Sober Weekend in Paris

A girls weekend in Paris, another holiday under my belt completely sober

Allow me to apologise for my lack of posts, time has ran away with me since my return from Cyprus. The re introduction to an old friend was to blame. He has enlightened me to the possibilities of the AI graphics world. Something you may not have been aware about me. Many moons ago, I delved into the world of website design. Why? Well in my early years I dabbled with importing and selling jewellery. Our idea was to buy in some jewellery and sell it online. Simple yes? I’m honestly going to tell you about my sober weekend in Paris. It is coming I promise, hang on in there.

As you are probably aware nothing in life is that simple and so I began down the path of learning. First I needed to learn how to use a computer properly. Meaning I headed back to adult learning to educate myself on the fine art of HTML and CSS. Along came the graphics then and I entered the world of Photoshop which led to a passion for creating graphics. The reason for becoming a little lapse in writing my post is because I am messing with ideas. Ideas of sobriety graphics and projects. These I will reveal very soon to those who understand the AI movement that is sweeping us right now.

Finally My Sober Weekend in Paris

OK, that said I am here to share my wonderful sober weekend in Paris with you all. I’m going to be completely honest with you. I was very apprehensive about going and this was two fold. I am not going with my closest friends, except for one who has been my friend since high school. It is her connection with these other women that I have started to share some time with. Over the last ten or so years I have got to know them quite well. We all live in spread out areas and our meetings are perhaps twice a year. I have strong ideas about food and alcohol, which sometimes makes me feel outnumbered and causes me to go quiet. This is another caveat to consider, as I am somewhat different in my opinions.

Being sober on this short holiday is my second reason for my angst. The girls have known me for quite some time and I was always the big drinker among us. Like so many others, they found it rather amusing that I didn’t want to drink. Having said that however, they are all very supportive in my choice. So why was I so anxious? I suppose my fear of the unknown. Stemmed from being in a different country and spending time with people who hold opposing views to my own.
Then why go? I’m not quite sure (big sigh). Actually I love the company of these lovely ladies and I like to push my boundaries. I think everyone should do so to be able to grow. (Am I mad?)

Up for a 7am Flight for my Sober Weekend!

One of my friends managed to blag us free airport lounge entrance which was a nice little bonus. My usual go to would be to hit the free gin and tonics regardless of the time. This journey however is beginning differently. Arming myself with bacon, eggs and a coffee I sat down contented for the sober weekend in Paris ahead. Our flights were split. Three of us were traveling from Manchester and the other two from Leeds as they lived further up north. Thankfully my two companions are not big drinkers and were repulsed by drinking so early on in the morning. (it was only 5.30am we flew at 7am).

Time to Relax

When holidaying, I am usually nominated as the lead passenger. However, this time to my joy I had pretty much no control over anything. I was very happy indeed to relinquish any responsibility to the others and just drift along for the ride. After a short journey, so short it made me realise that I could quite possibly fly to Paris and back. For an essential shopping trip of course, in one day! (note to self, need to price that possibility up).

We had made it to our hotel but the room wasn’t ready until later so we headed out. The sober weekend in Paris for the three of us started out relaxing. Lots of sight seeing and walking, then a nice light lunch and a iced frappuccino. (my first one ever!) The we went back to meet with the other two.

That was around 4:30pm they made it to our hotel and we united as our full group. It was obvious from their giddiness that drinks had been consumed on the plane. This is fine, they seemed ok with knowing that the three of us had decided to wait to partake.

First Night Out In Paris

Our first evening. We hadn’t planned our first evening very well. We just headed out to a few bars and grab a bite to eat at a nice restaurant. With so many to choose from you would have thought this was quite simple. Well it would have been if we all had the same dietary taste. With two vegetarians one of which was also gluten free. It took us an hour, but we finally found a restaurant that had something for all of us to eat. Myself and the two meat-lovers were successful, despite my attempts to stay away from sugars and carbs.

In the first bar before our meal, someone noted that I was not having alcohol. I decided to order a mocktail, which turned out to be a refreshing iceberg drink. Although I don’t usually go for sugary drinks, I’ve discovered that it helps people feel more at ease if you don’t just ask for sparkling water. Otherwise, they feel like you’re missing out and start to feel sorry for you, even if you insist that you’re perfectly fine. So armed with my drink, the questions tentatively began as to why I am not drinking.

Time for Sober Explanations

Now, my reasons change per group I am with. Which is not a lie as each reason I give is a true reason, but these reasons resonate or sit better with certain people or types and stops most of the naysayers in their tracks. So for instance, this group I’m with we are all heading to or of the Peri-menopause stage. Through my research I am aware that alcohol plays havoc with your hormones so for this journey, I focus in that being the reason. This is pretty easy to convey as they already know what kind of a health nut I am.

We had a fab first night, great meal, lots of laughs we even saw some of the protesters and riot police but no fights thankfully ( I suspect the news was blowing it out of proportion to make news!) Best thing, none of them were fazed by my not drinking. The two naughty ones even went across the road to a bar at the hotel (they had a not so sober weekend in Paris planned) to get more wine once we had got back at 11:45pm! The night for them was ending too soon but seeing as we three had been awake since 3am that morning, I think we deserved a slightly earlier night.

Fun Filled Day and Night Ahead

Day two meant a fairly decent walk to the Met, with a few stops and one change. We were making our way to the Eiffel Tower to get some pictures and then hop on a boat trip up the river Seine. Have you ever experienced the Met? There are some wonderful types down there, I have seen singing, to pick pockets but I must admit this journey brought something new.

A man got on and was shouting something in french, only one of my friends is fluent in french and even she was struggling to make out what he was saying. It did sound kind of threatening but no one seemed to be rushing or moving from him so we tried to ignore. Thankfully our stop was next and it came just in time as we heard him translate the words and we heard “I Have a Gun”! Needless to say we ran off along with many others as quick as we could and as far away as possible from the train.

Feeling a little rattled we all tried to make sense of what happened, it had spooked us and I made a mental note to be a little more vigilant of who was getting on and off on our next journey. That was as far as my worry went. My friends however, three of them I could see having a little melt down and the talk of a glass of wine to calm their nerves on the boat was being discussed. Now don’t get me wrong, if I was still partaking, I would have seized this opportunity just like them to down a few at lunchtime.

The Relief for Me – Disappointment For Them!

We reached the boat after a visit and obligatory pictures of the Eiffel Tower. All of us safe but two of us bursting for the facilities by the time we boarded. Being on a sober weekend in Paris was having me drink lots of water, it was pretty warm and lots of walking so I ensured to be well hydrated. Having located the loo the focus was on finding the bar (not my focus might I add). But oh no, there didn’t seem to be one and the disappointment from my friends was palpable. The conversation was of a fraught “I thought we could get a drink on here when we booked it” as well as “I wish we had bought some gin in a tin”. It made me realise how attached we are to alcohol in doing things we can enjoy without it.

Would it have been better with a wine? They believed so, but for me, it was a great pleasure to take every minute in completely sober, in the sun with the wind in my hair.

Pierre De Resistance – Moulin Rouge!

With the day activities over and after an early meal, my friends managed to consume their wine. A couple had a little panic over getting the Met back (they suggested a taxi!). I could tell their anxiety had risen from our earlier experience. remaining calm I rationalised that it was a one off and we would be fine getting the Met back all safe and sound. All was well

It was time for us to get ready for Moulin Rouge. I felt very privileged to be attending such a renowned experience. We had outfits for the occasion, we got completely dressed, perhaps a little over board. But who the heck cared!! We were going to “THE MOULIN ROUGE”

Was it Really Only a Weekend?

This Sober weekend feels like a week as I’m typing this. We seemed to have packed so much in so I will try and keep this last bit short. That’s going to be pretty easy actually. Other than saying you should really go and try it if you can, that’s all I am going to say as I wouldn’t want to spoil anything for you. We had no idea what to expect but the whole thing from start to finish was amazing.

I stayed on mocktails and sparkling water, even had a little dance after the show at the bar across from our hotel. The girls I think were amazed. There were a few more curios questions on the Sunday morning during breakfast, but I think I had won them over to thinking it’s truly not boring being the sober one.

I am still Sober. Having just passed 4 months and 10 days this is the longest I have ever gone without a drink in my adult life. Feeling proud and positive. I have no urge to pick up any kind of alcoholic drink.