Rachelle's 30th at Epcot

Rachelle sent Dustin and I an event via Facebook about six months ago inviting us to her Epcot birthday party. We were automatically a 'YES'. First of all we wouldn't miss her 30th and secondly, Epcot is my favorite Disney park. 

Fast forward to January and Dustin and I are getting ready to spend a day traveling the world with Rachelle and friends. Thankfully the high last Saturday was 62 which I was happy about but I had no idea how to dress. I didn't want too heavy a sweater but not too light of one. Tough life, I know. I eventually threw on a cardigan and my fanny pack and we ran out the door. 

We were first to arrive at the park which makes sense since we do live the closest. We got there just as they opened at 9am. We got right on Spaceship Earth. I'm talking a zero minute wait! Then we hopped over to Soarin' which only had a 30 minute wait. The last time we went on that ride we waited almost a couple hours. Ridiculous! But this time around it went pretty fast. They also changed it up. I believe last time we flew over California. This time around we flew over different parts of the entire world. It was really cool and is hands down my favorite. 

After we got off the ride we met up with the rest of the group. They were finishing breakfast in the cafeteria area. We all went on 'Living with the Land' ride since it was nice and slow and would allow their stomachs to digest. 

Next up we tried some Coke products around the world. I enjoyed a pineapple Fanta (forgot where it's from) and a strawberry soda from Zimbabwe. I don't know why everyone's first reaction when they try one that is awful is to immediately peer pressure everyone else to taste it's awfulness, but that's how it works. Ha!

We then added two more to our group and went to ride on the Finding Nemo ride which Dustin and I had never been on. It was a cute ride but I still don't understand why it was so damn dark in the waiting area. I mean, I practically needed night vision goggles. For realz.

It was now time to travel the world with our first stop being Mexico. Thankfully there was no wall up. I think we should just keep it that way (in Epcot and elsewhere). Everyone got their first drink of the day and some got Mexican food to go with it. 

Norway was next and for me it was the most memorable food wise. Matt was hell-bent on trying their school bread and Viking coffee (Kamora coffee liqueur and Bailey's Irish Cream) . Dustin and I waited in line with him because we were going to buy this round. The more I stood in line the more I, too, wanted to try the Viking coffee but instead of school bread I opted for a slice of cinnamon loaf. And OH MY GAWD what a good choice I made. That Viking coffee was delicious (and the first alcoholic drink I've had in seven or more years). Dustin and I split the cinnamon loaf which was sad because I totally could have eaten a whole one all by myself. Ha!

Norway is also where I almost got kidnapped. Kidding. Kind of.

So these two nice looking girls came up to us asking if we'd take their picture and Dustin immediately pointed to me and said "she's the one you want". I took the girl's phone and took a photo of the girls and the rest of their group. I thought I'd just give back the phone and that would be that. They then complimented my "Crazy Cat Lady" shirt, my cat Vans, and fanny pack. I was overwhelmed by all of it and of course smiled and thanked them. But there was a part of me that was like are they genuinely  just being nice or do they want to lure me into some kind of cult? Ha! I'm probably overreacting. It was then that Dustin came and saved me and we went our separate ways. Although Rachelle and Bobbie saw them in the women's restroom later in the day and they asked where I was. Umm. 

Next up was China! The gang ordered drinks while Dustin and I tried some orange chicken. It was good but not impressively good. Then it was on to Germany for beer and brats! Matt went a little crazy with the mustard so when Rachelle went to bite into it it got all over her shirt. Thankfully Sam had a great idea to just move her 'Happy Birthday' button to cover it up. Boom! It's like it never even happened. 

Dustin and I had been waiting to eat lunch in Italy. We thought we could buy pizza-by-the-slice somewhere but they don't offer it anywhere. You have to go inside and sit down in a restaurant if you want pizza. What the hell Italy?! Where's the complaint card? This actually happened last time we were at Epcot but Dustin swore up and down that it was now available. Womp womp. Dustin and I ended up going over to England for some fish and chips. 

We swung back over to Japan where we got to see two drum performances. Those women were so badass. I loved watching them do their thing. Dustin of course was air drumming the entire time. Also, while in Japan I got peer pressured (ok not really) into getting my very own pearl opening. Matt  and Rachelle know how obsessed I've become with Vantel Pearls by Mother Shucker recently that they nudged me into just going for it. I got to pick out my oyster, learn a Japanese phrase (which I mastered by the way), and of course witness the birth of my pearl. I got a size 7 white pearl! Woo! Now I have to figure out what to do with it. 

The last stop (for us anyway) was Morocco. This is when Jerry entered our life. He is the cutest little squirrel who is living like a king. In the 10 minutes we were sitting outside Dustin, Bobbie, and I witnessed him eat a piece of bread and french fry. He would sit right next to people without hesitation. Clearly he knows what he is doing. I swear he is living a better life than all of us. Dustin and I were beat and decided to head on home.

It was such a fun day. I'm glad we were all able to get together to celebrate Rachelle. Thirty isn't so bad especially when you bring it in like she did!