Monday, July 03, 2006

Sunday, in the Park with my friends...




My feet are hurting from the blisters, my hands feel like I’ve been lifting weights all day, my eyes are merely open, but I feel very happy. It was a great day all along, it was like going to the park with friends, but with great music too.

Chapter One: The meeting with Tomoko and the Hyde Park

My day started at 12 noon when I went to Bayswater to meet Tomoko and her friend Kay at their hotel. What a delight it was to finally meet her, she is sweeter than I imagined and very pretty too, like a little girl, wearing Who gear all over! We went to Marble Arch to get a cold drink and we chatted and laughed like old friends.

It was time to go to Hyde Park. The heat was something unbelievable, even for my Greek standards. We took a bus, which was useless after all because it left us way too far from the Hyde Park Corner entrance, but we managed to get there. The girls got their tickets from the box office and I put the golden wristband on my hand.
We separated at our respective entrances. I didn’t have to ask or do anything. I just showed my wristband and everybody was letting me in. That’s how I like it baby!
As soon as I found Tomoko and Kay again, I called Mark and Jill to see where they were and after a few minutes we met under the blazing sun. After chit-chatting and taking pictures, Tomoko and Kay left to have a look at the perks of their VIP tickets. Tomoko gave me a little something to give to Rachel and they were off. Unfortunately, I didn't see them again...boo hoo:(

My golden wristband was burning my hand! I didn’t want to leave my friends, but I was dying to see what I can do with it… So I went to one of the security guards and he said that I have access to the Special Guests area. We’re on, I thought!
The special Guests area was a huge place full of tents, right next to the backstage area. I went to the security guard of the backstage area and asked him if I could go in.

He said no.

I explained that the wristband was sent by Rachel and his reply was that if I had her number (which I don’t, of course) I could call her and she could come outside and let me in.

Chapter two: The Waiting

I was ready to faint from the heat, so I decided to have a drink under the tent, until my friend to whom I’ve given the other wristband arrived. So I went to the bar and asked for a Coke.
“Pepsi. £2 please” Swell.

I sat in one of the tables and had my drink, and I felt really pleased for the first time after the big “NO”. There was a cool breeze coming, I was under the tent, sipping my ice cold drink and then one of the bands started playing. I couldn’t see them, since I was at the back of the stage, but I sure could hear them.
I relaxed and waited for my friend to call me. At around 4:45 he called me that he was inside, but went to the main stage to see Ocean Colour Scene. I stayed at my cool place and I bumped into Ron from the Shout and his wife. He suggested maybe to go through the other gates, since the Airstream was a little bit to the left and ask if Rachel has given my name to the guards there. And when I met my friend a little while later that’s what we did, unfortunately with no results.

Our wristbands were only good for that area. We had to have proper backstage passes, you know, the ones you hang from your neck.

Chapter three: The Casbah, The Bex and The Rach!

Well, we needn’t worry for that now, for it was time for THE CASBAH CLUB!
We went to the small tent and right at the front (where else?) where we met Tom Matchett and Sarah Beth. Fab!
Simon and the boys came out, sans Bruce Watson of course, and rocked our socks off!!! I could not stop jumping and singing they were incredible! I observed how fantastic Bruce Foxton was, what a great musician. Simon of course was his own fabulous self, giving us one of the best performances I’ve seen so far. The people screamed, they loved it and so did my friend. I was paralyzed… What a great song Vibrate is. It was for me the highlight of the day so far.

As we came outside of the tent I noticed I had a message from Bex. So I called her and it was really funny because we have never met each other.
Bex: I’m wearing a white skirt.
Me: I’m wearing a white skirt too!
Bex: I see ya!
We hugged each other like long lost friends! She is such a character! We stayed in the VIP area and started talking non-stop. Then she introduced us to her father who has the same amazing blue eyes as his daughters!

While there I saw Noel Gallagher, for whom I have an ongoing crush for ages, with his dreamy little daughter. As I took his picture I screamed “I LOVE YOU! Then, I wanted the earth to open and swallow me.

Just a few minutes before The Who went on stage, Rachel came by and started greeting the people on the table. She was looking stunning! Absolutely gorgeous. I called her name and we hugged and kissed.
She asked me how I was doing with the no-smoking and I said: “I just had a fag now!”

Ok, before you start screaming at me, I needed it, after all this! Just on this occasion, as I said to Rachel… am I forgiven?

She was in quite a hurry. So I gave her Tomoko’s present and she was chuffed, and then a quick photo (Rachel looks gorgeous and I look like my grandmother!) and then she disappeared.

And that was IT! It was time for the main attraction and the main reason I was there…

Chapter four: The Who!

My friend and I decided not to get squashed, so we stayed at the back and right side of the stage, on a high slope, where we had a very good view of the stage. The screens on the stage that is. I could see the band like little ants moving around and a little bit of the background, but what I saw, I saw it mainly from the screens.

For those who didn’t watch the webcast, I have to tell you that the band was absolutely amazing. I have never seen Pete doing so many windmills before. He was playing like it was the end of the world. Roger was great too. His voice blared through the speakers and made my heart jump.
The camera was constantly on Zak, who’s getting better and better and better! Last night he was as furious as Keith. I was breathless.

I joined in with the tens of thousands of people who were cheering and clapping, jumping and screaming. What a feeling!
At the encore at the end, the very last song was Listening To You. Pete wouldn’t stop playing!!! He amazes me every time!

Chapter five: The Conclusion

The best thing, except of course the two incredible bands, was to meet all these wonderful people. I didn’t have a chance to meet Steve H, what a pity, but we spoke on the phone and I’ll see him next week, at the Blinner (see Molly? I am stealing your word and inventing a new one).

It was a lovely day overall. No complaints. The fact that I didn’t get backstage, which would have been a dream, hurt me of course. But I cannot complain. What I lived yesterday cannot be lived by a lot of people. It was truly special and I felt truly privileged. I owe Rachel a lot for that special treatment and I hope I can return the favour one day.

19 comments:

Suesjoy said...

Hi Marietta!
I love your collage. You're so creative!
Thank you so much for the detailed post. You write so well.
Very cool that you got to meet Tomoko! I wonder if SHE got to go backstage?
That's a bummer that you couldn't go backstage. Maybe the fact that it was a festival and not a Who show had something to do with not having access??
hmm...
When you went to the Airstream were they filming the webcast? I take it you didn't see anyone there...oh well!
Still, pretty amazing day you had!
Were you not allowed to take pictures of the Who? I'm surprised you were allowed to take your camera in.
Thanks so much for sharing your day with us, Marietta!
Be well,
Love,
Sue D.

Ron said...

Hi Marietta,

Great review, it was a pleasure to meet you again, and we are both pleased to see you got to Rachel in the end :-) some of these security guys are real 'jobsworth's'....LOL

Take care

Ron

Steve H said...

Hi Marietta

What a great write up! It was a superb day wasn't it. I've put a few pics from Hyde Park up on my blog and a load from last night in Beaulieu - I'm just about ready to drop now!!

See you next week
Steve

Anne-Marie said...

Hi Marietta,
What a fantastic write-up of your magical day. What I love about you is that you're so happy and grateful for your good fortune, and so enthusiastic. Looking forward to meeting up with you next week!

Cheers,
AM

Gary said...

Hey Marietta, great write up and pictures.

BLUNCH.. yeah, I remember saying that somewhere..

We met Dan L yesterday for not quite a BLUNCH, BLINKS Bloggers having Drinks By The Beach.

blue said...

Hi Marietta!!

I got back to JAPAN safely this morning.Still can't believe meeting you, Mark T and Jill/and seeing The Who's gig...That's like a dream.BUT TRUE!!!!!
Thanks for having the happiest moment with me.You are sooooo lovely and sweet,dear.

And congrats on meeting Rachel!
ALSO you gave my gift to her.
THANKS again...you are so kind.

And sorry for missing you there.
After we looked the perks of our tickets, we backed and looked for you with sausages and donuts for you, Mark T and Jill.But I couldn't find you all.I'm so sorry for that.

Hope to see you again soon !

Big love from bottom of my heart.
Tomoko xx

grace said...

Hi Marietta, I have goose bumps from your story!!! Oh what a night! And you did get to meet Rachel. Thank you for sharing your amazing journey!! My dial-up is so slow I have not got to view your pics yet. But I will though. xox Grace

grace said...

Your pictures are fantastic!! Thanks again for sharing

Fleur de Bee said...

BLINNER!!!!!!! Ah I LOVE LOVE LOVE It!

I am so happy and literally held my breath reading this hoping you would read and have a fantastic time! How exciting! Sorry you didn't get to the airstream, but oh well...Glad you had fun anyway!

I am going to host another Blunch or Blinner in the San Diego, La and Vegas areas so anyone who pops over here hit me an email if you want to hook up. More details on my blog.

Your pics are FANTASTIC and VERY creative indeed! I LOVE LOVE LOVE them (that is my new phrase for the day! LOL)

Well off to celebrate the 4th of July here so catch you later. I will pop into my chat tommorrow for a hello. Hope to see you there!

XX

Cheryl Ann said...

Thank you for the play by play.
I too was holding my breath when reading. WOW, what an experience!
You deserve it darlin-
Cherylann

Dale said...

Dear Marietta

I am getting tired of telling you how envious I am of you...

LOL

But I will live my fantasy vicariously through you - how's that?

What a great time you had.

I only can hope that The Who play somewhere close enough for me to drive. Even if I have to travel south to the States, I will.

I will have to look at your photos when I have more time.

Until then - Long Live Rock!

Love & hugs
Dale

Dale said...

Dear Marietta

I am getting tired of telling you how envious I am of you...

LOL

But I will live my fantasy vicariously through you - how's that?

What a great time you had.

I only can hope that The Who play somewhere close enough for me to drive. Even if I have to travel south to the States, I will.

I will have to look at your photos when I have more time.

Until then - Long Live Rock!

Love & hugs
Dale

Dale said...

Dear Marietta

I am getting tired of telling you how envious I am of you...

LOL

But I will live my fantasy vicariously through you - how's that?

What a great time you had.

I only can hope that The Who play somewhere close enough for me to drive. Even if I have to travel south to the States, I will.

I will have to look at your photos when I have more time.

Until then - Long Live Rock!

Love & hugs
Dale

Anne-Marie said...

So Dale told you three times! ;)

Marietta, thanks for popping by my blog. I am so excited about seeing the WC final with you. Boohoo, no Germany.:( Can you email me with a place and time, or are we meeting at the Tea Clipper?

Cheers,
AM

greekzoe said...

I just love your reports Marietta!!

I felt like I was there and I did see it on the web so I can daydream about it?

Your picks are fab! Glad you had a great time.


XXOO
Zoe

Love the profile pic with the flags.

lryicsgrl said...

You've got great spirit Marietta. And such a fantastic writer.........Thanks for sharing your experiences ;)

PTfan said...

Excellent photos, excellent collage, excellent story..as usual!!!!

Gasp!!! I never would have expected, a cigarette! You're not hooked again , are you? Heck woman, you don't need to ask us forgiveness! We love you all the time because you are you. Do you remember we loved you when you smoked? Yep. We did. We do.

I saw the web-cast, it was so exciting! I just loved Amazing Journey/SParks and See Me Feel Me. The Birdman thing was just perfect. LOVED it!! Loved everything! Ugh, love them!!!

Meg said...

Even though you didn't get any nipple action, it sounds like you had a wonderful time an an interesting new experience, one that you can take with you forever. You are a lucky girl!

Unknown said...

WHAT AN AWESOME NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Long Live Rck!!

Lionel