination was a gentle ride through the senses. We used one of our Fast Passes for the ride Soaring Around the World. It was one of our favorites. We sat in a suspended seat as the ride took us flying about places around the world. Not only did we fly about areas but there was the sensation of wind and scents associated with whatever area we were soaring over. When we flew over the Taj Mahal, it smelled like roses and when we were over a herd of elephants in Africa, it smelled of dust and earth. The two rides based on space were interactive (we used our other two Fast Passes here). We pushed buttons and pulled on joysticks as we flew around the Moon and landed on Mars. We pulled some G-forces on the Mars simulation ride. There were many warnings about the Moon and Mars rides before we got on them (pregnant women should not ride it, people with heart or neck issues should not ride it, if you are claustrophobic steer clear, things like that). I was beginning to wonder if I was doing the right thing. It was not as scary/bad as I thought it would be. We also rode the Spaceship Earth ride. You rode slowly through time and the stages of communication (cave drawings to satellites). That was interesting and well-done. I liked it especially since my college degree is in communications.
We had a full day and we will always cherish the memories we made with Yam at EPCOT. The memories are even more special, as the tables were turned, and our daughter treated us to a fun-filled day at a Disney theme park.
THANK YOU SO MUCH YAM!
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