trendy bagels, john green cameos, guava green grape

Pals, it’s very late. I didn’t really want to write tonight, but two things kept me up; firstly, a DM from Sarah Adkar (shoutout) telling me she enjoys my posts, and secondly, guilt. Aside from that, just know this was a massive day for Addy fans. Which you could be if you read my blog posts.

Started this morning with a nearby bagel spot with good reviews. However, I didn’t really realize this would be an extremely trendy place—dozens of influencers crowded this tiny shop, all vying for their very own bagel. We squeeze in and order. They’re also blasting “Casual” by Chappell Roan, which I mean is fine (#rep) but also a bit odd for nine in the morning, and a bit dramatic for a bagel shop in general. It’s quite busy outside as everyone eats their bagels on the sidewalk, so Abby and I end up sitting against a stoop to eat and observe the difference in tourists’ fashion as compared to the Bay Area. Notably, I never really see anyone wearing white jeans at home—but every other tourist seems to be wearing them here. That or the tiered white skirt. Anyways, our bagels were quite good. Going to go back tomorrow.

We take the train down to Central London and walk to Cecil Court (also known as Bookseller’s Row). It’s not very big—just about fifteen or so shops selling maps, prints, and various special editions of books. There’s little we could practically pack to come back home with, so we don’t buy anything, but I was greatly tempted by a first edition of Matilda. But I figured I’m about to move across the country, and I certainly wouldn’t be bringing such a beautiful book to my dorm, so I sadly leave it behind. I feel similarly in the Lego store, which is massive and filled with London monuments and Harry Potter scenes out of the bricks—I would’ve loved to buy something, but decided to be practical. I hate being practical. However, we did get Pokémon Lego Smart Bricks demonstrated to us, and we each got a sticker.

With little else to immediately do, we decided to head into the first of our main events of the day. Jet Lag the Game!! Anyone who has had the (dis)pleasure of speaking to me in high school with some level of depth has heard about my love for the travel/game show. And I was about to witness it in theaters! Because we’re so early, we get to explore the theming with almost zero people in the vicinity. Take some awful photos on their makeshift red carpet, and some even worse ones in the photobooth.

We get herded into the theater fifteen minutes before the showing—it’s actually surprisingly comfortable. And then, they walk in. I see Sam, Ben, and Adam. Despite the simplicity of their names, this is actually INSANELY exciting for me, and I might’ve cried a bit. I have been their biggest fan (big claim I know) for five years now. The director’s cut of the first three episodes was great fun, and I enjoyed seeing Abby’s reaction to the John Green cameo in Tag Eur-It episode three. It was fun hearing their perspective of certain behind-the-scenes moments, and additional strategy, especially since they weren’t doing the podcast at this point in Jet Lag. After the showing, we head into the merch queue, which wraps around the entire theater.

We head for an early dinner after Jet Lag—back to Il Castelletto for the third time because it’s good and we like being recognized. This time, the owner puts a nice flower on top of our pasta—napoletana for Abby, carbonara for me.

After a quick stint in the stationery shop (Abby) and the bookshop (me) across the street, we set off for Abby’s wallet’s downfall, also known as the Royal Opera and Ballet House. I buy a large kids’ shirt there because it’s an entire ten pounds cheaper than the adult one. She gets a t-shirt, a hat, a tote bag, and a pin. However, she rules the Opera Garnier as the superior gift shop. Another stationery shop after that, where I believe I showed some excellent restraint, and where Abby did not.

Around the corner, we find a HeyTea. Desperate for some taste of freshness, we hop in line (not as busy as in the Bay Area, but the shop is minuscule and pours out into the street, making it incredibly claustrophobic). Initially, Abby just gets a guava green grape drink, and I pass. Then I try hers and make her loop back. Absolutely fantastic.

We had a bit to go before our second show of the day, so we stand in an alleyway with our drinks and review our favorite British memes. Then we walk towards the Sondheim Theater—it’s time to see Les Misérables. So again, anyone who’s ever met me before knows I love this show. Quite passionately. And goodness, after watching it for the fourth time, it’s still just as transcendent. I’ve never seen another show that enraptures me as Les Misérables does. And this version was absolutely incredible—it’s the best Jean Valjean, Javert, Cosette, and Marius I’ve ever seen in my life. Abby and I both cried. If I ever don’t cry to the epilogue, assume something is VERY wrong with me.

It’s late when we step out of the theater, but London is still partying. There’s a man passionately singing “Sweet Caroline” and strumming his guitar to no end on the platform of the Tube.