Once upon a time, there was this college-aged girl, <that's better> who was just setting out on her college/university career. For the most part, she did very, very well. Well enough to make the Dean's List and enjoy the journey.
And she's humble too...
It was.... the middle of nowhere. You can Google Qyzylorda, Kazakhstan should you care to. She could share stories for days, weeks maybe, of adventures they had there- some fun, some interesting, some utterly terrifying.
I'm sure your experiences there were something out of a movie. Maybe a mixture of horror and history, but a movie nonetheless.
But one thing stood out to her, no matter where you stand on today's political issues and like to rant about healthcare, ummm.... newsflash, we have damn good healthcare.
They slice her open and take out her appendix with NOTHING, not even a shot of vodka.
Holy crap! Even in the wild west they'd have given you some whiskey or something!
Could she still wear Abercrombie and pull it off?
No.
Could she look cool in the cafeteria if she ran into her daughter who was also taking classes there?
Certainly not if she was trying to wear Abercrombie.
Would her student status finally get her an affordable copy of MS Office?
Yeah right.
A side discussion I'd love to have with you: What's the one place that's at the top of your Not-Yet-Tried-At-Disney List? I'm very curious what it is and WHY you haven't been there yet?
Beaches & Cream. 2 reasons... burgers and ice cream. 2 of my favorite food groups. It has been on the ADR list multiple times, but due to reasons of inconvenience or lack of time, it always gets canceled. I have it booked for our upcoming trip, but I'd give it about a 75% chance to once again fall short of the cut. If I ever stay at an EPCOT area resort it will be a must do, but since that hasn't happened yet, it just hasn't worked out where I feel like it is justifiably convenient to go there.
At 8:00, after we were done clowning around, our blinky-light thingy went off indicating that our table was finally ready- a full 40 minutes past the time of our ADR. Not a great start to a signature meal.
Nope, not a great start at all.
Very soon, the manager and our waiter, Mohcine, made their way to our table as well. So far, the service was fantastic in every way, and they were quickly making up for their less-than-stellar start.
Well, at least they seem to be excellent about providing courteous, personal service once you're seated in their restaurant. (and apparently, as we'll find out, not a moment longer)
I honestly have no idea what anyone else had, but this was a BIG celebration dinner for me and there was no WAY it would be without a glass of champagne.
So you had "J" at Abracadabar, right? Did this champagne start with a letter K???
That is because she grew up drinking fermented camel's milk, salted, dried cheese curds, liver and other mystery organs, and horse meat.
In other words, she ate crap that could make anything we produce and serve in the USA taste delicious.
She may be little, but she's a pretty big eater, and sadly, this actually ended up being not quite enough for her. In fact, unfortunately the only complaint I have about this place, other than the long wait to get seated was the portions. Let me be clear, our family are NOT big eaters. At all. When going out to regular places here at home, we almost ALWAYS split, sometimes even 3 ways, and while each ordering separate dishes here, it was still truly not enough food. I keep ranting about how they've pared down the portion sizes, but seriously, this wouldn't have even come close to being enough for a 16 year old boy or pretty much anyone else.
Yeah, that totally wouldn't work for me. I'm a big eater. Especially on vacation.
Thanks, Disney, I might have given 20% or even more, but something rubs me the wrong way when I'm FORCED to give something that should be freely and generously given if deserved or I'm moved to. Ah well, it was already totaled, too bad, so sad.
I know... I'm the same way. I pretty much always give at least 20% unless I'm somewhere that takes an automatic 18%. If they're going to do it for me, I'm certainly not going to add to it.
Grand total for 4 people, 3 of whom left a skootch hungry: $210.36. 1 appetizer, 4 entrees, one champagne, and 2 soft drinks. Overall review: MIXED. 1 Thumb Up of Steppe Approval, not worthy of a slobbering Homer.
In other words, it is a resounding "meh."
Ok, I'm glad you got to try Flying Fish. I'm sorry that it fell short in a few ways, but at least you were able to have a great time with friends and it seems that you certainly enjoyed your meal. I'm not a big fish eater either (I like mine breaded and deep fried) so I just can't see this being high on my list of places to try anyway. And if they have small portions and high prices... nope.
Looooong story (that I'm not getting into. You and Alison can ask me next week.)
Upshot is, fancy restaurant, wonderful food, great "show" (watching the chefs and sous-chefs)
I get served dessert at the end. one has a meringue. Obviously just out of the oven... mmmmm.... a whisp of smoke still curling up from the peak of the meringue.
It almost looked like a little worm wiggling there!
It really looks like a little worm.
It
really looks like a worm.....
In retrospect, I suppose I should be happy that it was on top and not buried inside where I'd not notice it until I'd taken a mouthful.
Slimy, yet satisfying.
The knee had a huge clot which she threw causing a pulmonary embolism. Neat. Those things kill people.
Oh no! Scary. I'm glad there was an RN daughter able to fly half way across the country to help care for her.
Protip: Don't stay at the Ramada Airport Inn. Yes, my door is deadbolted.
And furniture was placed in front of it too, right?
I think Ramada has become one of those hotel brands that is an "only in case of emergency if there's nothing else within 100 miles" type of chain.
(Yes, I know. Instead of 300 pages long, it's 1 post. Sue me. Or thank me. Your choice.)
I don't have time for 300 pages... nor do I have time to sue. So thanks.
Looks good! I'm glad that it worked out that you could help out and still not miss out on your trip!
The bad news is that while searching for that method of payment, I realized that I didn’t get my Disney Visa Reward Card back from the server at FF!
Uh oh...
If you can, you need to lighten up. And order a drink.
Speaking of which, we did!
Just what you need after leaving $150 at a restaurant.
I had a very unimaginative, but potent, Rum and Coke.
How did this fall into the letter game? Are you cheating and going out of order, leaving out details, or just drinking extra drinks?
Disney does that, doesn’t it? Brings out the kid in everyone.
Thank you for having Bob call me up to have the house sing Happy Birthday to me. Sure, why not? I mean for the entire trip it was my UN-birthday. Pat and Marv even had pins to mark the occasion, but I’ll let them tell that part of the story. I did tell Bob after the song, that it was actually a graduation from Nursing School I was celebrating and he was genuinely thrilled for me. I also reminded him that I’d met him years before, and he actually REMEMBERED that! I kid you not, I told him I’d lived in Qrapistan and the last time I was at his show it was on my way home from there. He leaned over and told me privately to “carry on the good work and he was praying for me”. It is no secret that he is a praying man who plays for his church’s worship team on Sundays. (He has a webpage that tells his story.)
Really cool! I was looking forward to seeing him this summer, but given our resort move, it might not be terribly convenient. We shall see...
It was late, but I didn’t mind. It had been a great day full of family, friends, good food, fun- a perfect way to have celebrated a strong finish to a life goal.
It was indeed!
The Magic of Main Street- Morning to Midnight
That's a lot of M's.
No great loss; shopping sux.
Yes it does.
Great pictures of Main Street, the castle and fireworks.
Gah!
