If you're like me, you might wonder, once in a while, in those moments when random thoughts invade your head, about sweepstakes winners. Okay, maybe not, but you know what I mean. I often see companies advertise these amazing-sounding sweepstakes, with some great grand prize or a slew of cool first, second, and third-places prizes. "Do people really, actually, truly win those things?" Hard Rock recently hosted the Ambassadors of Rock "Win Trips Around the World" sweepstakes. One lucky person would get to go to four of Hard Rock's Ambassadors of Rock shows, with hotel, flights, and spending cash included. The winner just tells us where they want to go to, and we send 'em. Simple.
Well, people really do win these things. I know because I talked to our Ambassadors of Rock grand prize-winner, Leah K. from Akron, OH, the other day about her trip to Buenos Aires, seeing U.K. rockers Muse, and wandering around one of the coolest cities in South America. We also talked about the other stops she's hitting up on the Ambassadors Of Rock tour, and the only thing in the world that could've possibly kept her away from Hard Rock Calling at Hyde Park, London.
Flying from Cleveland to D.C. to Buenos Aires isn't exactly the shortest flight in the world, but Leah managed to sleep most of the way. She'd forgotten, however, that the southern hemisphere's seasons are the exact opposite time of year as those up here. (That would be the northern hemisphere for all the kids reading this who fell asleep during geography.) Our summer is their winter and vice-versa. So, after checking in to the luxurious Park Hyatt, Leah and her friend (yes, we sent along a friend, too) bought some winter wear and set out to explore one of the most fantastic cities on the planet. She says they "walked a billion miles" that first day, covering as much ground as daylight allowed. Four nights and five days seems like a long time, but when you're in another country, another part of the world, a whole 'nother frigging hemisphere, you want to experience as much as possible, and it never seems like there's enough time. Leah, though, got to see much of the city, from the "ritzy, hoity-toity" spots to the extremely friendly and down-to-earth La Boca neighborhood, where she got to "just eat street food and hang out."
Muse, Leah says, put on an awesome show. Though she wasn't "a religious fan of theirs," she says the show changed her mind. They rocked out and the crowd ate it up, singing along and screaming their local football (soccer, for all us North Americans) chants. "The sound was perfect. The crowd was awesome. Muse are definitely good performers." 'Nuff said.
So, why didn't Leah go to Hard Rock Calling in London? "My appendix exploded the week before." She had an appendectomy, but still wanted to travel to London, having her heart set on it for so long. After the little appendix surgery and two days before she was supposed to leave, though, she came down with double pneumonia, effectively shutting down her London plans. Bummer. Exploding appendix and double pneumonia suck.
Even though there are some cool stops for Ambassadors Of Rock in the States, Leah wants to continue the international theme of her travels. In that vein, she's chosen Singapore and Tokyo as the other two stops for her world tour. Seeing The Wailers in Singapore, one of the most beautiful places on Earth, might be enough for some people, but our little Leah deserves even more. Hence, Tokyo's on her list, too. In Japan, Mötley Crüe will be rolling through the Japanese countryside, tearing up every audience that comes to the shows, and Leah will be right there, rocking out with the best of them.
Any final words, Leah?
"I'm forever indebted to Hard Rock. It's awesome."