The National Organization of Victim Assistance [NOVA] held its annual conference in Orlando in August. I was one of a multitude of presenters and took the opportunity to spend a little time with my brother Mark who lives there.
Scott, Debbie, Mark, and Jim Vukelic at Ruby Tuesday's in Apopka.
Debbie's parents, Janette and Terry, live in The Villages located an hour west of Orlando. They were gracious hosts and Terry plays a pretty good game of golf. He says there are more than 30 courses inside or within a few miles of The Villages, a community that did not exist 10 years ago and now boasts more than 50,000 residents. Two of the courses in The Villages were designed by Nancy Lopez and Arnold Palmer. Houses start at about $170,000 so save your bread.
In nearby Tampa, I had an unforgettable experience touring The Bodies Exhibition. The promotion for the controversial exhibit says viewing it will change the way you view yourself forever. That is probably true. I've never seen nerves, veins, arteries, muscles, or internal organs before. I learned that the muscles behind my pot belly control so much of the body that I really need to keep them toned to stave off a host of ailments common to aging baby boomers. Unfortunately, the exhibit is now available in only a few cities: New York, Las Vegas, London, Seattle, and Atlanta. See it if you can.
Orlando is the ultimate tourist Mecca and it probably should have come as no surprise that this upside-down building, Wonderworks, barely stirs the interest of the millions who visit Orlando each year. But anywhere else, this unique indoor amusement center would be a big deal.
Searching for a religious experience? Look no further than Orlando. This is the Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine, just a stone's throw from the far more heavily visited Lake Buena Vista Factory Outlet. The shrine was closed when I stopped there but the Gift Shop was open. I passed on it and went to an indoor flea market instead. There, I found more kitschy religious memorabilia.
Gotta love that "His pain is your gain" tee-shirt.
And how about a tie to announce your love of the Lord?
Or maybe one of these pins with the lights that flash around the perimeter...
...or your very own statue of Jesus complete with dogs and votive candles. I'm not sure if the yellow spots are pre-crucifixion wounds. Isn't capitalism wonderful?