Taco Fest with the Dills
Posted on August 31, 2019 by Ching under Food and Drink.
Just a few pics from Taco Fest a few weeks ago.
It was a lot of fun but the lines were long and plentiful. There were long lines at every taco shop/stand. Good thing we were smart and we decided to divide and conquer. I can’t remember if it was Mama Dill or Jay who came up with the plan.
We basically decided to split up and each take a line and then order the five tacos each (technically the maximum you can order but somehow Mama Dill was able to get ten tacos at this one shop because they let her) and then we were all supposed to meet up and trade so, in essence, this allowed us to try five different tacos without having to wait in five lines. Work smarter, not harder. LOL.
So, the tacos were cheap but the drinks were super expensive. Even water cost a lot so you might as well have a margarita.
Not having been to Taco Fest before, I really didn’t know what to expect. It was ridiculous. I have to say if it wasn’t for Jay, Becca, and Mama Dill, it would have been a bust. They made it fun.
I can’t believe people are willing to pay to get in to the event and walk for miles to get in (there wasn’t any parking nearby because everyone and their uncle was there) and stand in crazy long lines to buy tacos and pay exorbitant amounts of money for mediocre beer and margaritas. Now that I’ve been, I probably wouldn’t go again.
At least we had good music and good company.
Afterward, Jay bough everyone ice cream from Flavors — formerly College Hill Creamery. I didn’t even know they changed their name until that day. We took a group photo which I wanted to post here but I can’t find it. I think we must have taken it on someone else’s phone.
Anyway, we had a ton of fun hanging out with the Dills. We always have such a great time no matter where we are. Until next time. GNG.
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Final Day in Orlando
Posted on August 17, 2019 by Ching under Travel, Zumba.
Brian and I got some much needed pool time after the ZINCON closing session.
It was a hot one!
Afterwards, we went to our favorite restaurant, the Pub Orlando, for dinner. We had our first and last meals in Orlando there. We love it that much!
Bumped into DJ Dani on our way back from dinner.
With Renee and Kizzy from Soca Xplosion.
They packed up super quick. By Sunday afternoon, there was no trace of ZINCON in sight. The stage, the window clings, the signage — all gone.
Pictures of the beautiful Hilton Orlando lobby. Hotel was great. Resort pool was great. Still not a fan of the long walk to the Hyatt. LOL.
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ZINCON Events
Posted on August 16, 2019 by Ching under Zumba.
Here’s a pic of me and my friend Kimberly at the fitness-concert.
Here we are with Brynden at the end of the event.
Plus Jessie and Rose…
This pic of me, Rose, Brynden and Jessie turned out super blurry.
Here’s a much better one.
Me and Jessie with Brynden in the background.
There were so many people!
I don’t have a lot of pics from the theme party but we had an amazing time.
Pic at the closing ceremony. Los Duros was the largest fitness concert team ever.
This year’s ZINCON was super fun. I was very sad when it was all over. But I was thrilled to be able to share the experience with 10 of my ZIN friends from Wichita. I can’t wait until next year!
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Some of My Favorite Sessions
Posted on August 14, 2019 by Ching under Zumba.
And other random pics…
I didn’t stay for pics at the end of the Bring It: Be the Life of the Party session because I was rushing to my next thing and I really regret it. Madelle, Marlex, J-Lin, and JJ killed it. Not to mention, Prince assisted. He hasn’t been to ZINCON in a few years so that was super special. And, I had no idea that he DJs.
The line for pics was too long so, after a quick pic with Sarah and Jessie who were in the same session with me, I bailed. In hindsight, I probably should have stayed because Prince hasn’t been to ZINCON in what seems like forever and when else am I going to get all of these guys together again the same room. Hopefully, next year. But that means I’ll have to go again. We’ll see.
I bumped into David and Lars, not together but that same afternoon. They are a couple of presenters who I met through training at previous ZINCONs.
Also bumped into Sabrina. I met her a few ZINCONs ago too.
I did stay for photos with Benjamin and Rodrigo after House Experience and got a couple of really great pics.
That’s Rodrigo on the left and Benjamin on the right.
The best part is that the three of us were in matching shirts and shoes!
Speaking of being matchy-matchy, Brynden and Melissa and I all wore the same leggings to House Experience. FTW!
The next day, I started the morning in Sabor Cubano. They gave us Cuban flags while waiting in line so I wore mine in my hair.
I got to see Chuany, who I first met in the Zumba cruise in 2016.
Here she is with the rest of the team.
My pic with the Sabor Cubano team.
I lucked out and bumped into J-Lin from Bring It at the end of my Sabor Cubano session. So, while I didn’t get a group pic with the rest of the Bring It crew, at least we got to selfie together.
Also bumped into Charrise in between sessions. I found her in one of the hallways working on her ZIN jam choreos, poring over her meticulous notes, and videotaping herself mastering the routines. That’s really the way to do it so you come home with all the routines. I’m going to need to do the same thing next year to make the most of my ZINCON experience.
Here’s me with Dave and Los Jefes.
Me and DJ Chris right before Afrobeat Makossa.
Me and my girl Gina Graziani.
Me and Kimberly waiting for our Afrobeat Makossa session.
With Brian this time.
This is us, ready for our session.
With Ricardo and Alexsa.
In the line for Tropical Urban.
A few more pics from Tropical Urban.
We had the goofiest Tropical Urban photos because Jessie, Mara and I were supposed to rearrange so each one of us could be in the middle but, instead of switching phones, we agreed that we would just use my phone to save time. However, only the person taking the photos and I understood what was happening.
I found Michael and Kizzy after their session.
Oh, and check this out, I got a pic with M. Night Shyamalan (also known as Mr. B or Dr. B’s husband when at ZINCON).
Motown with Kass and Steve.
These two are always so uplifting.
I already have a few photos with these guys but I just have to get one each time. I am a huge fan. Not just of their talents but all of the nuggets of wisdom that they impart at every workshop.
Speaking of people I am a huge fan of, here’s Mr. Elegante himself, Max Pizzolante.
The 2019 Latin Urban crew.
Group pic with the Wichita crew after Latin Urban.
Me and Rose and Jessie with Los Jefes.
We had so much fun this year. I think what made it more special is that I got to share the experience with ten other instructors from Wichita. This is the most people we’ve ever had attend from here.
I was fully immersed in the experience and didn’t take nearly as much pictures as I normally do but hopefully this was enough to give you a taste of all the fun we had that weekend. I am so pumped and can’t wait until next year!
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ZW Insider Photo Shoot
Posted on August 13, 2019 by Ching under Travel, Zumba.
Speaking of photos, I did make it to the Zumba Wear Insider 3-Star photo shoot on Thursday. Brought my new gear with me and snapped up a few pics.
These home office gals are super cool. I love seeing them every year.
As if that weren’t enough, Brian and I also had our own little photo shoots.
The Hilton Orlando resort pool area is so beautiful, it’s the prefect place to take photos. This is all for now. Come back next time for more ZINCON recaps.
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