For all it's worth, it was worth all the while

DAY 9

I don't know how to start this last blog entry but I just did.

Simply...
Put...

...We made it to LIVERPOOL!!!



November 6th, 2008. We all dressed our full-on Fanwalk gear, had a quick breakfast and headed off to catch a ferry to Albert Dock, Liverpool. The ferry ride wasn't the most pleasing or glamorous experience what with all the misty outlines and murky British waters.

When we actually landed in Liverpool we were quite taken by our surroundings. This was the European Capital of Culture 2008 for a reason and the locals made sure we knew it at every corner.

We walked our way to the Echo Arena and when we arrived we were greeted by Dirk and the international press. Soon enough, internet-celeb Perez Hilton (cyber-host of this year's awards) came to welcome us. We all got a chance to take pictures with him and talk to him. He is such a flirt with the guys. HAHA.




Then we wore the Echo Arena pass so that we could enter the place for the first time. My first reaction was: It's not THAT big? My second reaction was: I wonder where WE will be seated/standing? While my third reaction was: What the heck is that cannon doing on stage? The 1st and 2nd questions remained unanswered but the third was promptly replied to by the appearance of scantily dressed dancers with pom-poms, just like cheerleaders, on stage. It was quite obvious that they were rehearsing for one of Katy Perry's performances.

We didn't really get the time to check out the place since we were rushed back out due to a strict schedule. Before leaving to our hostel we gathered for our last photoshoot with Dirk holding a wobbly, springy MTV EMA award, in front of the specially erected EMA monument.

As soon as we got to the hostel all hell broke loose. We had to be ready by 4pm so that we could have dinner together and get to the arena by around 6pm because people wouldn't be allowed in after that time. I think I ironed 4 different outfits including my own and gave away 2 pairs of tights too! In the end I had no time to treat my blister properly so I slipped into my heels and rushed out. This was the end result:-




Now, a girl wearing heels on sore feet is a dangerous thing if not unhealthy! But I did not anticipate the extent of damage on the sole of my foot. The pavements in Liverpool are mostly cobble-stone which proved deadly to me. As I was slowly making my way to the arena, a sharp pain shot up my leg and my ankle gave way on the cobble-stone. As I clutched onto Chloe to stand straight, I couldn't believe this was happening. We had almost arrived to the restaurant so I ripped off my heels and walked barefoot through Liverpool till we got there (How dramatic! HAHA. You must be roaring with laughter right about now). We got into the restaurant and joined the seating queue and on closer inspection it was revealed the sole of my foot was covered in blood and the sore on my foot had opened. The blood got through my plaster and stained the inside of my shoe. Everyone looked like stars and I was barefoot and bewildered. But I wasn't going to be let down. I just needed a way to get back to the hostel. Luckily, one of the organisers saw me and was kind enough to contact Troy. She was a life-saver! Too bad I don't know her name but I would like to thank her from the bottom of my heart. Anyway, back to the action! So, Troy got me some first-aid materials and I cleaned and bandaged my left foot in the Ladies' Room. Then he joined me for dinner on the table while we waited for the taxi he had called. I was so grateful that he got a taxi in no time and made sure I got there safely. I managed to get to my room, adjust my bandage and change my shoes to flat pumps in no time! Hallelujah.

Soon enough I found myself with Sarah making our way to the Echo Arena. Sure I had a bandage on my foot and no heels (boo-hoo) but nothing could stop me. This was the day I had been waiting for and we were finally going on with ticket in our hand and tag on our wrist. As we were rushing past the fans, two security guards called me. They thought I was Beyonce. I guess they were just pulling my leg, but it really was a confidence boost to me at that moment.

I quickly forgot about my foot and got down to finding my seat. As soon as that was established we raided the bars to get our free drinks. It was free cocktails all night and we were loving it! Obviously, the standard girls-night-out-restroom-shots ensued.

I don't think I need to comment about the WHOLE show because most of you saw it on TV or in repeats or even on the internet. However, I will comment that our seats sucked! They were at nose-bleed level and terrible for taking photos and videos. It would have been better if we were standing in the pitch close to the stage and star-audience-interactivity. The show itself LIVE is far better when seen on TV. The lights were pretty top of the list in coolness though. Katy Perry made a fairly good host but 30 Seconds to Mars just ruined her efforts. Puh-leaaaaseee, gimme the Foo Fighters any day of the week over those guys! Best performance? I would have to say a cross between THE KILLERS and KANYE WEST feat. ESTELLE, even though Kanye and Estelle were crap vocally. P!nk's performance obviously kicked ass, as always, but I was a bit dissapointed with Beyonce's performance. I mean I love Beyonce and I'm glad she chose to focus her performance on her actual profession: SINGING. Still, I always wanted to see a Beyonce SHOW...you know...the sexy raw dance number and bursting-at-the-seams energy! I was happy with her act though. She is a strong, talented woman. And finally, The Ting Tings just blew my socks off. Heard and seen live they are perfect. Katie's voice sounds exactly like on the record and I love the way she delivers her lines with her sharp quirky movements and style. Together with Jules, they're going places. Duffy and Kid Rock were really cool too.

The most anticipated moment of the night was surely when Dirk presented 30 Seconds to Mars with the award of Video Star along with Kerry Katona. Dirk got the VIP treatment that night and he actually looked pretty high on stage. LOL. But he did a great job and we were all so proud of him. The best moment was when the Fanwalk advert came up on screen and we stood up singing 'Pull it Together' like lunatics in front of a whole arena of onlookers. Ahh, good times, good times.

Et puis...

Le After Party!!

This is where we mingled with the A-listers baby! I met the likes of Kanye West, The Little Terrors, Solange Knowles and my idol Lauri Ylönen from THE RASMUS. I even got a pic with him:-



The crowd was so cool and happy. I found myself talking and dancing with random people. The place itself was huge. Like a whole corner block HUGE. There were different floors and rooms everywhere. I got lost countless times. There was also free-flowing alcohol and delicious party food like giant prawns, sheperd's pie and pasta-cups. It was a really fun night and worth it in the end even though we didn't really get to meet all the celebs we thought we would. Also, security was really tight even to take pictures with some celebs. Ultimately, we just wanted to enjoy our last night together because the next day some of us had to leave early to catch their flights.

The Maltese were the last group to leave Liverpool the next day. In fact, we even had time for shopping in the morning. I don't really want to write about this last bit because it was both a sad and satisfying day. However, I am sure that this experience will never leave me and that I will visit Liverpool again soon enough. At least, even to get a closer look at the Beatles musuem which we didn't have time to really visit.

And so ends my first trip to the UK.

I miss it so much but know I will meet my new-found family soon enough. We will be meeting all again in Amsterdam in February 2009 for a reunion. I' m really hoping I can get enough money to go because it's going to be a big gathering with the Dutch fanwalkers recruiting a film crew to follow the event. We might also do some fundraising through music. I can't wait!

Thanks everyone for helping me achieve this dream and for following my experience with the same enthusiasm I had throughout the trip. This final blog is dedicated to all those that appreciate music and its influence in the world. Music is the most abundant and influential resource of every era. And now as 2009 has been declared the European Year of Creativity and Innovation, I invite you to explore this medium and make a change in the world through it. Hopefully, as Fanwalkers we can carry on this music pilgrimage and pass on the message of music throughout all of Europe and maybe one day...the WORLD. In the great words of Lenny Kravitz: "Let's start a LOVE REVOLUTION!"

Peace out,

TaM x