Ines in Wonderland
I know, I know, I haven't blogged in ages and I still have to finish the Sunday report from Asylum 7 and believe me, I will!!
It's just... I've been so busy these past weeks/months...
On December 6, 2011 I packed my bags, left family, friends and my dear Phoebe back in Germany and got on a plane to Orlando, Florida. After some difficulties with our last flight, we arrived at Vista Way, the Welcome Center of The Walt Disney International Programs around midnight. We got our Welcome Package and got brought to our apartments.
There's four complexes around here: Vista Way, Chatham Square, Patterson Court and The Commons. Most of the people from my arrival live at the Commons, which isn't the newest and nicest complex but the one with the best communication, cause most people live here, it's easier to meet up than having to travel from one of the other complexes over. It takes about 10 - 15 min by foot from Patterson Court and Chatham Square to The Commons and Vista Way is even farther from here, you have to take a bus. Also you can't visit another complex after.. I think 1 in the morning. So either you have to meet up with friends outside of the complexes, somewhere in Orlando, or you break the rules and risk getting terminated.
My roomie Sarah from the UK is awesome, we get along very well, I'm glad I have her! I live in a 8-person apartment and the other girls (4 Japanese girls, 1 Mexican and 1 Italian girl) are nice but a bit weird sometimes...
The first few days went by pretty quickly. We had some events we had to attend but most of the time we had off.
We spent the time exploring our environment, discovering the close Outlet Mall (5 min by foot), the huge Florida Mall (30 minutes by taxi), a quick tour of EPCOT and our first park, Disney's Animal Kingdom!
After doing some rides (rollercoasters, simulations and a freaking awesome safari) we watched the Lion King show and headed back home. The park closes around 5 already, which is for the animal's safety and comfort. Also there are no fireworks in this park, due to the same reason.
After a while we got allocated our trainers and had a few days of getting to know our new workplace and our colleagues. There's a lot of people I really like and also some I don't click with very well. It's normal I guess, so I'm not that concerned.
The people from my arrival are pretty cool, although most of them are younger than I am. It's easy to find things to do in this city, on our days off we have the opportunity to visit all the Disney Parks for free, go shopping, see other parks such as water parks and the Universal Studios, which we visited in our second week. Also on the housing compound there's a pool, a gym and other recreation areas such as a tennis court, beach volley ball field, basketball court etc. which you can use for free.
Seeing Hogwarts and meeting Spiderman has been a childhood dream of mine but nothing compared to my first visit to the Magic Kingdom. I literally had tears in my eyes all morning. The castle is so gorgeous, it's breathtaking! When I went to see Mickey's Philharmagic, a 4D movie experience and Ariel appeared on the screen, I started sobbing uncontrollably. And I was more excited meeting Ariel and Eric than I had been before my first Supernatural convention *phew*
The fireworks were really amazing and my day was truly magical <3
My last stop so far has been Disney's Hollywood Studios, which is okay, not my favourite but still very entertaining :)
Our outfits are decent, I like the dresses, it could be much worse (Canadian girls have to wear lumberjack shirts and a weird pants/skirt thingy which just looks disgusting, also hiking boots... yes.... hiking... boots... in fucking Florida.......)
Of course I miss my family and friends but so far my first month in Orlando kept all the promises and made me enjoy my life and job for the first time since forever...
Here's to another great 11 months!!