Diplomatic Mission
Today, eight months after the passing of my father, my mother takes on the important diplomatic mission of improving American relations with the European Union by taking a two-week bus tour of Spain and Portugal with another woman from Queens.
I bet you didn’t expect that, Dad?
And Mom, it’s a Tapas Bar, not a Topless Bar.
A mi madre, have fun! I’m off to the gym! (bloggers, there’s still time to sign the contract below)
A Year Ago in Citizen of the Month: Handy Guide for Man Shopping
Tags: Portugal, Spain, travel







24 Comments so far
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What a lovely scene. The buldings would be impressive, if not for the mountains behind them.
Yes, I listen to John Denver music sometimes. Sorry.
Hello, Neil.
By scott on 05.22.06 7:48 am
Tapas used to confuse me, too. I thought my friends worked at the slutty bar.
By Scarlet on 05.22.06 7:55 am
Clever post! I’m sure your mom will have a wonderful time. And for the record, at some of those tapas bars, the lines are fuzzy.
By Paris Parfait on 05.22.06 8:10 am
another woman, i bet your dad would have loved that!
have fun at the gym, feel the burn.
By better safe than sorry on 05.22.06 8:20 am
Tell Mom that she can get a little something at either.
By AWE on 05.22.06 8:27 am
Why does everyone think you are saying “topless” when you say “tapas”? Hope your mom has a great trip.
By Dagny on 05.22.06 8:37 am
I envy her that first day in Portugal; it’s such a thrill.
Remember: Portuguese only smile on a cue word obrigado.
Bon voyage!
By Tatyana on 05.22.06 8:57 am
that is so cool. she gets spain and portugal and you get the gym? that’s not fair, really… we should at least get pictures of girls in spandex
By treespotter on 05.22.06 9:21 am
good for ekramer…she better watch out for those Spanish men…they love to pinch butt.
By cruisin-mom on 05.22.06 9:36 am
Isn’t that the place where the crazy Steward guy took a flying leap after getting completely immolated in Lord of the Rings?
By jackt on 05.22.06 10:30 am
Ooh, I’m jealous. Would love to make that trip.
By Leesa on 05.22.06 10:31 am
“Topless bar.” Ah-ha ha ha!
By Alison on 05.22.06 10:54 am
I waitressed in a TAPAS restaurant aftr college and whenever I told men I worked at a “TAPAS bar”, the all looked at my small chest in quizzical amazement.
By bettyonthebeach on 05.22.06 12:19 pm
That is seriously funny and only because my mom thought the same thing.
By justrun on 05.22.06 12:22 pm
But how will they understand that heavy Queens accent?
By Bre on 05.22.06 12:41 pm
Bre — You’re so naive. I have a Queens accent. My mother has a Bronx accent.
By Neil on 05.22.06 12:49 pm
Oh uh…two Queens girls in Spain and Portugal? They’re gonna want free glasses of water..and the Euros don’t do that
By mrsmogul on 05.22.06 2:07 pm
That’s so funny, Ms. Mogul. I had to explain all that to her, because I remember being all confused on my first trip there. And I told her the difference between “agua sin gas” and “agua con gas.” She’ll never remember, but what the hell. Part of the fun of travel is getting ripped off by the natives. I’ll never forget this cabdriver who took Sophia and I around the block ten times in Seville for a trip that was really a half a block away.
And good-luck to her when she finds out what they throw in that “paella.”
By Neil on 05.22.06 2:23 pm
Well done Mrs. K!!!! Go flirt with a few hot men, eat fantastic food, see everything there is to see and enjoy yourself. Well done indeed.
By Melissa on 05.22.06 3:18 pm
Elaine, have a muy bien tiempo! (have the same in Portuguese; I only know some Spanish!)
Make sure to call Neil every day, make sure you packed clean underwear, don’t talk to strangers…and all those other wonderful things that mothers tell their children to do or not do on a trip abroad.
By Pearl on 05.22.06 5:13 pm
Glad I’m not the only one thrown off by Tapas/Topless Bar. My husband said his sister really wanted to go to a Tapas bar a while back, and I asked “why would your sister want to go to a Topless bar?”
That’s one thing I miss about living in a larger city..a variety of decent ethnic food…luckily we have hip urban siblings to visit.
By Nelumbo on 05.22.06 6:39 pm
It’s great that she’s getting out and experiencing new things. I hope she really enjoys herself.
By Jay on 05.22.06 7:39 pm
lol! but, wait a minute… whats a Tapas anyway?:-)
I hope Mrs. K., or Um Neil as my mum’s peaple say, she enjoys herself real good!
You’re a good son.
Fitèna
By Fitèna on 05.22.06 11:29 pm
Muito boa viagem to your mom! Portugal is amazing, and I’m not just saying that because I lived there.
By kimananda on 05.25.06 3:51 pm
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