Day 1363: World Market

When one of my friends suggested that we go to World Market on our Saturday off, I agreed right away, despite the fact that 1. I'd never been to World Market before and 2. I really had no idea what World Market even was. She was in Italy last semester though, and from the sounds of a store called "World Market," I figured she knew what she was talking about and that whatever was in the walls of the store, it would be great. 

And it was. 

Basically, the idea of World Market is exactly what it sounds like. It's a store filled with items that are found internationally, and according to my friends recently back from Italy, there are definitely some things you can't find elsewhere. 

Of course, me being me, I took it upon myself to photograph anything that I typically have found at Disney, since that would be the obvious comparison with never having been to Europe (or anywhere else really) before. You can find so many wonderful foods all around World Showcase, and it seems that I can find several of them right in my own backyard! 

The Marzipan is what I found first, and I soon after picked up some to bring home. They actually sell this same brand in the Germany Pavilion at Epcot, and it's been one of my favorite treats to bring home! 

It's not really hard to find Pocky, but I still took a picture of it, and the Green Tea Kit Kats were also something I found in the Japan Pavilion to bring home for my World Showcase Chocolate challenge! 

Those that have been to the Germany Pavilion know that it's riddled with chocolate though. The Milka bars are famous for being simply amazing, and I've brought home chocolates like these for people more than once in the past! 

Even though Germany has a ton of chocolate, some of my favorite treats come from the Tea Store in the United Kingdom Pavilion, including the Aero chocolate, and of course, Twinnings Tea! 

Finally, there was a display of various Japanese items that simply reminded me of the wonderful store in the Japan Pavilion. There were plenty of items like this, that weren't food at all, throughout the store, but it was this one that brought me right back to World Showcase. There were even various different sets of chopsticks! 

So now I've been introduced to World Market, and while I certainly won't be going there all the time, it'll be nice for when I need a pick-me-up in between Disney trips. Whether or not that's the intention of a store like World Market - to provide things I can find at Disney World - I'm not entirely sure, but I'm definitely excited about the prospect! 

Have a magical day!

Day 1097: Raw Fish

I mentioned in my last post that one of the things I really hope to do this year is to revisit old blog posts, especially those from 2013, and revamp them for a new, 2016 world. Apparently, that's going to happen faster than anticipated thanks to my brother.

"What do you want for dinner" is probably the most common question around my house other than "what do you want for lunch," and today's answer from my brother brought us to the world of sushi once more, and since I'm on hiatus from social media, I had no where to post the pictures from tonight's dinner adventure. Back on Day 161, I discussed briefly how I tried sushi for the first time at Disney, and I go on to talk about how I influence my friends and their growing love of Disney, but I didn't go much into detail, which is really a shame. After all, I'm not lying when I say that Disney is the reason I love sushi, and Disney is the reason I love a lot of things. 

I first tried a number of years ago when my family decided to head into the counter service restaurant in the Japan Pavilion at Epcot, which, at that point, was yet to be renamed to Katsura Grill. My brother seemed more interest in trying the sushi than I was, but I'm never one to turn down from a challenge, so I tried it right along with him. A few minutes later, we were hooked and from there on out we've tried sushi from all over the Walt Disney World Resort. In addition, we took two classes on the art of making sushi when we got back home, and now making sushi in our own kitchen is a rather regular occurrence. 

In addition to sushi, Disney has brought a lot of other new foods and experiences into my life. Cobb Salad, and actually salad in general, became a favorite of mine thanks to the Brown Derby at Disney's Hollywood Studios, among other various Disney dining locations (I once had a salad at Pecos that was SPECTACULAR). I used to absolutely despise roller-coasters, but this past summer I went on several with very big drops and quick turns while at ValleyFair Amusement Park in the Twin Cities, and I credit every bit of the courage it took to get on those coasters to Expedition Everest. Even my love of just traveling in general has a lot to do with the fact that I grew up traveling to Walt Disney World. 

All of these thoughts just from making sushi for dinner. Although I suppose that if your dinner was inspired by Disney, it's kind of hard not to think about the other things that have been inspired by Disney. Which leaves the question of the day for you: what in your life has been inspired by Disney? 

Have a magical day!