OK, just to update progress on US tour:
Reached Orlando on Saturday (just). Had to get up at just after 5 am to get across to Miami Amtrak station from Miami Beach. Left plenty of time so made it with 30 minutes to spare. Amtrak is a cool way to travel - very comfortable with lots of space. AND also had comedy act thrown in - part way through the trip when the train braked for a station, the air conditioning unloaded all the water it had built up on a guy down the front of the carriage. Don't think he was too impressed. Just glad it wasn't me.
Reached Orlando Amtrak station 30 minutes late, which meant I missed the 1pm bus to downtown bus station. Only one bus per hour so had to wait in the heat of the day and then the next bus was 25 mins late. Aarrggh! Finally reached central bus station to find that no busses run to the hotel area north of Disney during the day - one in the morning to take you to Disney and one in the evening to take you back. Meant I had to spend extra cash on a taxi fare. Hotel was good though - just didn't have enough time to use all the facilities (fitness centre, pool).
Had to spend more money on another cab to get to the House of Blues for the Pat Benatar gig. Driver dropped me at the wrong place too (only about 5 minutes from the hotel) despite me telling him he'd got it wrong. Had time to order a beer and phone for another cab before he came back having realised his mistake. Finally got to Downtown Disney in plenty of time for the gig (GA so had to get to front of queue). Then found that being America, corporate interests again take priority over ordinary fans - if you spent $20 in the HOB shop or restaurant, then you got to go to the front of queue. To rub salt into the wounds, it then pissed down with rain on us. Fortunately we could shelter against the side of the building, which was more than the $20 crowd could. It was great watching them get soaking wet. When we finally got let into the venue, I think most of them were off trying to dry out, so got to be in second row of people from the front and not far from the middle of the stage.
Show was brilliant - Norwegian group Hangface opened and were ok. Pat and Neil were even better. Played all the classics as expected. Good to finally get to see them live having been a fan since the days of "Love is a Battlefield".
Having done the trip from the hotel to the venue in one direction, realised I could walk the distance quite easily, so had a nice stroll back. Stopped of at a pancake house. Wasn't too hungry so just ordered an omelette. Turned out to be the biggest omelette I've ever seen (4 or 5 eggs minimum I reckon). And it came with 3 free buttermilk pancakes. I tried my best but the omelette and one pancake was all I could manage. Still not used to American sized portions yet!
Spent Sunday at Disney's Epcot site. Lots of cool sciency stuff. Loved the Sea, Land and Imagination centres (despite the over the top commercialiation). How can they have an environmental exhibit sponsored by Nestle? Come to think of it, how to Disney think they can get away with the idea that they care about the environment? Did put over a good message though in their films and exhibits. Hope all those Americans there listened to all the stuff about global warming, the need to recycle, alternative energy sources, etc. Slightly ironic when you come out of a film show on recycling to have lunch, and find that everything is served on disposable plates, in disposable cups, with disposable plastic cutlery which all gets chucked straight into the trash bin. Maybe Disney's caterers should head upstairs from their location and watch the film themselves!
Change of hotel for Sunday/Monday nights - took the brave decision to use the same cab driver as on Saturday. Needed me to direct him to where I needed to go but it worked and he was cheap (probably too embarassed to overcharge).
Monday spent at Disney's Animal Kingdom - it was a coin toss between there and a trip out to the Kennedy Space Centre. Kennedy lost out 'cos of the additional $35 dollar cost of getting there and back. Anyway I love animals, so it was going to be interesting to see the Disnay take on zoos. Must say that I was impressed by most of the enclosures that Disney have set up. Plenty of space, lots of environmental enrichment, space for the animals to get away from public view, so overall was good. Still v commercial (of course). The edge of tropical storm Alberto threatened to spoil the day a bit but only really let go of its rain in one big hit. Drizzled most of the day but seeing as it is still warm, was drying out almost as quickly as I was getting wet. Didn't even need to bother with a waterproof coat. The only exception was when I was on the Kilimanjaro Safari (1st time). Really good exhibit simulating African savannah and doing a good job. Don't know exactly how big the area is but it takes a while to travel around in safari vehicle. Has various antelope, rhino (black and white), elephant, giraffe, cheetah, lion, warthog, .... In fact pretty much everything you'd hope to see on a real safari in Africa. Only problem was that half way round the storm really let go. Horizontal driving rain with visibility down to a few feet only. Expect everyone else in the park ran for shelter but we didn't have that choice. Just had to sit it out as the rain hammered in through the open sides of the vehicle.
First Blondie gig tomorrow - can't wait.
More updates to follow when I get some more computer time.