Leeds

Wow...where to even begin! I arrived in Leeds and grabbed a taxi from the train station cause it was yucky and raining. My taxi dropped me at my hotel! Hotel, yes! It was amazing. The owner greeted me at the door, checked me in, carried my bags up to my room! I didn't have my own bathroom, but my room was splendid! I had my own kettle, TV, sink, wardrobe! It was worth the extra money! Plus there was a full cooked to order breakfast in the morning! It doesn't get much better!

So I hopped the bus into the city after relaxing in my room and having the best shower of my whole trip! (I've been sick, so this was just what I needed!) Anyway, I caught a bus into the city, did some shopping, wandered down to the venue...

Again, SOLD OUT! Seriously??? I was totally bummed! So I started talking to this guy outside the venue...he had traveled to see the show as well (big Jonah fan!) and he didn't have tickets either. So after awhile his friend joined us and we walked around the venue, after learning that they would not be letting any more people in or on the guest list. Well, as we were walking, the guys were doing a soundcheck and there was this huge window right at the back of the stage (see pics for further here) and you could literally hear everything! So we decided we'd just watch the show from back there...

So Craig (my new friend), and his friend and I went to the pub in the train station to stay out of the cold until the show started. I walked up to the bar to order a Newcastle and the bartender extended his hand to shake mine and said, "What's your name, love?" I told him my name was Kristi, and he said, "I've never met a woman that drinks dark." It was hilarious! I didn't know it was unusual...I love Newcastle!

Anyway, we went back to the venue, picking up a six pack on the way, and settled in the alley outside the window...Craig's friend had to leave before Jonah came on, so it was just Craig and I dancing and singing in the alley to Jonah songs. Then we spotted Frank Turner (the show's headliner!) sitting on the side of the stage singing along as well. He then looked our way and we gave him a little wave. The next thing we knew Frank Turner walked out the back door and said, "I might be able to get you in, if anyone asks just tell them your my cousins or something!" So he took us up the back stairwell and we watched the rest of the show from the side of the stage! It was incredible! Jonah came off the stage, all sweaty, and gave Craig a hug, saying, "I see you got in!" and then me a hug, saying, "It's very nice to see you again!" So we were glowing! It was an awesome night! Everything fell into place and worked out better than could have been expected!

Craig then had to leave before the end of the show to catch his train, but I had met some other very nice people and we went to a pub after the show! I definitely made some cool friends in Leeds and Craig's going to meet me in Liverpool for the show there!

I didn't do much else in Leeds to be perfectly honest...the weather was crappy! On to Nottingham and Liverpool!