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December 29, 2007
Asian People Rarely Cook With Cheese
Anyway, it was just a year ago that my mom said, "Your father and I are very simple people. We don't need to travel to these places that you and your sister like. We're perfectly happy with the Outer Banks. We don't really enjoy traveling anyway." So what does my sister do? She takes them on a whirlwind European tour of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haage, Paris, and Brugge -- all within one week. They became very acquainted with planes, cabs, subways, trams and trains (which they hadn't ridden "since the 70's"). By the end of the trip they kinda resembled that Jesus guy walking up the hill at the end of the Passion of the Christ. But they were troopers, even as we had to run like hell to catch a departing train. My mom even dropped "Merci" a couple times. I was beaming with pride.
We took them to all the tourist traps. Our favorite moment was a Xmas dinner on the Eiffel Tower. I know, I thought it would be cheesy too. Luckily it was not a Planet Hollywood.
It occurred to me as I was looking up the Eiffel Tower's skirt that HR Giger must have been inspired by it. It would be cool if they made another Alien movie there, with the aliens hiding by blending in with the tower's iron and Sigourney Weaver screaming, "Obtenez loin de elle, vous râlent!"
Several places in Europe require you to pay to use a public restroom. It seems to be more common now as I never had to pay before. Taking a dump is about 1 €. Taking a piss is, of course, cheaper. I think America should consider this "poop tax" to cut down on unnecessary chronic defecating. Jimbo alone could help fund the Iraq war for another couple years.
And you can even douche if you need, which is far more pricey, as you can see in this pic. At first, we were like, wow, how completely sexist to charge women a lot more just to have fresh cooters. But then we realized that douche means shower in French. So remember that next time you call a French person a douche. You're really just calling them a shower, which further perpetuates the dumb American stereotype.
On January 1st we will most likely feel what will seem like a minor earthquake here in America. Some will think it's from New Year's fireworks, but it's not. It's the French trembling from nicotine withdrawal. France institutes a smoking ban at all restaurants, cafes and clubs on the first of the year. And the shit is gonna hit the fan for awhile. It will, however, make our future visits there much more enjoyable. The Netherlands also follows suit January 1.
This was my one purchase the entire trip -- bear slippers from Brugge!
My niece insisted on taking a picture of us by the Xmas tree in front of Notre Dame. By the way, my dad was surprised that there was no stadium at Notre Dame.
And one of my fave pics, me and my dad at the North Sea near Wassanaar:
Also at the beach - sand dunes:
My apologies for my lame photography skills. I still have not figured out how to set the resolution higher than 72ppi.
Posted by durban bud at December 29, 2007 07:25 PM
Comments
You've got so many great pics posted from this trip - I wanna go next!
And I'm loving the bear slippers pic. I'm a leg man.
Posted by: Matt at December 29, 2007 08:22 PM
You know...ultimately you end up looking like your parents. It won't be long now before that black bar appears across your face as well.
Posted by: rodger at December 30, 2007 01:15 AM
I like low-fi I mean low-res pictures too; grainy but campy and beautiful.
Kind of like a latin dude who prefers tofu infused desserts.
Posted by: jason at December 30, 2007 03:11 AM
yeah, if I had a dime for every time I fell for the little-boy-with-his-head-down-while-wearing-bear-slippers look... I could fund the Iraq war for another couple of years.
Posted by: Dan at December 30, 2007 04:55 AM
I wish the U.S. had a national smoking ban.
Posted by: Jeff at December 30, 2007 09:29 AM
I see that you have discovered a universal truth during your journey to Europe. I knew you could do it! ;)
You look scrumptous in your bear slippers! That is going to be such a hot fashion trend you'll start in the DC Woof den.
Thanks for the beautiful pictures Dbud. :)
Posted by: brettcajun at December 30, 2007 09:34 AM
Although you can't see his eyes in the photo...I know what they look like. That picture of you and your dad had me a little misty. One of the nicest men ever...your dad that is ;)
So glad you all had a great time. I'm sure it meant the world to Julie and the kids to have you all there. I'm tagging along next trip.
Posted by: pam at December 30, 2007 11:01 AM
I just beat you to Paris by a few days while on my way to Germany!
I'm with everyone else, you're totally workin those woofy bear slippers ;)
Posted by: Jason at December 30, 2007 12:55 PM
What an awesome family trip! Have a great New Year!
Posted by: Stephen at December 30, 2007 01:15 PM
That bear slipper shot is going to start an Internet sensation. I want in on the ground floor!
Posted by: John at December 30, 2007 06:08 PM
Now you can audition for BearForce2.
Posted by: homer at December 30, 2007 06:31 PM
You are so damn sexy, I'm going to dream about you in those paw slippers now. Have a Happy New Year bubbas.
Posted by: Derek at December 30, 2007 11:32 PM
OK, the pooping place was called "McClean"?
And they're banning smoking?
IN FRANCE??
Next it'll be Japan. Then China. Then who the heck is gonna smoke anymore!?!
Anyways, what a great idea for a trip. Crazy busy, but it sounds like your parents are getting the best things out of it.
Happy New Year's!
Posted by: atari_age at December 31, 2007 09:24 AM
Your dad looks just like a '50s boudoir model!
Posted by: johnny at December 31, 2007 12:06 PM
Are you QUITE sure your mom wasn't saying "mercy!" instead?
Posted by: cb at January 2, 2008 10:52 AM
The gene for digesting dairy is fairly rare in Asia.
Posted by: Robguy at January 6, 2008 10:27 PM