Ron in Orlando, Florida - Trip Down Memory Lane (again)

Me on main street at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Orlando, Florida, "The Happiest Place on Earth"

Hey folks, it's been a while since I've taken you on a trip down Memory Lane.  Well, here goes again. While looking through my thousands of photos for a particular photo that I wanted to post to my blog today I came across my photos for my trip in 2001 to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. 

The entrance to the Doubletree Hotel guest suites were we stayed - we each had our own rooms! I only share rooms with men - nothing personal Aunt Mabel

The recent tragic events at Orlando, Florida brought back memories of the first and only time I visited Orlando, Florida.

The really grand hotel where we stayed - like royalty!

Way back in the year 2000 I was awarded Best Guest Service Representative for my work at the Hampton Inn in Exton, Pennsylvania.  I didn't think I did anything extra ordinary but my boss felt that me coming in during Hurricane Floyd was worthy of note.  Oh how well I remember going to work during that hurricane, dodging downed live power lines that were dancing on the wind and rain soaked streets, encountering one flooded detour after another and almost narrowly missing getting my car flooded and floating down the street, only to arrive at the hotel that had no power. She put me in for the very prestigious award unbeknownst to me.  

The beautiful landscaping around the Doubletree Hotel where we stayed - egrets roamed around common as Philadelphia pigeons

A month later I was informed by phone from the vice president of the Hilton Hotel Corp that I was selected as one of their best guest service representatives.  My reward was an all expense paid four day trip to Disney World ("I'm going to Disney World!") in Orlando, Florida.  In addition to the all expense trip I received $500 and a plaque with my name on it as "Best Guest Service Representative" for the year 2000 (so long ago now isn't it?)  

The walkway around the Doubletree where we stayed - I LOVED IT!

Several things I remember about this trip.  First was that I had tickets for two but I couldn't find anyone to go with me.  Bill doesn't like to travel and none of my friends wanted to go with me.  Of course this was before I met my good friend Pat. He would have went with me! But this was many years before I met Pat so I searched around for someone to share that other ticket. The lucky recipient was my Aunt Mabel.  The wife of my Uncle Ed who was my father's older brother.  My Aunt Mabel was great company.  She always had a laugh and a smile and that deep southern accent she never lost (she was from the mountains of Virginia) as delight.  Of course sometimes she was hard to understand but her joy of life I always understood. And this was good for her because she couldn't make any more trips after this because of her health.  I am so glad that she had this last memory of a fabulous time in Disney World. 

My dear Aunt Mabel - always happy!

Another thing I remember was the two brothers who befriended me.  They were from Jordan.  The heavier brother managed Fess Parker's ("Davy Crockett! Davey Crockett" for those of you old enough to remember) in Santa Barbara, California. 

Unfortunately I don't remember their name but I do remember that they were both very Middle Eastern. And I remember very clearly the one brother who was the manager who was very friendly with me.  Perhaps too friendly but hey, I was by myself (my aunt stayed in her hotel room most of the time due to her physical limitations only came out for the evening functions the the luau at the hotel)

Aunt Mable at the luau

and the awards ceremony at the Epcot Center where I received my award along with other winners from across the United States.

Me receiving my award at the Epcot Center from the vice president of the Hilton Hotels

By the way, posting these pictures I am now filled with regret that I didn't have an iPhone back then when I could have taken videos! I'm veering off subject here again but could you imagine the photos and videos I would have now if I had an iPhone when I was growing up?  Literally millions! So maybe it's a good thing I didn't have one and only my Kodak camera with black and white photos, eight to a roll that took a week to process. Talk about ancient times.  But back to my adventure in Disney World.

Me and my Aunt Mable at the Epcot Center during the awards ceremony - I have to admit that the Hilton Hotel Corp treated us like royalty.  I LOVED IT!

So here I am "palling around" with two Middle Eastern types during my four day stay in Disney World.  This was in April 2001, six months before 9/11.  But you know folks, even back then I was a little bit uncomfortable with these guys.  The one guy (whose name I just cannot remember but it was a Muslim name like "Fareed" or something like that) was, as I said very friendly. His brother, not so much so.  But we made the rounds.  On the Merry-go-round. 

Me and "Fareed" on the Merry-go-round  in Disney World - 2000

Not a long line to get on that ride.

We took the river boat cruise to "Pirate's Island."  What I remember about that was how murky the water was and the only "pirates" we saw were mechanical, very fake looking.  

"Fareed" and his brother on the Pirate's river boat ride - we didn't see any crocodiles - wait!  Yes, we did see one!

I thought at least they could have Johnny Depp, aka "Capt. Jack Sparrow", make an appearance.  HA! Dream on Ron.

Me on the "Pirates" cruise - I still have that T-shirt and pants - hat is long gone - looking at these pictures I do get around don't I for someone who hasn't traveled much during his lifetime

We also did the roller coaster ride through the mountain thing.  That was sort of interesting being jerked around in total darkness (get you mind out of the gutter). 

Did we meet Mickey?  You bet!  But I didn't meet Goofy, who is my favorite Disney character.  

Me, Mickey Mouse and Aunt Mable - we made it!

Another thing I remember clearly was how humid it was during our stay.  I couldn't live in a climate like that all the time folks, just couldn't do it.

But all in all it was a wonderful trip.  Disney World was everything it is hyped up to be.  One thing that amazed me but probably should have, was the diversity of the folks who throng the streets of the Magic Kingdom.

A typical day on Main Street in Disney World. hardly any elbow room

  

So many people from different countries.  I heard a report that the Orlando gunman had originally targeted Disney World for his murderous carnage spree but decided against it because security was too tight. Can you imagine? Thank God that didn't happen.

I probably will never go back to Disney World again but I am so thankful that my manager was appreciative of my efforts at the hotel she managed.  She will always be a gem in my mind.  I don't know where she is now but her name was Beth Mancini and I wish her and her family nothing but the best. Maybe she'll read this blog posting and know how thankful I am.

The Hampton Inn Team, Exton, PA 2001 (I'm standing to the right of Beth Mancini)

I worked at the Hampton Inn for almost four years.  I left a few months after 9/11 due to a dispute with the new assistant manager, the details of which I will not go into at this time.  

Beth Mancini at her desk - one of the best bosses I ever had!

Even though I left under unpleasant circumstances I will always have fond memories of my time at the Hampton Inn and working for Beth, my co-workers (except for that one person) and the guests.

Linda West (sales director), one of the owners of the Hampton Inn and Beth Mancini 2001 - great people!

Working for a hotel is and has always been fascinating, though at times frustrating.

To this day I still work as a guest service represent (or "agent" as we call the front desk clerk now, all so politically correct don't  you know).  I won't be winning any trips to Disney World these days folks but you know what?  Every day is like a vacation day to me now, every day.  

Maybe someday in the future, when I'm wasting away in an assisted care facility (God, I hope not) or as a lonely old man, I will remember these days as the Glory Days.  You never know.  But I will never forget that trip to Disney World in Orlando Florida during that magical time pre 9/11. 

I always manage to find a "passive friend" whenever I'm on one of my adventures

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

Me at Command Central

Another Thanksgiving is here (my 70th) and I am wishing every one of my blog readers and followers a very happy thanksgiving!

I will not be celebrating Thanksgiving in the traditional manner at home like many families.  Someone has to work!  I'm not complaining though.  For most of the past twelve years I have worked at the hotel (I've worked at three different hotels since I retired from banking) on Thanksgiving Day.  I don't mind.  Really, I don't mind.  Actually, the guests in the hotel seem to be extra nice on Thanksgiving Day.  Most of the guests are older folk who are in town to visit their adult children and grandchildren.  For understandable reasons they prefer to leave their adult children's house after the Thanksgiving Feast.

I, as the hotel front desk representative par excellence provide a welcome and comfortable respite from the hustle and bustle and the rambunctious, screaming kids at Thanksgiving.  And yes, I did say "par excellence" in reference to my work at the front desk of the hotel.  How many of you can say that you won a trip to Disneyland (for four days, for two, all expense paid, check for $500 and $100 in Disney money?)  Uh huh, that's what I thought.....NONE.  When I worked at the Hampton Inn in Lionville, PA I was awarded the Best Guest Service Representative Award for the fourth quarter of1999.  The first and only guest service representative to win that award at that hotel.  Hey, I can't service a car or lay bricks but I can provide the BEST guest service experience and for that work skill I am forever thankful.

Ron on duty Hampton Inn, Lionville, PA 1999

The Hampton Inn Team Lionville, PA 1999

Two of my favorite Thanksgiving guests - Bonnie and Barbara from NYC 1999

Ron settles the cash drawer - my job wasn't all charm and smiles - lots of HARD WORK.

My Award - the only time in my life I ever got an award (or "thanks") for a job well done

I was going to provide a list of everything I am thankful for this year but I'll just shorten it down to one (or two) items.

I am thankful for reaching the age of 70 in reasonably good shape (brain and body still working, albeit slowing down and getting progressively creakier).

I am also thankful for my Bill.  We've been together a long time (47 years) and we still enjoy each other's company tremendously.  Both of us are part of a whole.  One without the other cannot exist.

As regular readers of my blog postings know, I write just as thought come into my head thus the screed about my BEST GUEST SERVICE AWARD.  Hey, if I can't toot my horn, who can?

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Ready for work at the hotel 1999 (from my home base) - I go to work again today

The Gently Falling Rain

It is near midnight, the rain is falling gently outside and I sit at my computer typing my blog for the day. Earlier today I was complaining about the cloudy and rainy weather but I take that back now. Sure, Bill has to mow the lawn every three days now but this rain is wonderful for the area farmers. Since we moved to Delaware in November of 2006, the area has suffered from a drought. It was so sad the last two summers to see fields of corn withering and drying up because of the lack of rain. Not so this year. The corn, soybeans and wheat are flourishing. And, as Miss Martha says, “That is a good thing.”

Even so, the gray skies this morning sapped all the energy out of me. I wanted to finish up building my two raised flower beds that border our backyard. Instead, I watch one of the DVD’s I had from Netflix. It was called “Yossi and Jagger.” The story was about two gay Israeli soldiers. The movie was interesting but it ended in death and sadness. I’m ready to see a gay themed movie that has a happy ending. Aren’t we there yet?

Later in the morning Bill and I visited our friend Bob in Milton. I love checking out his neighbor’s garden. She has a real eye for garden design and I’m always anxious to see what new plants she has in her garden. I’ll have to take pictures and feature them on this blog. She also has a small pond. Seeing her pond brings back memories of my three ponds I had at our home in Pennsylvania. I wish I could have a pond where we’re living now but that would not be practical. We live out in the open with sun all day (when the sun is out of course.) A pond should be partially shaded. If not, the pond will quickly develop algae which will kill the fish. Another problem is that fish in the pond would be totally exposed to predators, like cranes. Even in Pennsylvania I had a visit from a crane which just about wiped out my fish. I haven’t completely given up on the idea of a pond but not at this time. A garden is not complete until it has the gentle sounds of a pond waterfall.

I called my Aunt Mabel this morning. She recently returned from the hospital and nursing home. She’s not doing well. She will be 88 years old this year. I tried to call my Mom but couldn’t get hold of her. I found out later from my sister-in-law that she had a 10:30 am doctor’s appointment. I’ll try calling again tomorrow. My Mom and Aunt Mable worked for over 20 years in the frozen foods division of Pepperridge Farms. They worked in layer cake on the conveyor belt. They didn’t actually work ON the conveyor belt but they made sure the cakes were properly iced. Yes, they did a Lucy and Ethel thing with the speeded up conveyor belt. Oh the stories they tell. My Aunt Mabel reminded me of the trip I took her to Disney World in 2001. I had won a guest service award from the Hampton Inn where I worked the front desk. One of my prizes was a trip for two for four days at Disney World. I couldn’t get anybody to go with me until my Mother suggested my Aunt Mabel. I’m glad we made the trip because it was her last trip before her health started to fail her. I’m glad I asked her. We had a good time and memories to last us a lifetime.

Lately it seems that so many of my friends and relatives are facing health issues. This is just another reminder to me to appreciate every day I have on this good earth, rain or shine.