This trip gave us a much needed lift. Three months ago, we never imagined it could materialize. And as usual; I'm not going to bore you all with minute details; only highlights.
Wednesday, December 14: Our flight left at 10:50 and it was non-stop on SouthWest. Going through the airport was eery because it was empty (as opposed to pre-Katrina). It was our first time flying since 9/11 and security was definitely different this time. As we flew out of the New Orleans area; the area just amazed us. From the airport, through the Metairie area, there were many blue tarps, but green grass, and trees. From the Orleans parish line, all the way through Mississippi, the area was dead. Brown. Lifeless.
We arrived in Orlando an hour and 40 minutes later and were greeted by our Quicksilver driver, who was from.....Rodrigo and Tatiana...........Brasil! He took us to a 7-11 to get Coke and beer, but I got the impression maybe he didn't want to stop............?
We check in Port Orleans Riverside, and our room was in Alligator Bayou. Don seemed to like the resort and he liked the room. Only thing both of us didn't like was the fact we were in building 25, and it was a hike to the lobby. We unpacked and put up our lights in the windows. We were the only ones who did this and ours were purple, green, and gold. We decided to take a nap; we have been going virtually non-stop since Katrina hit. A 1 hour nap turned into three hours! I guess we needed it....... I got up, showered, made my face and hair up, and we headed to Wilderness Lodge to eat at Whispering Canyon. Don enjoyed the meal (I'd been there before). We then walked Downtown Disney and headed back to the room.........I forgot, Don pinched his sciatic nerve as we got out at the airport
Day 2 later..........I need to get the boys up for school.
Wednesday, December 14: Our flight left at 10:50 and it was non-stop on SouthWest. Going through the airport was eery because it was empty (as opposed to pre-Katrina). It was our first time flying since 9/11 and security was definitely different this time. As we flew out of the New Orleans area; the area just amazed us. From the airport, through the Metairie area, there were many blue tarps, but green grass, and trees. From the Orleans parish line, all the way through Mississippi, the area was dead. Brown. Lifeless.
We arrived in Orlando an hour and 40 minutes later and were greeted by our Quicksilver driver, who was from.....Rodrigo and Tatiana...........Brasil! He took us to a 7-11 to get Coke and beer, but I got the impression maybe he didn't want to stop............?
We check in Port Orleans Riverside, and our room was in Alligator Bayou. Don seemed to like the resort and he liked the room. Only thing both of us didn't like was the fact we were in building 25, and it was a hike to the lobby. We unpacked and put up our lights in the windows. We were the only ones who did this and ours were purple, green, and gold. We decided to take a nap; we have been going virtually non-stop since Katrina hit. A 1 hour nap turned into three hours! I guess we needed it....... I got up, showered, made my face and hair up, and we headed to Wilderness Lodge to eat at Whispering Canyon. Don enjoyed the meal (I'd been there before). We then walked Downtown Disney and headed back to the room.........I forgot, Don pinched his sciatic nerve as we got out at the airport
Day 2 later..........I need to get the boys up for school.
. I hadn't seen her in eight years. This a very good friend of mine; we met on our honeymoons one marriage, and 15 years ago, on the Sovereign of the Seas. We talk once a month but never get to visit since she lives in California. Johnna is the one who posted a message for me right after Katrina hit. We visited for a while, went to eat at Kona, and went back to meet her on the beach to watch the fireworks. We wound up chatting in their room until late....but Don's surprise of this was better than any diamond he could have given me. What were the chances of she being in the same car on the monorail as us?
. He could have stayed at the room and I would have been fine and even gone to check out the deco at the EPCOT resorts without him. And I could have spent more time with Johnna.
You weren't there on the days I was there then! :lol: 
