Bonthorn: Living My Version of Life: Hello Mickey!

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Hello Mickey!

By: Kam Wong/Gong Gong (guest post)

November 25th to 28th.

Me: Aila, which one do you like the most, Legoland, Magic Kingdom or Epcot?

Aila: Legoland!

Me: give me 3 reasons that Legoland is the best?

Aila: it has better and more rides; I play with Lego; and I don't know any of the Disney's.

To this 7 years old girl, Lego has more influence on her than Mickey Mouse's power.

The nine hours flight from Gatwick was not full. I watched three movies in the premium section of this Norweign Air and dozed on and off.

Aila ran to me from a distance once she saw me stepping out the gate in Orlando and jumped right on me like a monkey, clinging on my arms and legs like an orangutan, giving me a big hug and kiss.

That tiny body has the magic power to melt my heart and sweep away my tiredness.

Meanwhile, Tai was running around teasing me to catch him.

For the next three days, they would entertain me a lot better than the Mouse and the Duck in Orlando.

Disney's still can wield its magic over so many parents and grandparents to fork out a minimum of US$80 to dress up the children into the many characters that have been created.

And the little ones do look cute and pretty in those glitzy dresses. I just wonder if that is the little girl's fancy or the parent's fantasy.

Since 1928 when Mickey was born in a studio, it seems it has shaped the American psyche and convinced a huge number of people to wear the funny mouse ears on their head as a symbol of belonging to almost a cult. For it has brought joy to the nation and the world even in their recessions, distress and despair. And in a simple ride like flying with Dumbo, it draws smile even from the serious. For that one minute or so, Dumbo gives pleasure, fantasy and laughter. In real life, parents are like Dumbo, caring the young, giving laughter and happiness.

What a wonderful four days here in sunshine Orlando: seeing the kids putting a one hole in mini golf, yearning for more faster rides by Aila (she's a dare devil) while Tai is happy settling in the more traditional Spaceship Earth, Bonnie and Matt sliding back at night to get the adrenaline going in the Space Mountain and Fast Track Testing.

My heart smile, and Anjulia would have too.

And now, everyone is asleep in Anjulia Sue at the St. Augustine marina.

We'll set sail tomorrow, catching the right conditions going down south. I believe we'll anchor near Titusville and get back on land on Sunday to greet Anice's arrival.

The whole family will be together at the same time. How sweet can that be!