Featured Quote: Stone Ruins

"Thou are the ruins of the noblest man / That ever lived in the tide of time."

Julius Caeser (circa 1599) 3.1.254
William Shakespeare

Ruins of a stone house in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

The Story of Busch Gardens, Part III

In my last post, I thought about how Busch Gardens Williamsburg's mini-version of Italy seems to have sprung to life after passing through the lens of romance and nostalgia, like a transplanted immigrant fondly remembering the Old Country. But isn't that true of all of the countries?

Take Ireland, for instance. Rather than a replica of the village in County Kerry, Killarney breathes life into the memories and tall tales of great-grandmother Siobhan or great-great-uncle Seamus. The best of every old memory of Ireland, from crumbling castles to bustling pubs. 

Replacing the boring Hastings section of the park in 2001, Killarney brings energy and beauty in a sweet homage to old Eire.

You cannot walk a step in Killarney without finding yourself surrounded by brilliant greenery and the sound of Irish reels and jigs. Celtic Fyre's hard shoe rhythms, coming from the Abbey Stone Theater, come without a sign of the potato famine or British interlopers. Except perhaps for the cute one buying the claddagh ring and Phil Coulter CD for his girlfriend at the Emerald Isle gift shop. Which, by the way, is the best gift shop in the entire park! You can find real Irish imports there like Waterford crystal, tweed hats, wool sweaters, and even Irish-made packaged snacks.

Or take Germany, where phantasmal castles, colorful may poles, and vivid garden patches create the land, where the modernity of high-tech coasters and motion-simulated rides give way the aura of ancient legends. Even the brand-new coaster Verbolten (which opened on May 18), whose cars resemble classic European touring automotives, features a story line of modern transportation in a losing battle with the Black Forest.

The huge Festhause in Oktoberfest has always been dramatic, but when I first visited in the 90s, it housed a nice cuckoo clock shop and a gigantic ballroom where live performers would serenade luncheoners with traditional German songs and dances. Cute, but it got old pretty fast. Now, the ballroom's walls sport quaint little cottage fronts that create the feeling of being in the town square of a little German village. 

A new show, Entwined, has even opened on the central stage. It's a children's musical play based on several of the Grimm Brothers' fairy tales rolled into one playful jumble.

Germany is coming back to life!

Though Ireland and Italy remain my favorite countries at the Gardens, during my time in Germany I had to constantly resist the urge to go dancing around the May Pole.

First Trip to the Magic Kingdom

I visited Walt Disney World for the first time ever in 2009. After dreaming and saving for years, I couldn't believe that I was finally going! I enjoyed the anticipation itself, filling the months leading up to the trip absorbing The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, the Imagineers' guides to Disney World, the website TouringPlans.com, and the Disney Vacation Planning DVD (which I ordered for free online, woo hoo!), all the while making lists of my top rides and shows to visit, places to eat, ops to photograph, pretty spots to take a break, trivia to know. 

A Glimpse of Downtown Annapolis

Want to explore downtown Annapolis? I hope so, since it is one of the best and most unique downtown areas in Maryland. Park by St. John's College on King George Street -- free nine-hour parking! - and enjoy the walk to downtown past tiny private gardens and old historic homes.

During the summer, don't forget to attend St. John's College croquet match, between the Johnnies (St. John's students) and Mids (Naval Academy midshipmen).

Once you reach downtown, grab some coffe from City Cock Coffee, a local institution, and stop by the Kunte Kinte Alex Haley memorial by the water. Then, run across the street to the Museum Store, and check out the many nautical and historically- themed books, jewelry, and souvenirs, of which quite a few are locally crafted. Then, head up Main Street and pop into Hats in the Belfry,which is full of both traditional and quirky hats for men and women.

Don't miss Irish Traditions, which sells both Irish wares like Irish perfume, pottery, and clothing, as well as Irish-American, green doo-dads. If you are fortunate enough to come on a day when the manager is working, you will get a chance to hear a genuine Irish accent (County Wicklow, that is).

After leaving Avoca, walk right across the street to Francis Street, which will take you to State Circle. Enjoy the stroll around the circle until you get to Maryland Avenue, one of my favorite streets in Annapolis. 

Explore Evergreen Antiques is a tiny shop that sells carefully selected antiques, not junk, at reasonable prices. My favorite finds are an old secretary (the desk kind, not the human kind) and an old-fashioned silver tea set.

Farther down the street is the Annapolis Bookstore, which is a book worms dream, and the quintessential small-town book shop. (More details on it in my Alice in Wonderland post.)

Christmas garland on Main Street, Annapolis

By the way, Maryland Avenue, State Circle, and Main Street - and just about everywhere downtown - are decked out with live evergreen garlands and colorful wreaths, often of colonial inspiration, during the Christmas season. Each shop does it a little differently, some choosing thin, naturalistic pine garlands, while others hang thick branches heavy with ornaments and lights. Either way, a beautiful display that puts you in a Dickensian spirit right away.

For lunch, stop by Galway Bay Irish Pub on Maryland Avenue. The restaurant serves authentic Irish food in a setting that will transport you back to the little pubs from The Quiet Man. The pub even has gluten-free options: Molly Malone's mussels are delicious, if you can order them without getting tongue-tied. Each year, Maryland Avenue blocks off the road to host a charming Irish Festival, which includes street vendors and performers. It drives Maryland Avenue residents nuts, but what a show!

Later, head back to Main Street to spend a few hours at Clay Bakers to paint your own pottery. The pieces are already made, so you just have to slap on the paint. They take care of the kiln firing, and the pieces are ready in about a week. I am on a mission to paint a whole collection of eclectic dinnerware, which Clay Baker's large selection makes easily doable. My friends and I have a tradition of strolling over to 49 West for some great tea and coffee afterwards, serenaded by local jazz bands. The bar's street address is, incredibly, 49 West Street.

Later, enjoy a dinner cooked with locally-produced ingredients at Level on West Street, a tapas/small plates lounge with a delicious, ever-changing menu (including gluten-free!). Level inhabits a former townhouse, with brick walls, hip artwork and various cozy rooms. For your appetizer, you'll find artisan cheeses to savor, accompanied by sweet and savory garnishes. My favorite entrees are the cauliflower soup (seasonal) and the radish risotta. 

For a beverage, I love the blueberry gimlet (foreground). The drink tastes like a quenching ade, perfect for summer, and doesn't taste a bit like alcohol. Which can be a problem. 

After dinner, grab some more coffee and enjoy a beautiful nighttime stroll along the docks. Sit on the benches, or dangle your feet over the water and watch the boats drifting past. Or head back to Galway Bay for dessert and wine (I like the Montgras Sauvignon Cabernet and the Shiraz), a great way to end the evening.

*******

Still haven't kicked the shopping bug after wandering the downtown? Tomorrow, check out the Annapolis Town Center (pardon me, "Towne Centre"), a modern, preppy shopping center a short ways away. The stores include Anthropologie (gorgeous European-ish clothes, and worth the occasional splurge), Paper Source for scrapbooking and card-making fiends like me, a huge Whole Foods, and Menchies, a self-serve frozen yogurt stop with many refreshing flavors that you can heap altogether  in one bowl. I feel the sugar high coming on right now!

Scythian - World Music

Scythian is a high-energy, Washington D.C.-based band that fuses Celtic, Gypsy, French Canadian,  rock (you name it!) into one distinctive, addictive sound.

Comprised of the brothers Alexander and Danylo Fedoryka, Josef Crosby, Andrew Toy, and Ben-David Warner. On a bad day, the phenomenal fiddler Alexander Fedoryka could likely out-duel even Charlie Daniels.

Here is my absolute favorite number from them: Jack Dempsey!

Check out their website: http://www.scythianmusic.com/.

Featured Quote: Pirates!

"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me. 
We kindle and char, inflame and ignite. 
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho. 
We burn up the city, we're really a fright. 
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho. 

"We're beggars and blighters
and ne'er do-well cads, 
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho. 
Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads, 
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho. 
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me."

"Yo Ho," by George Bruns and Xavier Atencio (1967)

Written especially for the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Disneyland

Does this really need a caption?

A golden cross from the wreck of the Nuestra Senora de Atocha,
discovered in 1971. The piece is (at the time of this blog's
posting) part of a museum display at the Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, Florida.

Aboard the HMS Bounty

I am so excited, since I recently got the chance to see the ship "" "Bounty," a replica of an old British ship that used to voyage around the world over two hundred years ago. 

The ship was built in 1960 for the film Mutiny on Bounty (1962), starring Marlon Brando. Although a replica of the original ship, it was actually built one third larger than the original, to make room for camera crews and allow easier movement around the ship. The ship towered dramatically into sky, dwarfing people, cars, and even buildings.