Around the world in, oh...2 days.

Or, what I learned at Disney:

1.  You can never really go home again.  See, when I was young, I used to live in Orlando way back in the day, as in, back when there were "E" tickets, as in "E-ticket ride".  You know what? I don't ever remember it being hot there.  I mean, I KNOW it was, but I don't remember it as a defining aspect of my life.  Let me say here that it's hot in Orlando, even on Memorial day weekend.  See, look:

That's us, in Epcot.  See that sheen of sweat on my cheeks?  That's because I'm already miserably hot.  It's 9:30 am, and we've been there all of maybe 30 minutes.  It's got to be 5 million degrees in the shade and it's only 9:30 am.  It is about this time that we disover that none of the shops (ie: the air-conditined bits) open until 11 am.  I'll let you picture for yourselves the whiney, pouty mess I was by 11am.

2.  I've learned that even the most charming, intelligent, adorable 4-year-old on the planet:

...turns into a screaming, apoplectic, terrifyingly angry little monkey after about an hour in the Magic Kingdom.  Take it from me folks, wait until they are at least 6 years old...or else.  Oh, and don't feed them after midnight.

3.  I learned that Canada is unspeakably beautiful, and so did the sock.

But I also learned that 360-vision is not for me.  Too much movement without actually moving.  People, you can't really try to fool your brain that way without there being a consequence.  It knows better. 

4.  On a related note, I also learned that the crazy-wicked-do-it-again-and-again-and-again ride rider has left the building.  That building being my body, of course.  Somehow between 17 (the last time I was on a roller coaster) and now, I have become unable to take the aftermath of the rides I used to love so very much.  Yes, that's right, I have become the designated bag-holder sitting in the waiting area with all the terrifyingly angry 4-year-olds and their Moms (see #2).  Don't get me wrong, I TOTALLY did the Mad Hatter's Tea Party and Mission Space and so forth, but I was sorry each and every time until about halfway through the trip when I decided that I should obey my inner ear and take the opportunity to knit in public at Disney.

5.  I learned that when the really, really cute Italian boy in "Italy" tells you that it is really authentic gelato, he's lying.  It doesn't make him any less adorable, and it doesn't mean he's a bad person, but it's what they pay him to tell you and who cares anyway, just keep asking questions so that he will keep talking to you in that really cute Italian accent.  But do remember that he's half your age and you are married.

6.  Also important to remember is that if you have a fiber fetish -- and I'm not saying that I do -- but if you do, try not to drool all over the stunningly beautiful rug being woven on the incredibly cool, giant rug loom by the equally stunningly beautiful man in "Morroco".  You can't take either of them home, so keep it together.  Most especially in front of Mothers and Sisters-in law who might not yet know the depth of your fiber insanity.

7.  You can take any number of crazy "Sock-goes-to-____" photos, and because it is Disney, not only will no one treat you as if you are insane, they will offer to help you.  Oh don't get me wrong, they will probably THINK you are insane, but they are a well-trained lot down there and will not show one iota of their true feelings.  I couldn't actually bear to let anyone take these for me, but they did try.  So here goes -- in addition to Canada, the sock went to:

China

   

and Germany

and Italy

and Japan.

Yes, it also went to Morroco, but I was busy trying to keep my hands in my pockets and out of my wallet because, well, they had wool there, and apparently, my insanity is such that even though it was 5 million degrees in the shade, I still couldn't keep my hands off the wool.    Oh, but it did, of course, go to the Magic Kingdom.

And it also got some lounging by the pool time once it was done.

As you might guess, this lasted only as long as it took to take the picture because, as I may have mentioned, it was hot there.

Comments

[Colleen]

Ah, Disneyworld. Those pictures make it seem more "themepark-y" than I remember.

Yes, it never ceased to amaze me that the Happiest Place on Earth overstimulates kids to the point of meltdown.

[Rebekah]

Sounds like that sock had a fantabulous time, even despite the heat.

[claudia]

You may get the award for sock-around-the-world pix.

[elisa]

Your pictures are so crisp that it almost looks as if you are standing in front of a phony backdrop! I love the sock pictures, and the finished sock is just gorgeous, darling!

I'm glad you're back!

[melanie]

I am ALSO glad you're back. Next Disney trip should be planned for February, k?

[maryse]

i've never been to orlando...i definitely have to go. but i will go in the winter.

welcome back!

i bought a drop spindle -- you'll have to show me.

[K. Anne]

I found out myself that I too have gone the way of ride sitter-outer. Sigh.

Love that well-traveler sock!

[Illanna]

I didn't read and I just looked at the pictures and though "wow I wonder how the sock didn't GROW between Germany and Japan! You'd think that she would knit A LITTLE on the long plane ride!" Then I realized you were at Disney. Ahem... DUH.

[Amy]

On a whim, I googled knitting at disneyworld and found this post. I figured someone had to have done some knitting while waiting in lines at at least one pf the parks. Great photos!

p.s. Congratulations on the new wee one. He looks adorable, and the bee bootees are very cute.