{this memory} is the story behind {this moment} that was shared last Monday, a weekly ritual sharing a moment in time captured forever.
Denis will probably kill me for sharing this photo, but we were having so much fun it’s impossible not to share it as one of my favourite memories. After all, you only turn 30 once, and boy was it memorable!
Copyright Janine Ripper 2012
I’d been saying for a while I was going to escape turning 30 by leaving the country, and I did just that – with Denis and my sister in tow (it was going to be her 22nd birthday the day before mine). We travelled to Rome, Paris, and then over to England, before heading off to Holland and Belgium.
My best friend, Bec, who by this stage had moved to London to work, had arranged a wonderful day for my actual birthday, including a champagne flight on the London Eye which was amazing. We had our own private car, a hostess with bottles of champagne, and views of glorious old London.
For dinner we attended the classy establishment that is the Walkabout (one of the London ones), and then moved on to the Below Zero Ice Bar where the photo in question was taken. It was so cool! (yes – also in the literal sense of the word). In case you haven’t been to an Ice Bar, it is just that. A bar made of ice, including the cups you drink from, and the benches you sit on. This one in particular was the Below Zero Ice Bar, so there was a whole lot of vodka flowing in various flavours, served in ice cups. On entering the bar, you’re provided thick gloves and a funky eskimo outfit, and told that you can only stay in there for no more than 30 minutes (they sent us in all at once in a group so that they could also exit us all at once).
This was another moment in life in my life shared with friends and strangers, full of pissing ourselves laughing (almost) moments. It’s the one thing that jumps to mind after a few months of doing {this moment} and {this memory}. The best moments of my life, and my favourite photos, are always those ones where I have shared a good guttural laugh with people. It was an awesome way to spend a birthday – the best ever so far.
What a “cool” birthday, lol. Really though – it sounds like an incredible way to turn the big 3-0! Congrats and enjoy life. I am starting to hate being so post 30-s…..
It so was!
Way cool, Janine! And you will never forget that birthday!
I cannot remember where and how I celebrated my 30th birthday right now, probably was not that memorable, way back in my wild days I had an apartment in the middle of the old city of Basel (very medieval) and I remember all the parties we had there with some nostalgic feelings …
Great photo and great memory. Got me thinking…I spent my 30th flying in from NYC with my Mum to be met by my other half and whisked back out to Budapest. Thank goodness you only turn 30 once ey? Do you think you could cope with the jet lag now? I can’t! lol
I know! I walked past a whole load of backpackers today and was like ‘ah to backpack again’…but realistically I could not do it! I need comfort now.
Right. I feel very old right now because I can’t remember what I did for my 30th birthday. Glad you enjoyed London!