Packes Syrra

We didn’t want to repeat our mistake from Saturday (not eating anything until like 4 pm) so we started Sunday morning with breakfast at the hotel, then we got ready to go back to the festival. I was a bit stressed because we were a bit late and when we finally went to the lobby to wait for the shuttle bus we found out the bus was stuck in traffic. Apparently there was an accident and/or loads of traffic because everyone wanted to go to Download.

We spent some time waiting in the restaurant/bar area and I watched some football. We started talking to a group of people who was also waiting to go. After about 2 ½ hours of sitting around we finally got to go!
We ended up missing two of the bands that we really wanted to see: Halestorm and Tremonti. I fixed it the best way I could – On the bus on our way to DL I booked my tickets to the Tremonti show in Stockholm.

When we got to the drop off point we were really lucky to be able to see the Ed Force One – Iron Maiden’s own Boeing. It was “parked” at the airport next to the festival. I’m amazed that someone can become a pilot and a rock star at the same time. For those of you who don’t know – Bruce Dickinson, the singer in Iron Maiden, is the one flying their plane around the world! AWESOME!

When we got to Download Disturbed was just about to go on stage. Malin really wanted to see them, but I went to try and fix what we missed even more. Tremonti was actually in the signing tent, so that’s where I went. I saw Disturbed from the queue and things got even more fixed when the band invited Lizzy Hale (the singer from Halestorm) to the stage, so in a way I kinda got to see Halestorm too.

I finally got in the signing tent and that’s when I got nervous. Eric Friedman commented on my t-shirt: “Fuck you you fucking fuck….? Okay!”, then he signed the card. I even forgot to take a guitar pick! When I finally got to Mark Tremonti I got really nervous and excited at the same time. I asked him if I could hug him and I could! I decided to be a rebel and asked for a selfie with him, even though it wasn’t allowed. I even took two!! I was so excited afterwards, that I almost skipped getting an autograph from the bassist in the band. I turned around, and said “Oh, sorry..!” and gave him the thing to sign on. I couldn’t stop smiling! I GOT TO MEET MARK FUCKING TREMONTI!!!!!!

We had some Thai food and watched Nightwish/guys jumping around in the mud and then we went for the “after care” of the tattoos, where they cleaned it, put tattoo cream on and re-wrapped it.

We met the guys for a few drinks and when we were on our way to the main stage see Iron Maiden we decided to go on the Ferris Wheel, all four of us. Just as we got on it Iron Maiden got on stage. We got to see them from the top of the Ferris wheel and it was really awesome to see both the band and the crowd from up there. We said that maybe we should rent that for the whole weekend next year.

Iron Maiden was really awesome as usual. They seem really humble even though they’re kind of the biggest rock legends in history. Seeing them in England was really something special! <3

When we got back to the hotel we started packing. Malin was done like 2 hours before me so she went to bed. When I was done I went down to the reception to book a taxi to the airport. Since Hilton is a bit fancy they helped me book a really expensive taxi - £80 to Birmingham airport. When I got back to the room I googled other companies and I could find a taxi for £55, but since it was like 3AM and I was lazy we decided to keep the expensive taxi booking.

When the driver picked us up I understood why. He was driving a Mercedes Benz that was so comfortable and nice! He was a good driver so it was worth it!

We checked in our luggage and the check-in-lady asked me: “You’re in Business Class?”. I knew we had premium economy tickets so I said “yes we are”. I can understand why she sounded so skeptical because of how I looked – pink/violet hair, Harem pants, hoodie, leather jacket and Wellies (rubber boots). It seemed like we had actually been upgraded to Business Class (not that it would be any different to premium economy). I asked the check-in-lady where the business lounge was… I wonder what she was thinking.

When we got to the Business lounge the lady there had the same look like the lady who checked us in earlier. “Can I help you?” she asked. “Uhm, do you want to see our boarding passes?” “Yes please”, she said sounding like she actually wanted to say “I certainly do” or “You’re in the wrong place, darling”. She looked surprised when she saw them. “Oh, business class? You ladies must have been very good…” she said. (If only she knew…)

The business lounge was really nice and they offered food and drinks for free, so we had an amazing breakfast. Next time we will definitely go back to the lounge and hopefully we’ll have more time to spend there. Way better than hanging around at the gate.

On our first flight to Copenhagen they served food and it was really good. When we arrived we went to the business lounge straight away. The one in Copenhagen was not as nice, since it was a bit crowded and way bigger. Maybe there were more people in there because of the on-going SAS pilot strike. I was too full to eat more food so I just had some snacks and coke. On our last flight to Stockholm I even turned down the food that was served. I managed to get some sleep instead. We were never affected by the strike. (Thank god)

It is a weird feeling coming home from a journey like this, because it makes me feel so filled up with energy and happiness and feeling empty at the same time. Like, you’ve waited for something for so long (8 months) and all of a sudden it is all over… BUT! On our first day at Download we decided to go back again next year. Only ~11 months to go…

I want to say thanks to everyone who made this trip to one of the best in my life! (you know who you are) Especially to my SisterInsane/PartnerInCrime/B2/Dawg Malin! Thank you, I love you all! <3
XXX