Thursday, March 13, 2014

Sober Day #135- Sober in New Orleans



My mister is at a meeting in New Orleans, and I have joined him here.  I love this city!!  There is so much to do and see here.  For some, however, the impression of New Orleans is all about Mardi Gras, Krewes, and lots of booze!

There is definitely a component of heavy drinking here (for some, at least).  The epicenter of excessive drinking is Bourbon Street, in the Vieux Carre, or French Quarter.  This is also where there is some very good music!


Mister loves jazz, so we went wandering down Bourbon Street again last night.  This was about 9 PM, and we were sort of looking for some late dinner too, hoping to find a jazz bar with some great live music.  

On prior visits, I'd use the 'everyone is drinking' reasoning to drink myself.  This time, observing the scene through clear sober eyes was educational.  I was interested to notice the glazed, sort of surprised eyes of those who had been drinking, the slightly wobbly gait.  There were a couple of cigar stores and, unfortunately, a number of men who were wandering along the street smoking their cigars.  That is one smell that really bothers me, actually makes me nauseated.  

After about the 3rd Cigar Man passed us, my tummy started feeling a bit wobbly.  It was amazing how quickly my brain associated this feeling with drinking too much.  All of a sudden, I was so put off by the excesses around us, and so very glad I wasn't drinking.  I said to Mister, "I don't feel too well, let's head back to the hotel".  I probably said something about the environment bothering me.

Back in the room, he said sympathetically, "That was hard on you, wasn't it".  After a few minutes conversation, we discovered that he thought it was hard on me because around all that alcohol, it must have made me really really want to drink too.  He was astounded to realize that the combo of the cigar smoke and all the people drinking made me so relieved and happy that I wasn't drinking.  

An education for both of us!

6 comments:

  1. OOooohh boy am I jealous of you begin in New Orleans. What a cool place, I'd love to visit sometimes. Yay for sober you walking the streets with your clear head and your brave soul. xxx

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    1. Oh, Yeah- we plan to move there when we will retire, and will have a lovely guest room or two...
      And New Zealand is on my list of travel wishes- ever since I read Ngaio Marsh mysteries as a child!

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  2. One day I'm going to walk around New Orleans sober too! I have mixed reactions to people who are glazed and slurry, wobbly on their feet, loud with booze. Sometimes I feel truly sorry for them. Sometimes I find them incredibly annoying. But I never ever want to join them!

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    1. All in all, it is an absolutely fabulous place for people-watching!

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  3. Would love to visit New Orleans and take in some jazz. Maybe one day .... What a kind and supportive husband you have and glad it re-inforced your decision :) xx

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    1. ahhh, travel is fabulous! Especially on-a-budget travel, since it forces you to immerse yourself in the place, rather than surfing above it from Marriott to Hilton to Ritz...

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I'd love to hear about your journey, and hear your take on my journey. Comments are very welcome!!