DAY 14
MON 10th JAN 2000
The plan
today is to get up early and go to Islands of Adventure.
Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans.
India wakes up in the night and is sick. She continues to
be sick at least half a dozen times during the night and
again in the morning. Islands of Adventure is put on
hold.
Tammy and I jump in the car and drive to the Crossroads
to pick up a few groceries (and beer) and to get India
something to settle her stomach. While out we visit the
World of Denim and pick up some jeans for ourselves. I
get a pair of 501's for $29.99, a real bargain compared
to UK prices.
On return India is still really bad, so Grandma and
Georgia go for a walk around and to visit the playground
while Tam and I shut the curtains and try to keep as
quiet as possible while India catches up on some much
needed sleep. Tam soon falls asleep as well, so I leave
them to it and catch up with Grandma and Georgia who have
been having a rare old time of it in the playground. They
have being playing hide-and-seek and tag. I suspect that
Georgia wanted to stop playing long ago but Grandma is
having too much fun.
We head off to Muddy Rivers (the bar by the swimming
pool) and enjoy ham subs and beers while sitting in the
rocking chairs on the porch.
Georgia wants to go swimming so Grandma stays with her
while I wander off for a look around. This turns into a
wonderful hour just strolling around and video taping in
Magnolia Terrace. The sun is shining and there is a
lovely warm breeze blowing. The more I visit WDW the more
I think that this is an enormous part of the pleasure for
me now. Not just the theme parks or water parks or
Pleasure Island but the beauty and tranquillity of the
resorts and other areas.
The two areas of Dixie Landings are very different in
appearance and feel. Alligator Bayou is rustic, with
winding paths and walkways surrounded by trees and
vegetation, while Magnolia Terrace is altogether more
formal and spacious. Southern style mansions with
fountains and lawns alongside the banks of the Sassagoula
River. Both are lovely but some of the Bayou buildings
are closer to the food court and main bus stop.
Eventually India and Tammy surface. India is feeling a
little better for her sleep so I take her to the food
court where she feels up to eating some fruit.
We meet the others on Ol' Man Island and India paddles
her feet in the water.
We have a family discussion to decide what to do for the
rest of the day. My suggestion of visiting Hooters is
rejected (can't think why) in favour of going to see Toy
Story 2 at the cinema, after which Tammy and I will go on
to Pleasure Island while Grandma will take the girls home
for an early night.
Just as we are about to set off India is sick again but
immediately afterwards says she feels much better. I
suspect that is because she doesn't want to jeopardise a
trip to the cinema but we will see how it goes. We get
the boat to Downtown Disney. This really is the most
pleasant way of travel and the fresh air does India a lot
of good.
Toy Story 2 is excellent. It is unusual for a sequel to
be better than the original. Tammy is very enthusiastic
about it, which is a great compliment as it is unusual
for her to be so upbeat about a film. I think it has
something to do with when the second Buzz calls Hamm a
slotted pig. This tickles her fancy for some reason and
she keeps saying it all night, although I must say that I
take exception to continually being called a pig. Just
because I suggested a visit to Hooters, purely for
educational purposes you understand, I am interested in
the cultural differences in the approach our two
countries take to the role of women in the workplace.
What do you mean you don't believe me? I am hurt and
offended that you would think that I could possibly have
any other reason.
We walk Grandma and the girls to the West Side bus stop
with India looking a lot better. Hopefully a good nights
sleep will put her right.
Tam and I go on to Pleasure Island, starting out in the
Comedy Warehouse. I have not seen this in many years and
I enjoy it more than I remember. 'Improv' (God I hate
that word) usually leaves me cold as I sometimes feel
faintly embarrassed by the whole thing, but this is
better than I expect.
On to the Rock 'n Roll Beach Club. A very good band are
playing to about 5 people. It is only 8:00 so that
probably explains it. We leave for the Jazz club where we
eat a cheese dip sort of thing while watching an
excellent band called Blue Dice. A 4 piece brass section
boosts the sound, I wouldn't call it jazz exactly, more
blues.
A visit to 8 Trax reminds us just how old we are and we
beat a hasty retreat to the Rock 'n Roll Beach Club. the
band are just finishing, so another beer and a couple of
records later we are leaving for the bus stop. Another
attempt to reach Islands of Adventure will be made
tomorrow.