Chapter 15: The not so EasyJet to Mahmood
I bought a ticket to see Italian Eurovision star Mahmood in concert in Luxembourg, but a certain air carrier made that very difficult - despite it's name. A song for Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
From Milan with good vibes | Vu Mailand mat guddem Vibes
I’m a massive Eurovision fan. Each year I fall in love with the artists and their songs that are sent to represent their country in the contest.
Artists like ABBA (Sweden), Käärijä (Norway), Silvester Belt (Lithuania), Carola (Sweden), Angelina Mango (Italy), Måneskin (Italy), Senhit (San Marino), Herreys (Sweden), Baby Lasagna (Croatia) and Go_A (Ukraine) can be found on multiple playlists of mine, with a song catalogue beyond their Eurovision entry. They have charted on my Spotify Wrapped and taught me how to sing in a foreign language. However, one artist has stolen my heart for the last six years and that is Italy’s 2019 entrant Mahmood.
Born in Milan, Mahmood, whose full name is Alessandro Mahmoud, is the son of an Egyptian father and Italian mother. At age five, his father abandoned him, which he reflects on in songs like Soldi and Gioventù Bruta. As a teen he took singing lessons and at 20 was on X Factor Italia, where he was eliminated early on. That moment fuelled him and he began studying musical theory in order to write his own music. Four years later he competed in the “Newcomers” category at the Sanremo Festival, which launched his career.
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In 2019, he returned to the Sanremo Festival to compete for the chance to represent Italy in Eurovision with his song Soldi. It was selected to represent the country, but gained anti-immigration pushback with some questioning if the song should be considered “Italian music.” There have also been questions about his sexuality to which the artist has said, “It makes no sense to make distinctions anymore.”
In the end, his infectious song came second at Eurovision with 472 points. Even though he didn’t win, he won my heart. When he announced his 2024 European tour, I had to see him. So, I selected his first show at Rockhal in Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg on April 4, 2024.
The 27 hour journey to Mahmood | Déi 27 Stonne Rees op Mahmood
The road to see Mahmood should have been simple, it was a 2.5 hour flight with EasyJet from Lisbon to Luxembourg. Little did I know a 27 hour ordeal was about to unravel. I have pieced together a timeline from messages with friends, Airbnb hosts, angry DMs and Instagram Stories. This post will now become the 24 of Substack posts.
April 3
14:00 - Arrive and breeze through security at Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon. Sit at the departure gate. Conduct research for my article. Flight is scheduled for around 16:40.
14:30 - Flight delayed to 17:15.
15:00 - Flight delayed to 17:45
16:00 - Message my Airbnb host. Inform her that my new ETA in Luxembourg is 21:15.
17:00 - Haven’t boarded. Departure still at 17:45.
17:30 - Everyone is restless. Boarding for those requiring assistance (wheelchairs, young children) begins. Those individuals are in the clearance area waiting to be rolled onto the plane. I’M COMING MAHMOOD!
18:00 - Announcement. Flight cancelled. Will be rescheduled on April 4. An uproar begins. People yell at the EasyJet employees. Passengers bound for other flights stare in curiosity as tempers flare. EasyJet directs us to meet in front of Estação Aeroporto (metro station) for next steps. Hands out a sheet informing passengers about potential reimbursement under the EU’s Air Passengers Rights. I grab my information sheet and inquire about the cancellation. EasyJet attendant notes the air crew worked their allotted hours. Fun fact, if you Google “flight cancelled because air crew worked too much” one of the first hits is a forum called EasyJet cancelling a flight when staff is over hours, so it seems common.
20:30 - Waited outside Estação Aeroporto for almost two hours. People continue to yell at the staff, which is unfair as they are the middle-people. EasyJet tells us food, transportation and hotel stay (up to a certain amount) can be claimed back if we choose not to stay at the assigned hotel. Employees inform the new flight is at 06:00.
20:45 - Receive a confirmation email indicating the flight is at 13:50 on April 4, not 06:00. Staff must have confused the existing flight for ours.
21:00 - Conduct #TravelMath on the metro home about my potential schedule in Luxembourg on April 4:
13:50 - Depart Lisbon on a 2.5 hour flight to Luxembourg. Luxembourg is one hour ahead.
17:20 - Arrive in Luxembourg. Exit the plane. Head to the transit stop (transit is free).
17:40 - Estimated arrival time at transit stop.
18:10 - Arrive at Airbnb.
18:30 - Explore Luxembourg City, visit the Musée National d'Archéologie, d'Histoire et d'Art (Nationalmusée um Fëschmaart) and grab food.
19:45 - Take transit to Rockhal.
21:15 - Arrive at Rockhal. Mahmood goes on stage. My mind is blown.
21:15 - Realization that EasyJet will not cockblock me from Mahmood or Luxembourg City.
22:00 - Hangry after all the waiting and math. Grab a pizza at La Matta with Michelle, who is visiting Portugal to meet a man from Luxembourg.
April 4
08:00 - Woke up. Flight delayed to 14:50. Confused by the delay as the flight was not an existing one. EasyJet’s only flight out of Lisbon that day was at 06:00 - which I regret not booking. New Airbnb arrival time is 19:10. Would need to sacrifice exploration time for food.
09:00 - Flight delayed until 15:50. New Airbnb arrival time is 20:10. Cutting it very close.
12:00 - Back at Humberto Delgado Airport. Clear security. Pray flight is early.
14:00 - Gate number appears on screen.
14:30 - Boarding commences. Shuttle bus takes us to a distant tarmac. Board. Seated next to an elderly couple who only speak Luxembourgish. Debate changing into my sluttier outfit on the plane, and taking a sexy airplane bathroom selfie in the process, so that I had one less thing to do when I arrived.
15:00 - Pilot informs us that catering has not arrived. Need to wait. Audible sighs are let out.
16:00 - Catering arrives. Captain informs us of departure backlog. Message broadcast in English and Portuguese, but not French. French-only speakers are angered. Confrontation breaks out in front of me between two passengers. Flight crew intervenes. An English speaker says the fighting could lead to more delays. Everyone calms down. I stress out and become upset about missing the concert. Accept I will not see Luxembourg City as my bus to The Netherlands to see tulips was the next day at 10:30.
17:00 - Depart. Winds in our favour. Still going to miss part of the show. Made the decision to take a cab vs. transit to my Airbnb and to the venue once I land. EasyJet WILL NOT cockblock me from Mahmood.
20:20 - Land. Elderly couple, seeing my panic, let me off first. Run through the airport as if I’m on The Amazing Race, but balanced my franticness to avoid being stopped by airport security.
20:30 - Hop in a cab. Driver was a Serbian. He warms up to me once I share my Serbian lineage. Gives me his card in case I needed anything. Cab ride was 60 euros ($92 CDN).
21:00 - Airbnb host quickly lays out the rules and gives me the keys. I inquire the price of a 15 minute cab ride to the French border, as transit would take too long. She says it will be over 70 euros (~$108 CDN). I almost cry. I was going to have to spend another $100 CDN or miss half the show. The Airbnb host, seeing my stress, offers to take me. I hug her in tears. She changes out of her pyjamas. I freshen up. We leave.
21:30 - Arrive at Rockhal! Thanked Airbnb host profusely. Missed 15 minutes! It was magical. It left me speechless. His presence made me so horny. He was fun and playful.
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April 5
06:00 to 10:00 - Alarm rings. Starts day with a quick three hour tour of Luxembourg City before my bus. Most attractions are closed, but I see the exteriors of Place Guillaume II, Palais Grand-Ducal, Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Luxembourg, Rocher du Bock viewpoint and more.
10:30 - On my Flixbus to The Netherlands. Pass out instantly. Thank God something was on time.
One way or another | Dee Wee oder en aneren
SONG: ONE WAY OR ANOTHER - BLONDIE
Once I woke up on bus to The Netherlands, I filled out EasyJet’s online compensation form (which was a very sketchy system). My expenses amounted to 30 euros, but I asked to be compensated for my cab ride, which EasyJet forced me to take because I was 27 hours late. They only reimbursed the 30 euros, denying me compensation for the cab ride, noting it was after I landed.
Weeks later I received notice saying there would be no compensation for the 27 hour delay as it was an “air traffic issue” beyond their control. I understand that logic for April 4, but there was still the question of April 3, when we were informed it was cancelled due to a staffing issue. Asking this question, EasyJet denied that was the reason - essentially calling me and their staff liars.
It was an annoying experience. I only flew with EasyJet once more after that as I had already booked a flight to the UK in June.
One way or another, I did see Mahmood and explored a small part of Luxembourg City. That is why the Blondie song One Way or Another perfectly represents my time there.
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Also read how the Eurovision song “La Noia” played a part in my European journey!