Ayu in London November 2011 ~PART I~

[minamitan]

Let me share my stories now.

1st encounter: 15/11/11

I wasn't planning to wait in front of her hotel that day, but luckily for me, earlier that day, I went on the teamayu website and saw ayu's tweet to aura. I HAD to meet her. I missed her last Saturday and I wasn't going to miss the fanmeet again. So I prepared everything; gloves, lots of layers and food.

As I hopped onto the bus, listening to Ayu's songs to calm my nerves, I realised I forgot to bring a spoon. I know. I know. It seems irrelevant but for the whole bus ride, i was contemplating whether to get a spoon from somewhere nearby so I searched high and low for a disposable spoon. I eventually found it in Marks & Spencers.

I walked straight to Claridge's, and I saw a lot of people had gathered. And then I saw Ayu, well just her back. I wasn't prepared at all. And because I was actually the last one to arrive, I didn't have to queue at all. I took a picture with her and asked her for autographs. There weren't much words exchanged during the encounter. But somehow, in front of her, I felt like I turned into a little girl. (Maybe that was why I unintentionally 'baby'-ed my voice.

I used my phone for the the picture so the picture was sadly not high quality and there was also no red-eye effect. Looking back at it, I looked weird and awkward. We took a group photo and since I was small, I managed to squeeze myself to the front next to Ayu.

I went and immediately called my friend. My friend asked how I felt, I kept replying, "I don't know." I felt like crying, but I couldn't. I felt like jumping, but I couldn't. Maybe, it's because part of me still believes that it was all a dream and that me refuses to celebrate it, fearing that I would wake up someday. (OK, the last line was cheesy)

Will write about the 2nd encounter next time!!!

[asmAyumi1992]

^I could scream for you if you want >_<

[YUKARI]

Originally Posted by Beffi

Spoiler:

kawaii!!

thanks for sharing!

[2Hurt]

So as promised my picture with Ayu ^^

Spoiler:

Meeting her was really amazing, she was really kind and told me my hat is cute She signed my Love Songs & Remix LTD boxsets (http://twitpic.com/7gcarq) and she was so kind, she thanked me and I thanked her a thousand times XD Amazing experience ^^ I'm so happy I met her


Good luck to all people still going to meet her!!

[bluecyclone]

I´m so happy for you guys i feel your happiness!!! And also it's very cool that Ayu takes the time to talk and sign and take photosss! !!!

[Kagome-chan]

I've meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet Ayu yesteerday!

The best day of my life!

But our experience has been really mmh, strange....filled with moments of joy and moments of disappointment >_<


Sorry for my english, we're not best friends =D



We arrived at the hotel at midnight, so we went to sleep waiting for the next day!
The next day we went in front of the Claridge's at 17.00, and initially we were only 6 people! We spent our time to chat, tweet to Ayu saying that we were outside the hotel...but nada!
Mitsu came at 22.30 to tell us that Ayu would not be out that evening, and that she was busy with the new songs.
Basically we went there from 17.00 to 22.30 to take cold and to freeze =D

Obviously we were disappointed, but we were convinced that the next day she would come out (since she didn't appear in 2 days in a row)

The second day we went there at 16.00 and we were about 15 people! In addition there was 2 Japanese people, a girl and a boy who had come from Saitama only to see Ayu in London (because in Japan they can only see the concerts and they can't talk with her, to get autographs, etc.). But the shocking thing is that they were not even went to their hotel after 12 hours and more of flight and they came directly in front of Claridge's with all the suitcases without resting at all ... they are not human · A ·

The same waiting, the same tweets begging her to come because it was the last day for us and our last opportunity to see her (so we were desperate) ...

Then I went to Starbucks to buy something hot to drink with Mami and Aura ... and when we came back we saw Tim.

HE'S WONDERFUL!! He came to us, we talked, then I told him that it was the last chance to see Ayu and he said "I didn't see Ayu today, however, if I meet her I'll let her know about it!" and on twitter he said to me "great to be able to meet u in person!" He's a fantastic person without any doubt! Very friendly!

But then ... at around 20.30 Mitsu came again to tell us that Ayu would not be out that evening either.
So we were desperate, I almost had tears in the eyes. The only thing we could do was leave to him our gifts for Ayu.
A mixture of anger, disappointment, despair .... absurd.

When we come back to the hotel we sent to Ayu tweets like, "it was the only chance to see you, I'm really sad that I couln't meet you".... and things like that ...

At 03.00am I got a message from a friend saying: Ayu said that she will meet you today...


There, I woke up in the panic..and our hopes werw reborn, we started to hope again (since we went bed with a ****** mood) and we went immediately to look at that tweet and she said: "loBely fans in the UK! I've been very busy recently .. sorry I could not meet up u.Lets c tmrw Let Him @ hidemitsuh know if u have 2 When leave! "

Basically we knew it was directed TO US because we were the only ones to leave on that day! A lot of people helped us to tweet to Ayu about our departure ;___;

So we told that Mitsu that could stay in front of the hotel until 14:30 - 15:00 because then we had to take the bus to go to the airport.

So yesterday morning we went outside the hotel at 12.00 and we started to wait .. and wait ... and to keep tweeting Mitsu!
But still nothing ... we did not know what to think ... because she usually exit at 17-18!
At some point while I was on Twitter I read a message of Mitsu "To Ayu's fans waiting to see her: She is working out and we will be back around 2:30. See you then!"

ENDLESS JOY.

We waited and then a staff member came to ask if we were ok and he said: "Ayumi will be here in 5-10 minutes, okay?"

TIOHREFKORITHGRJEFKFORIG I STARTED TO DIE. NervousNervousNervousNervousNervous!

At some point I started to hear screams ... I turned to the side .... and my heart stopped beating.

She arrived, had a white fur ... and...and..and .. she was so beautiful ;____;

The first thing she said was "who have to leave?" or something like that..and...how cute...she was talking about me and Mami ;___;

She went outside before her normal time to meet fans ONLY FOR US!
I immediately I raised my hand and she told me to come;_____;

I went next to her, I gave her my CD and while she was signed she asked me "At what time are you leaving ? At what time do you have the flight?" ... I was in a panic, I did not know how to answer, I did not even know my name XDDD and I said "We have to leave in 30 minutes" ... but panic XDD

Then it was time to take a picture together, I gave my camera to Mitsu but there were 2 other staff members, one was taking the picture with his iPhone (all with Swarovski and in the back cover there was the new logo, the HOTEL Love Song) and one with her Lumix!

I went near her and she hugged me tightly, she stuck her face on mine and put his hand to the side of the head, near the ear XD

I thanked her a thousand times, that's all. My mind was blank, I could not think of anything! I couldn't say anything XD

There were so many people, about 30! Everyone with autographs and individual photo!

Of course ..... I burst into tears .... and all the eyeliner start to melting and I looked like a panda LOL, I had it EVERYWHERE XDD
Tim looked at us and made a face like "oooh come on, do not cry <33" and then he came to us and asked "ehi, how are you?" and me "BAD" XDDD
Then we took a picture together XD

The driver of Ayu is a *****.

However in the end we had a group photo, she thanked us and went away.

Of course it was the happiest day of my life, we lost hope of meeting her, we were very disappointed .... but the miracle happened for real!

We felt so guilty for all the disappointed tweets that we've have sent to her,
But at the same time...these tweets helped us to see her ... and..she came early just for us ;__;

She's a wonderful woman, so small and tender ;____; I LOVE HER SO MUCH

I'll post my photos this evening!

[owlflight]

^Reading your story makes me want to hop on the next plane to London. I love all the stories and pictures and it gives me hope that maybe one day, I can meet Ayu.

[AyuWorld]

Originally Posted by Kagome-chan

I've meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet Ayu yesteerday!

The best day of my life!

But our experience has been really mmh, strange....filled with moments of joy and moments of disappointment >_<


Sorry for my english, we're not best friends =D



We arrived at the hotel at midnight, so we went to sleep waiting for the next day!
The next day we went in front of the Claridge's at 17.00, and initially we were only 6 people! We spent our time to chat, tweet to Ayu saying that we were outside the hotel...but nada!
Mitsu came at 22.30 to tell us that Ayu would not be out that evening, and that she was busy with the new songs.
Basically we went there from 17.00 to 22.30 to take cold and to freeze =D

Obviously we were disappointed, but we were convinced that the next day she would come out (since she didn't appear in 2 days in a row)

The second day we went there at 16.00 and we were about 15 people! In addition there was 2 Japanese people, a girl and a boy who had come from Saitama only to see Ayu in London (because in Japan they can only see the concerts and they can't talk with her, to get autographs, etc.). But the shocking thing is that they were not even went to their hotel after 12 hours and more of flight and they came directly in front of Claridge's with all the suitcases without resting at all ... they are not human · A ·

The same waiting, the same tweets begging her to come because it was the last day for us and our last opportunity to see her (so we were desperate) ...

Then I went to Starbucks to buy something hot to drink with Mami and Aura ... and when we came back we saw Tim.

HE'S WONDERFUL!! He came to us, we talked, then I told him that it was the last chance to see Ayu and he said "I didn't see Ayu today, however, if I meet her I'll let her know about it!" and on twitter he said to me "great to be able to meet u in person!" He's a fantastic person without any doubt! Very friendly!

But then ... at around 20.30 Mitsu came again to tell us that Ayu would not be out that evening either.
So we were desperate, I almost had tears in the eyes. The only thing we could do was leave to him our gifts for Ayu.
A mixture of anger, disappointment, despair .... absurd.

When we come back to the hotel we sent to Ayu tweets like, "it was the only chance to see you, I'm really sad that I couln't meet you".... and things like that ...

At 03.00am I got a message from a friend saying: Ayu said that she will meet you today...


There, I woke up in the panic..and our hopes werw reborn, we started to hope again (since we went bed with a ****** mood) and we went immediately to look at that tweet and she said: "loBely fans in the UK! I've been very busy recently .. sorry I could not meet up u.Lets c tmrw Let Him @ hidemitsuh know if u have 2 When leave! "

Basically we knew it was directed TO US because we were the only ones to leave on that day! A lot of people helped us to tweet to Ayu about our departure ;___;

So we told that Mitsu that could stay in front of the hotel until 14:30 - 15:00 because then we had to take the bus to go to the airport.

So yesterday morning we went outside the hotel at 12.00 and we started to wait .. and wait ... and to keep tweeting Mitsu!
But still nothing ... we did not know what to think ... because she usually exit at 17-18!
At some point while I was on Twitter I read a message of Mitsu "To Ayu's fans waiting to see her: She is working out and we will be back around 2:30. See you then!"

ENDLESS JOY.

We waited and then a staff member came to ask if we were ok and he said: "Ayumi will be here in 5-10 minutes, okay?"

TIOHREFKORITHGRJEFKFORIG I STARTED TO DIE. NervousNervousNervousNervousNervous!

At some point I started to hear screams ... I turned to the side .... and my heart stopped beating.

She arrived, had a white fur ... and...and..and .. she was so beautiful ;____;

The first thing she said was "who have to leave?" or something like that..and...how cute...she was talking about me and Mami ;___;

She went outside before her normal time to meet fans ONLY FOR US!
I immediately I raised my hand and she told me to come;_____;

I went next to her, I gave her my CD and while she was signed she asked me "At what time are you leaving ? At what time do you have the flight?" ... I was in a panic, I did not know how to answer, I did not even know my name XDDD and I said "We have to leave in 30 minutes" ... but panic XDD

Then it was time to take a picture together, I gave my camera to Mitsu but there were 2 other staff members, one was taking the picture with his iPhone (all with Swarovski and in the back cover there was the new logo, the HOTEL Love Song) and one with her Lumix!

I went near her and she hugged me tightly, she stuck her face on mine and put his hand to the side of the head, near the ear XD

I thanked her a thousand times, that's all. My mind was blank, I could not think of anything! I couldn't say anything XD

There were so many people, about 30! Everyone with autographs and individual photo!

Of course ..... I burst into tears .... and all the eyeliner start to melting and I looked like a panda LOL, I had it EVERYWHERE XDD
Tim looked at us and made a face like "oooh come on, do not cry <33" and then he came to us and asked "ehi, how are you?" and me "BAD" XDDD
Then we took a picture together XD

The driver of Ayu is a *****.

However in the end we had a group photo, she thanked us and went away.

Of course it was the happiest day of my life, we lost hope of meeting her, we were very disappointed .... but the miracle happened for real!

We felt so guilty for all the disappointed tweets that we've have sent to her,
But at the same time...these tweets helped us to see her ... and..she came early just for us ;__;

She's a wonderful woman, so small and tender ;____; I LOVE HER SO MUCH

I'll post my photos this evening!

i think this is the best story ever! of course others are the best too!

like she made just for you two! she is really the sweetest diva person singer or whatever people called her how many super diva out there who would care if her fans couldnt meet her, come from far and she fullfilled your dream even shes busy! can imagine when she asked "who have to leave?" she really cares about her fans

[MissElin_]

Aaaaw such sweet stories!!~
I'm so happy for everybody who gets to meet her!

[CeReSu]

Hello guys!! I met Ayu yesterday!! Here is my photo



Ayu was so sweet! First with my friend, we offer our present: belgian chocolates and french wine! Ayu was so happy! After that is was my turn!
Ayu signed my MOON/Blossom Single (limited edition I bought when I was in Japan) and my Rock'n'Roll Circus!

I talked to her and explained that I already met her last year in London, and I also saw her Arena Tour 2010. At this moment I showed her my banner special "Ayu in London". Ayu was impressed so I asked to her if she could sign it!
She agreed and asked my name!
It was so fun because my name is not easy and especially long! So Mitsu helped her to write it!!! Here:



To the end, Ayu and I make the photo ♥♥♥ She's so sweet and kind!!

Ps: I also had a photo with Tim Wellard! He was really nice with everyone!

[Beffi]

Ahh Kagome-chan! Your story brings tears to my eyes, because now I remember yesterday so perfectly.

I left yesterday too, but it was around 6, so I also thought I wouldn't get to meet her. I don't think I can thank Mitsu enough, haha.

[asmAyumi1992]

Kagome-chan Lucky you!!!!

[Mai82Go]

Ayu looks so fluffy in that coat. I think I would have to hold myself back not to cuddle up to her!

She is so sweet and open with the fans. It's amazing. And wow, fans coming from Japan. It must be hard for them to see that Ayu meets fans just like that in Europe and the US. They get concerts all the time but not a personal meet up.

[spanishfan]

Kagome-chan your story is so beautiful, Ayu's great!

[toniayu]

beautiful stories...

[matt9210]

Originally Posted by 2Hurt

So as promised my picture with Ayu ^^

Spoiler:

Meeting her was really amazing, she was really kind and told me my hat is cute She signed my Love Songs & Remix LTD boxsets (http://twitpic.com/7gcarq) and she was so kind, she thanked me and I thanked her a thousand times XD Amazing experience ^^ I'm so happy I met her


Good luck to all people still going to meet her!!

You didn't have to wear your diva glasses then ;D Was nice meeting you and your friend! <3

[thesweetseason]

Not to sound like a bum or anything, but I'm not too keen on clutching my things while I sleep in a hostel and it seems like I have plague and no one wants to CouchSurf with me. Is anyone thinking of going between Wednesday and Friday, so I can tag along and stay with you? Otherwise I'm just going to stay at Claridge's and... not sleep.

[!Lawi!]

Originally Posted by thesweetseason

Were you the girl with the sweet make-up!? My coach left very early so I couldn't stay with you guys. Looks like she didn't show though? Does anyone want to stay with me next week? I might do Wednesday through Friday because I work during the weekends. I'd rather miss university than work.

Nope I am a boy x) And no, she didn't show up, I missed her Maybe next time !

[Luja.]

So nice to read the new stories! So happy for everyone, as always.

Originally Posted by Mai82Go

And wow, fans coming from Japan. It must be hard for them to see that Ayu meets fans just like that in Europe and the US. They get concerts all the time but not a personal meet up.

I am impressed by how dedicated (and crazy) these Japanese fans are to even fly to London to meet her.
I always wonder who's in a better position, the fans in Japan or the International ones. Of course it's super cool that she meets us individually and even takes photos. But on the other hand, we love her because of her music, don't we? So, the concerts are all about the music. And they take place several times a year. If you wanted, you could go to many a year if you live in Japan.
And for meeting her personally, many of us have to pay lots of money for the flights and hostel stays, and even more if we ever want to see her in concert in Japan.

[2Hurt]

Originally Posted by matt9210

You didn't have to wear your diva glasses then ;D Was nice meeting you and your friend! <3

Haha no diva glasses It was great pleasure to meet you, sad you had to miss her though, I felt really bad

About the Japanese fans, they were so dedicated and so sweet! I really really loved them XD they had tour goods and fanmade stuffs with them.. also they had lots of photo albums of different tours & events and they wanted to take pictures with everyone, really cute They really follow her everywhere ^^;
It was really great not to just meet Ayu, but also so many nice people and it was great to see all of us Ayu fans unite to get Ayu there before some had to leave and such, like we do that for each other.. and ofcourse Ayu was too nice for showing up early on Saturday and taking time for everyone