| Submitted by: Emilio Pacheco (rsf4483@pro.via-rs.com.br) Varig flight 165 to Sao Paulo, now boarding... It was November 1st, 1997. The plane was scheduled to depart from Curitiba at 12:45 PM. I was the first to board it. The guys from Erasure were right behind me, whistling Strangers In The Night. I was going to watch Davidās second Brazilian concert in the Earthling Tour. As I took my seat I immediately recognized Gail-Ann Dorsey at the opposite end of the aisle, on the same line of seats. Then I saw Reeves Gabrels and Mike Garson coming in, too. Could it be that I would travel on the same plane as David? I kept my eyes wide open, but I never saw him. The guy who sat on my left said he was in Davidās back-up team. He confirmed that David was in the plane with Iman. So I thought: if I play my cards right, Iāll eventually meet him. Unfortunately, that was not to be. The night before I had watched the show in Curitiba. Although I was paying for the trip from my own pocket, I had managed to get a Press Pass for the Curitiba show, as Iām a regular contributor for the Brazilian music paper International Magazine. That meant I was allowed in the restricted area to take pictures during the first three songs. I also talked to Davidās press agent, a blonde woman in her forties whose name I had neglected to ask. So when I saw her again in the plane I asked the guy next to me what her name was. He took a piece of paper where he wrote her name. He also wrote HIS name in parentheses, in case I needed him. When the plane was about to land, I asked him whether it was possible to get Davidās autograph. He said it would be impossible, as David would leave quickly as soon as he got off the plane. Stupid me, I should have asked while the plane was in mid-flight. So I had to be content with the fact that I had traveled on the same plane as him. There was some turbulence during landing, so I just thought of Davidās legendary fear of flights. As I went down the escalator to the baggage claim area, Mike Garson was in front of me. He had a pimple on the back of his neck! The next day, on the plane from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro, I traveled with No Doubt. Gwen Stefani looked exhausted, so I couldnāt resist quoting a line from one of her songs when walked past her: You sure have changed since yesterday! I went on walking, but I could hear her say HA! In Rio I found the hotel where David was staying. I didnāt meet him, but I saw the back-up guy again. He said he had to leave right away, but gave me his room number so I could slip the Earthling booklet under the door. He said he would get Davidās autograph for me. Mike Garson was with him and this time I shook his hand. I couldnāt believe I was touching the very fingers that had played piano on my first Bowie album, Aladdin Sane. I asked him whether he was still a Scientologist. He said he wasnāt and hadnāt been for 15 years. After the Rio show I recognized Davidās bodyguard and asked if he knew the back-up guy. After I gave him a quick explanation he told the Brazilian security guards that I could remain there for five more minutes, as they were telling me to go away. He went backstage and soon my friend emerged with my autographed CD sleeve: ĪFor Emilio, best wishes & many thanks, Bowie Ī97 He also said he hoped to see me again and I could look for him if I went to another Bowie concert. Nice roadie, I thought. Several months later I found that the roadie was actually Davidās consultant and major PR man. I still have the piece of paper where he wrote his name: Alan Edwards. Heās currently working with the Spice Girls. All in all, it was I great trip. I watched all three shows in Brazil - Curitiba, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro - and met a few Internet friends face to face for the first time. Emilio Pacheco
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