Harry Potter the boy who franchised

I may be a muggle but I have really enjoyed the world of Harry Potter. First reading the books, then reading them to Wilder, and now reading them to Luca- it is a great story. Wilder had said after Lego land that she just hoped it lived up to her expectations. 

I'd say it did- it was a great day and even though Wilder is a Slytherin I'm happy she had fun.

Weasley Wizarding Wheezes

Ummm there appears to be a dragon on top of Gringotts

I'm surrounded by muggles

With Stan Shunpike

Lisa walking through platform 9 3/4.

Hedwig

 Here we are after arriving in Hogsmeade station. We started in London, found Diagon alley, and then to the train from Kings Cross (platform 9 3/4). The level of detail was crazy- so so real.

Ollivander's wand shop (technically should be in Diagon Alley but...)

Hogwarts Castle

The ride in the castle was wonderful but the line to get to it was almost better. It was like you had to tour the castle to get to the ride. They had moving portraits and everything.

A stop at Honeydukes of course.

With his new wand

 Bathroom signs

Time to hit the 3 broomsticks for some butter beer.

 

We had heard that you either loved butter beer or not so much. Wilder and Luca: loved it. Bianca: not so much. Me... I went with the real beer... and liked it!

Both kids really put some thought into which wands to buy. In the end Luca ended up getting 2 (Sirius Black and Albus Dumbledore) and Wilder got 3! (Draco, Narcissisa, and Snape) It was fun to watch so many people, not just kids, walking around with wands.

The Gryffindor seeker.

Busted! just when I thought I could try some robes on without being noticed.

So (forgive me) a magical day. Seeing your children being joyful is a wonderful feeling and I guess if Wilder's rebellious phase in life is being a Slytherin then I should be okay with that. If this is just a warm up of things to come...

Florida gave us a great welcome back. Tomorrow its off to North Carolina to see Eula, all we have to do is decide how to get there. Floo powder? a portkey? apparate? maybe broomsticks.

Florida welcomes the Isoms

BACK!!! 

sort of. 

We arrived back in the United States with the plan of driving from Miami to Philly with stops in between to see Lego land, Harry Potter land, Grandma Eula, and Washington DC.

I wouldn't say it was a culture shock but it is always interesting to be back in the states after being away from it. As is usually the case it is the little things that I notice and will try to report. One that comes to mind is that Luca and Wilder have ordered milk with every meal.

First stops Lego land and Universal.

Figured we weren't going to see the real NYC on this trip so the Lego version would have to suffice

Wilder, I am your father

Hey Capoeira, Capoeira.

 The big coasters were yet to come.

Luca got to put his new Caracas driving skills to the test. He did great, blew through all red lights, used the horn liberally, and did not get car jacked once.

no words

Then it was time (the next day) for a trip to Universal and Harry Potter world. I will devote a whole post to HP because it really was amazing but here are a few.

We got to meet Wilder's friend Bianca.

This guy had a Chuck Norris America shirt and a Chuck Norris America Hat. Not sure if he was being ironic (looks a little hipster doesn't he) but we Americans sure love our t-shirts. T-shirts with patriotic slogans, or athletic slogans, or just slogans. We can't get enough of em!

Coming to see you Nate!

Lisa found a friend

Saw this cruise by- made me think of Tom Swetish and Matt Donovan.

I'm all about recreating the walk of fame... but is this the best you can do?

They had a pretty funny Simpsons section

If you look 5 rows back you can see Wilder, Bianca, Lisa, and Desiree on the Hulk rollercoaster.

side trip

A last note on the Llano experience. Churi asked if we wanted to leave in the morning and see some of the Andes. Of course we did and off we drove. I used to lead trips- wether it was inner city kids with Meet the Wilderness or more refined clientele with Vail resorts- and I know well the feeling when something isn't going exactly how you planned it- it can be agonizing or one heck of an adventure- usually depending on how the client reacts.

So... when Churi pulled over and stated that the brakes seemed to be out we reacted like the awesome clients we were: "no worries"

and here is what happened next

We caught a passing bus into the next town and walked to the mechanics. We hesitated at this bridge due to its seemingly flimsy nature- but then a moto crossed it so off we went.

The mechanic said that it should be an easy fix and he knew someone we could grab a ride with. The someone had a delivery of bananas and carrots to deliver so in the back we went.

 This way

 Next part of the adventure was that the road was closed. Reason? El tour de Venezuela! Seriously, it was a mountain stage and the road was closed so it could pass.

 I thought Gord Fraser would be impressed with the level of quality on the neutral support bikes.

 The leader

 The chase

 The Luca with his handmade "Vamos!" sign

 Lisa with her cafe negro.

The road finally opened but we stayed in town while the car was fixed and driven to us. Cool bridge.

 Cool rock.

 In the end it all worked out and we had a fun day actually. We also had amazing parilla (bbq) in Barinas that night. Thanks for the adventure Churi.