RHR European Blog

Day 1: Wednesday, 4 June 2008

Depart Melbourne

At 7.30pm, the members of the Red Hot Rhythmakers (and a few accompanying partners and parents) assembled at the International Terminal of Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport. After making a list and checking it twice, the group moved towards the check-in desks with an air of excitement mixed with a certain amount of apprehensiveness. Fortunately, the Qantas staff didn’t panic at the sight of the double bass and all proceeded smoothly through customs.

There were puzzled looks from the customs officers when casting an eye over some of the occupations listed by the band, notably ‘banjoist’ and ‘customs officer’.

Hours of sitting in the cramped aircraft cabin proved tiring for everyone, especially six foot four Andrew – his first flight ever. He even removed his tie eventually. All were glad to step out into the uber-organised environment of Hong Kong airport, where a perusal of the local shops confused Cassandra. How do you find a bargain when you don’t know what a Hong Kong dollar is worth?

Back onto the plane. Hours passed.

Day 2: Thursday, 5 June 2008

It was a relief to finally find ourselves waiting to collect our luggage at Heathrow airport, after about an hour waiting in line at Immigration. We were reunited at this point with our drummer and vocalist Sandra, who had only recently arrived from the US herself. Richard, her husband, was particularly pleased.

Jason, armed with his extensive first-hand knowledge of London, led us fearlessly towards the Tube. Soon we were amusing ourselves with the thick accent of the announcements constantly exhorted us to ‘mind the gap between the train and the platform’.

Bustling Piccadilly Station proved difficult to navigate with a party of nine musicians, complete with double bass and backpacks, but even more frightening was the realisation that the lift at our local hostel was out of order. Which floor were we on? The sixth, of course!

While Sandra, Lauren and Cass went off in search of a meal, Jason led an entourage to meet with his mate Graham, who had graciously stored our empty CD cases and our brand new music stands. Tomorrow’s job was to put about 800 CDs into their cases, purchased by Jason in London in March.

By this stage, everyone was well and truly exhausted. That didn’t stop Jason, Simon, Joel, Andrew and Michael from a long stroll through Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, and past Downing Street, Whitehall and Westminster Abbey.

11.30pm found everyone asleep in their rooms as the balmy London summer night began to cool.