German agent and long-time friend of The Exchange Florian Städtler helped us to find our first stop in Europe. We’d worked with him in the past at corporate events, but we finally landed on his turf. After landing we were picked up in a gigantic bus and flew out onto the autobahn. After a long drive and reversing through a few tiny residential alleyways in a full-size bus, we pulled into Europa Park where we’d stay and sing in the bar.
By stroke of luck, the entire family behind the Europa Park name was in the Italian-themed bar as we performed, and we struck up a friendship immediately after the show. Side note: After flirting with some of the family members, they informed us that they were otherwise taken (by the people who hired us). I’ve never seen body language change so uniformly :). Long story, short: they invited us back! I guess we didn’t screw it up!
We took to the road to perform in Austria and Switzerland where we found sleepy towns but raucous audiences. Some of the best shows we’ve ever had. And the after-parties were legendary! As we made our way back to Europa Park. Our relationship with the family, particularly Katja and Thomas, grew better and stronger. We were even invited to open for Olly Murs as he was shortly appearing at the park’s arena theater. We were slated to start singing on a cruise at the same time as the Olly Murs show, but postponed our boarding date (and city).
Since we couldn’t board in Russia (due to visa problems), we camped out in beautiful Stockholm. After a few of the poorest days of our lives (literally dining on oat powder for days), we boarded the ship. Food and gym and people and half-off drinks we could put on a credit card…just heaven! We danced and stayed up late and worked out and recorded and filmed two videos and performed a big show for the passengers. Really an amazing time. We even stopped in Copenhagen and Hamburg for a few days each where we had a lot of drinks and very little sleep.
The final button on the tour was a stopover in Berlin to visit our close friend Tina Becker. She showed us around Berlin and cooked for us, played our music and made us feel right at home. The morning I left by myself, the 6 months on tour was ringing in my ear. It was beautiful. My life was changed. All of my money spent, my heart intensely exercised, my body breaking, the neurons in my head sparking. I’d learned to love again and knew my future.