Anna Essling: Disney and Drums

Today, friends took me to the beautiful city of Mount Dora. All of a sudden, in the middle of nowhere, this little picturesque town turns up. Apparently, it's famous for its antique auctions. It had a beautiful lake and was packed with nice restaurants, cute shops and happy strollers. Not to mention the ice cream shops with homemade ice cream. It was a happy day. I will certainly miss Florida and I'm bound to return sooner or later to pay a visit.

We had a nice meal at one of the restaurants and as a matter of fact, it has been easier than I thought to find good food here, even easier than back home. (I'm a vegetarian and in fact people warned me about Florida before I left). There are plenty of organic options in the stores and fresh salads (and more) at every restaurant. I have also taken up coffee since you can always find caffeine-free coffee at the coffee shops, YUM! How did I manage without café latte all these years! There is certainly something for everyone here and that's very appealing.

I have to admit that I had some pre-conceived ideas about Disney World and that part of American culture—had even decided that it wasn't important to even go and check it out. But Lisa at the office had a different view and invited me to go for free (her good friend Alicia works there). And it actually changed my view towards the whole thing and gave me a somewhat new outlook on American approach all together. No wonder it's called 'the magic kingdom', it was simply magic! The only purpose for it to exist is to make you happy (well, of course there is also an economic aspect to it, but anyway) and it's beautifully made and well kept—and every night they have the most fantastic fireworks that go on for ever...I see it as a part of the American culture that cheerfully greets any stranger on the street and adds a nice feeling to your day.

Previously Lisa also assembled some of the girls at the office for a girl's night out at the Universal Boardwalk on her birthday. She has now gone off to Estonia to enjoy her own GROW program over there. I wish her the best of everything!

"Gunman kills 13 people before committing suicide", "11 year-old shot his father's fiancée with a gun that his father gave him for Christmas" and "priest shot during service". These are some headlines that I have collected during the stay and they add another dimension to the place than the happy and cheerful one. There are so many layers about this country and it gives it an interesting and profound vibration that is hard to resist.

Another thing that we miss out in Sweden (the shootings we have to some extent, I guess) are the drum circles. I went to one on the full moon of last week and had a ball! It was located in a parking lot and was loaded with people that were dancing and banging on African style drums. There were belly dancers, acrobats, firethrowers and a happy mob. They seem to have them here in each and every city and in some places on the beaches. Simply irresistible!

Right about now I'm preparing for the next work trip. I'm going to Amelia Island tomorrow morning to shoot a promo. I have been looking forward to it for weeks now since it was postponed due to the weather. Tomorrow, there are actually warnings for thunderstorms (!) but we can't postpone the thing forever so I'm still going. If the weather turns bad I might just have to stay longer (we need good weather for good pictures!) Amelia Island is supposed to be really beautiful with nature reserve parks and beaches and I'm just thrilled to see it! The name alone is appealing and sends pictures to your mind—let's just hope hope for nice weather!