Dirty Shoes and Other Traditions
As a special holiday celebration, my family recently spent a day at EPCOT, enjoying some of our favorite attractions and hearing Trace Adkins narrate the glorious Christmas concert, “Candlelight Processional.” During the day, we had lunch at the Biergarten, enjoying sausages, schnitzel, and noodles, and, of course – beer. The meal was delicious, the floor show lots of fun, and our waitress was charming. One of the nicest things about EPCOT’s World Showcase is that the various country pavilions are staffed by folks from the countries represented. They sign up for a one-year work visa, come to America to work full time at EPCOT, providing man-power for a multitude of public-facing jobs, while lending an air of authenticity to the place.
Anna hails from Hamburg, here on her second stint as a Cast Member in the Germany pavilion. She liked the experience so much the first time, she said, she was eager to sign on for a second trip over here. She enjoys the weather in Central Florida, has a great time meeting people from all over the world, and especially likes holidays at Walt Disney World. But she is also a little homesick for Hamburg, for the boyfriend waiting for her at home, and for a return to normalcy. She seemed to have a true appreciation for the adventure she was living at the moment, and an understanding of the importance to enjoy every moment of it as it is happening, knowing that her adventure has an end date.
Anna told us that when they finish their last shift of their year-long assignment, the German cast members have a tradition. When the shift is over and the guests have left their restaurant empty, they gather on the stage of the Biergarten and all sing along to some German songs. Then, they participate in a tradition known well to most (off-duty) Cast Members, an activity known as “drinking around the world:” walking around World Showcase, going from country to country and sampling the local spirit at each one. Tequila in Mexico, a pint at the pub in United Kingdom, champagne in France, etc., ending up with a beer at Germany, after which they take positions in a special spot at the fence railing to view the spectacular fireworks and laser show, “IllumiNations.” While the sky erupts in colorful explosions, the German cast members cry and hug each other as they reminisce over their wonderful year together … sad to be leaving … looking forward to seeing home again… emotions tumbling over one another (no doubt aided by the spirits of their world-tour of pubs).
So far, the traditional send-off seems perfectly normal to me as I listen to Anna describe how their Last Night will go. But then, Anna says, the night ends with a sacred tradition. Each of the retiring cast removes their shoes -- their shoes, all sticky and disgusting from a year of working in food service. And with great solemnity, they toss their shoes into World Showcase Lagoon. That’s it! They toss their shoes into the Lagoon. And thus, their year at Disney World comes to an end.
And I thought theater people were crazy.
In the weeks since I heard Anna’s story, I’ve thought a lot about the traditions we have – during the holidays, on Opening Nights, on Closing Nights. And on New Year’s Eve. Traditions are a wonderful way to be aware of the moment, to take stock of what we’ve accomplished in the past, of where we stand now, and to look ahead to what we can create for ourselves in the future. On this first day of the New Year, I hope you have taken a moment to acknowledge the good in your life in the past year, and have some plans for great things ahead.
Now. Go toss your dirty old shoes in a lake, and let’s get on with 2018.