By Fumie Yoshida

I have had a dream for many years. It is to go to the U.K. and feel Oasis in their birthplace. My dream came true this summer when I went to the U.K. in the SU study abroad program. I have been captivated with Oasis, which is from Manchester, UK, and listen to them and other British rock 'n' roll groups that influenced me since my high school days.

British rock 'n' roll is different from America and other countries'. It is similar to Japan, which I think is more delicate and polite. There's no gaiety or optimisism in British rock. It expresses human's true feelings. I thought I would go there after my English improves, but then I thought I should not waste this good opportunity, so I participated in this trip with my parents' help. I was yearning to go to the U.K. for a long time. I had a few anxieties, but I dived into it daringly. I lost my sanity because of happiness.

Oasis is from Manchester, but there are also many places in London connected to them. I decided to go everywhere I could, so I prepared carefully while in Japan. I heard from friends that we sometimes can meet members of Oasis in London, and I carried the best Oasis album (WHAT'S THE STORY) MORNING GLORY? in my bag.

It was so hard to go to the U.K. because of the long flight and I couldn't get to sleep. I thought I needed to calm down, so I listened to Oasis on my MD player, but it made me excited and became impatient. As we approached Heathrow Airport, I could see London below, and I felt a lump in my throat. When we landed at Heathrow, I cried tears of joy. I had finally arrived in the U.K.

Just by arriving at the airport, my Oasis journey had begun. Heathrow Airport is used on the jacket cover of Oasis' single, "Don't Go Away." I didn't know which angle it was taken from, but I was happy just to be there. I saw some buildings related to Oasis as I traveled to my host family's house from the Airport. I saw the big mansion which was used in the promotion video of the single "(WHAT'S THE STORY) MORNING GLORY?," and Earls court, where Oasis held many live gigs. I saw them from in the bus, so I thought I would go there again, but it couldnﾕt do it because it was so far from home.

After arriving in London, it took a few days to get accustom to the vicinity of my host family's house. After a few days I decided to go to Berwick Street first. This street was used on the jacket cover of the album "(WHAT'S THE STORY) MORNING GLORY?" It is a mecca for Oasis fans. It is located in the center of London. Itﾕs near Oxford Street, but I mistakenly went from Piccadilly Circus, so I lost my way. I asked a patrolling policeman the way, and tried to go there, but I couldn't find it because the streets are so complex. Trudging down the street thinking about what I should do, I came across a sign that said Berwick Street. I somehow found it in the course of losing my way. I picked up the album from my bag and compared the picture with the sight. I felt like I was in the picture of the album. I cried there because of the emotion I felt.

I went to this street three times in total. The second time I got caught in the rain, so I sat in cafe located in the center of this street, and had a coffee while viewing the street. The clerks of a used CD shop on this street were friendly. I told them that I love Oasis and they explained things to me about that street. Also, a friendly young man who sat next to me in the cafe spoke to me. This street is different from the showy streets of London, like in the old part of London. It made me feel warm. People on that street are all kind. I keenly felt there is a street like this still in the big city. It is not for the upper class, but for the working class. Is this the reason why Oasis, who are from the working class, chose this street for the cover of their album?

I couldn't find any members of Oasis downtown because they were on holiday. My friends told me there is a shop that sells Oasis goods in Covent Gardens, so I went there. There was a very small shop, and it sold not only Oasis goods, but also Beatles goods as well as goods of other bands'. I bought a calendar which is not sold in Japan. The clerks were all Japanese women, and they told me where members of Oasis live and where they can usually be spotted. I went where they told me, but I couldn't meet any of them.

I also wanted to go to Regent Park, which is the biggest park in London. Oasis vocalist Liam Gallagher sings a love song called "Songbird" with a guitar under a big tree in the park. Although it's cloudy in this promotion video, it is a bright and beautiful song. To get to this park I went to London by bus, train and tube and finally reached Baker Street Station. I mistook the exit, so even though it ought to have taken only a few minutes to get there, it took me over an hour. I excitedly set my MD player to "Songbird" before I entered the park. It was a cloudy day like in the promotion video and many families and couples were there. I couldn't walk around all of this park because it is so large. I was so afraid of the many birds such as pigeons and big ducks that I have never seen in Japan near the waterside. The breeze was comfortable, as was the music. It was as if I were in the promotion video. If I had brought a guitar to the U.K., I would have sung "Songbird" in that park. I sat on the bench and started drawing pictures while listening to Oasis. I drew many birds and big trees. Then, an old woman and a little boy sat next to me. The boy was so cute, so I waved to him, and he waved back to me, smiling.

My heart became warm when I made contact with the people who are in Berwick Street, Regent Park, and the places that relate to Oasis. That is the reason members of Oasis chose these places, I think. They are heartwarming places even though they are in the midst of a big city. They give the illusion of being in different place. If I go to the U.K. again, I want to go to the places where I went this time. Oasis made me happy with their music and gave me the chance to meet many nice people in London. I really thank Oasis. Oasis has been a tremendous influence on me in the past and will continue to influence me from now on.