Asyouknowbob, Steve and I will be Writer Guests of Honor at Oasis 23 in Orlando, from May 28 to 30, which we’re really looking forward to, and if you’re in the area, or close to in the area, you should come on by. We get south so seldom, and we want to meet everybody!
In an excess of optimism, we scheduled several days in town after the convention in order to do things like booksignings and/or library talks, as is our pleasant habit, and also to play the tourist a little.
Alas, the store that seemed most likely to host a book-signing — Urban Think — is going out of business at the end of this month (*mourns the loss of yet another independent bookstore*). The Orlando area seems to be well-served by used bookstores, but if there’s a new bookstore inside the city limits, I don’t find them.
So — appeal Number One for on-the-ground assistance. Anybody local have a favorite bookstore we could contact in hopes of setting up a signing?
Appeal Number One, part A: Anybody have contact with a local public library? We like to talk at libraries.
Appeal Number Two: There is so dern much to do in Orlando that I can’t figure out a way to filter it. I very much doubt that Magic Mouse Land is my cup of tea, but Epcot Center seems like it would be interesting. People who have been there — and you are legion! — what’s to do in Orlando for two middle-aged fuddy-duddies who will be in from Maine and doubtless wilting with the heat? We don’t have much money, but it would be a shame to spend what’s likely to be my one and only visit to Florida in a hotel room.
Orlando, a land of shopping. But also, other things.
I really enjoyed Sea World. My favorite parts of SW, were being able to watch interact with wild sea mammals. They have a huge rehab tank, where they rehab injured sea mammals until they are healthy & can be returned to the wild. Occupants vary, obviously, but there are usually some dolphins and when I was there a pilot whale (they are smaller whales). You could buy fish to feed them, and if you were creative you could touch them (food in one hand held way to one side, dart in to touch with other hand at same moment as they grab food). I spent a lot of time at this tank.
There was also an area where you could see the “back stage” killer whale tanks. Orcas that weren’t scheduled to be in the day’s show hang out and just get to be whales. I loved watching them just swim.
Another place you should rent a car and visit, if you have never been there, is the Kennedy Space Center. It’s about 2 hours from Orlando, but so, so, so worth the trip.
As for which parts of the Disney experience that you might enjoy. Epcot really is like a visit around the world. I really enjoyed the mexican food but even more so the atmosphere & ambiance of the San Angel Inn San Angel Inn simmers with romance under perpetual twilight where Mayan ruins lend an ancient ambience. Sit near the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros attraction and watch the boats drift by as part of this intimate dining experience.
You may also really enjoy Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom is one of the largest and highest quality zoos in our country. It’s a very well respected institution amongst the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. And it does have the Tree of Life.
Lately, I’ve adopted an attitude of viewing stores as museums of present history. I don’t buy much, but I do enjoy window-shopping.
Animal Kingdom sounds lovely — and that’ s a great tree.