DREAM COME TRUE ❤️❤️❤️ (United Kingdom 2017)
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| Tower Bridge ... pero nasa London Bridge ako nyan. hahaha |
I was introduced to the British culture at an early age as my family had always been obsessed with the Royal Family. That's why I've always dreamed of going to the UK ever since I was a child. I always dreamed of going there and visiting their tourist spots and learn about their culture. And it grew even more when I was introduced to pop music. I Spice Girls, Boyzone, Westlife, S Club 7, and of course, Steps.
When I was around 7yrs old, my uncle bought me a VCD copy or STEPS 'first concert. I fell in love with them the moment I pressed, and the rest was history. I badly wanted to watch them live. I have not had the chance to see them because they've already disbanded. But that did not stop me from becoming a fan.
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| Tourist na tourist ang lola mo. hahaha |
Years passed, I've graduated college and finally had a job. When Steps announced that they were going to celebrate their 20th anniversary, I knew that this was the moment that I've been waiting for my whole life. Without any second thoughts, I immediately bought a ticket for the meet and greet, if there were any risks at that time: I had no visa yet, I was not a regular employee and a health scare. A few months later, I became an official employee, plus I finally had my visa.
There had been slight delays with this trip and sudden itinerary changes had to be done, too. I was originally bound for Amsterdam first before going to the UK, but because of unfortunate events, I had no option but to go to the UK only. 😔
Fast forward on the day that I arrived London. After seeing the beautiful skyline of London while I was on the plane, I said a prayer and as cried as I thanked God for giving me the opportunity to make my lifelong dream a reality. To be able to meet the biggest idols of my life and to be able to travel to my ultimate dream city, London. I was there to see Steps. LOL!
I had a 10-hour layover before my trip to Newcastle that's why I've decided to go around the city. It was 6 ° outside when I arrived. And coming from a tropical country, 6 ° was no joke. My body had to adjust to the weather that my bladder was not cooperating on my first day there. LOL. But from the loo issues, I got to roam around London for a few hours. I could not help myself again when I finally saw Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and London Eye right in front of me. It was raining that day, but I could not care less! The rain and jet will not stop me from exploring the magnificent city.
It was already the wee hours when I reached Newcastle. Thankfully, the Airbnb that I got was just right in the middle of the city and was near the bus station. I've decided to visit Tesco (just like a local!) For pasalubong. But since Newcastle is so quaint, I managed to stroll around half of the city, and the Christmas Market too! Newcastle is definitely one of the most beautiful cities that I've ever been to. Everything was so beautiful. The city was so peaceful, the people were so warm and kind, and I could not get enough of how stunning the city was.
On my second day, I went around on the other half of the city before meeting one of my internet best friends, Emma. I went to the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Tyne Bridge, and Baltic Gallery, which were the well known tourist spots in Newcastle. Then I went on my way to meet Emma. She was so chill and so sweet as well! I couldn't believe that I finally got to meet her!! We had to cut our date short as she was just on her lunch break and I had a concert to attend on the afternoon.
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| My childhood heroes, STEPS. ❤️ |
As for the show, being a part of the audience, dancing along to their routines, singing their songs at the top of my lungs, and just seeing them perform live was a total dream come true. Who would’ve thought that that 7 year old girl, who was singing and dancing along to Steps in front of the tv most of her life, and almost got it broken at some point, would be a part of the audience 14 years after? I still couldn’t wrap that around my head until this day. I remember while me and my colleagues were talking about our gadgets back in high school, I said: “Back then, the wallpaper of my phone was Steps. Now, the wallpaper of my phone is Steps again, but this time, I’m with them.” It was definitely a dream come true.
I went back to London via train the next day. My London experience was not the one that I planned, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Things didn’t went according to plan as the Airbnb that I originally booked was such a disaster. Thankfully, Eric, one of my internet friends who was also there for the concert, was in a hostel nearby and I immediately booked there as well. I was scheduled to meet with them at the London Eye, but they were all kind to adopt me for the rest of their itinerary.
We all went to the different attractions that London has to offer and explored the city. The most memorable for me was when we all went to the London Eye. It had always been in my bucket list to go there and sharing that experience with these guys is definitely one for the books! I also couldn’t forget the O2 show as well. (Yes, I saw the concert twice.)
I was so happy for Fandy, who was going to the meet and greet for that show, because it was his turn to meet Steps. I could imagine his excitement because I was also like that during my meet and greet as well. I’ll never forget the time where I was staring at the Big Ben and I couldn’t help not to cry because I couldn’t believe that I was finally there, but good thing Livia was there to give me a tight hug.
And as a theatre nerd myself, going down the streets of London’s West End was a dream come true as well. I’m glad that I also got to see the Hamilton theater before it opened! Good thing, Ivan went to see Wicked as the theater was right across the street. It feels like he’s like my long lost bestie because we share so much in common! Hahahaha Eric was definitely my hero for this trip. If it wasn’t for him, I’d be homeless in London. Hahaha We also met Jan, who's from Slovenia, along the way.
I had so much fun with the whole gang! And fun is really an understatement to say the least. I am so glad that I made wonderful memories with them. I couldn’t imagine my this trip without my Steps Southeast Asia family. And writing this makes me miss them even more.
This trip is definitely one for the books. I’ll always keep these memories with me like a handprint on my heart and will forever treasure it until the day I die. 
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