FROM: Wandering the World with Wally Published Mondays

World Showcase

Does Wally have a secret admirer? Having been jostled, stalked, and spooked, Wally isn't so sure, but he figures it's nothing a new wander can't cure. Today, Wally dallies in Mexico and Norway before he's brought up short once more by... fate?

- by Walter Octavius March, May 23, 2011

KUNGALOOSH!

And hello, my friend!

After my visit with Mayor Weaver and Scoop Sanderson on Main Street, U.S.A., I have decided to just let the mysterious person who is looking for me... find me. If they really need me, they will find me, I'm sure of it.

(Who knows, maybe they owe me money, but I doubt it.)

So, today, I think I will seek adventure in Epcot. Would you like to tag along?

Very well - let's get going.

Wandering the World (Showcase) with Wally

I am looking forward to strolling around the World Showcase today, and maybe taking in a few shows. I'd like to see Reflections of China, the Circle-Vision 360 film presentation. And maybe see the American Adventure - which (did you know?) uses more than 30 Audio-Animatronics figures? I really enjoy that show, quite patriotic.

Have I told you about the time I was asked to read the Constitution at Independence Hall in Philadelphia?

It was quite a few years back, before they had the Welcome America Celebrations, and I was asked to recite the Constitution, because I am such an honorable man and a citizen of the world. I think it was also because they needed a dashing hero type. But I digress...

Hola, Mexico!

Oh, here we are at the entrance to World Showcase. Which way should we go? Toward Mexico, or maybe we'll head the other way to Canada? What's that? You think you need a margarita? Off to Mexico it is, then.

Did you know that the tequila in your drink comes from a plant called the blue agave, or more commonly, the Tequila agave?

A man I knew kept one as a houseplant. It's rare for them to flower as houseplants, but his grew a 30 foot stalk requiring him to cut a hole in the greenhouse roof. This same plant flowered in the summer of 2006, after I visited him and spent the afternoon talking to the plant. I don't want to take credit, but I do have a way with words.

How is that margarita, my friend? What's that - you think you would like another?

Nonsense, let's keep walking.

Hei, Norway!

Oh, look, here's Norway, a splendid place to seek adventure!

See that building over there? It's called the Kringla Bakeri og Kafe. Notice the roof? It is a real sod roof, just like they have throughout Norway. I like that building not just for its authenticity, but for its sweet pretzels, as well.

Since we seek adventure, why don't we ride the Maelstrom? You've never been? Well, then, we have to ride it! We will board an old dragon-headed longboat from a Norwegian village on a fjord, then sail through a troll-infested swamp and out to the North Sea.

I love that mural on the wall here in the queue. I get a chuckle out of the Norwegian Cruise ship. I guess the Norse have always been a seafaring people.

Here is our boat! Climb aboard and have no fear. What's that? That is a troll, my friend, but we shall escape by sailing backwards, though it will mean us heading over the falls. Pretty nifty, wasn't it? And look a polar bear... another troll, too! I think we're now on the North Sea. These effects are quite wonderful. It really does feel as if we're caught in a storm!

Here we are at the end of our voyage. We disembark at this quiet little fishing village. Now wasn't that a fun ride? Aren't you glad you came along? I know. I enjoy that attraction very much also. I think it is...

A Mysterious Message for Wally

What? Excuse me, one second, that Cast Member just called my name. I'll be right back.

Well, my mysterious shadow has appeared again. The Cast Member told me that a young girl gave him a sheet of paper and instructed him to give it to me as soon as I stepped off the longboat. Let's go outside; we'll see what it has to say.

Let me unfold it, hmmm... very interesting. It says:

Do what? My goodness, this is frustrating.

Maybe we should head back to the resort and try to figure this out, and look at the other messages again. I really would like to know who has been leaving them for me.

What's that? You're going to stay and head over to Reflections of China? Very well, my friend, we will meet later.

Until next time, KUNGALOOSH! And keep your eyes open for Adventure!

More: WANDERING THE WORLD WITH WALLY