Rachelle Ann’s Saigon Diaries: Welcome to the first week of changing my life forever
Saigon Diaries will chronicle Rachelle Ann Go’s adventures in London, where she'll live for the next 14 months playing Gigi in the revival of the megahit musical “Miss Saigon,” opening on May 3.
It was 6 am and I had to be at the airport 2 hours before my flight. But I was a bit late cause I had to do last minute packing (yes, that's me!) and I wrote li’l notes for my siblings too while they were sleeping.
While checking in, I was so worried about the weight of my luggage. True enough, hello excess baggage! I had to get rid of all the extra stuff I brought along unless I wanted to pay $400! No way—pang shopping na yan, noh!
I tried to sleep on the plane. It was a success because I didn’t even finish one movie to the end.
My life won’t be the same again
I also passed the time listening to the “Miss Saigon” soundtrack. That was when I realized that I should've memorized my parts already! (So good luck sa akin, haha!)
Seriously, the music gave me chills!
When the plane began to descend, I found myself thinking that my life won't be the same again. Living alone in a different country would be something else. My experience in Saigon would be something else.
It’s finally happening!
Miss Saigon! I still couldn't believe it! I actually made it to the cast!
I was going to play the part of Gigi!
With the plane landing, it hit me: it's finally happening!
Garden in my flat
When I got to my fully furnished flat, I was surprised to find that I also had a garden.
How lovely is that?!
I got so excited at my new place for the next year that I fixed my bed right away, went grocery shopping and then returned home to sleep again!
Trying things on my own
The next day, I woke up early to find jet lag hitting me, argh!
But I was determined to try things on my own.
So my first stop was the tube station.
Scared of being alone
I kept staring at the tube map trying to figure it all out. It was really confusing but I know I will never learn unless I try it. So i did....
It was my first tube experience alone!!! It was a challenge for me since I'm really scared of being alone outside of the country.
But it was really fun finding my own way, asking around if i wasn't really sure of my destination and—tadah—I did it!!!
Bonding with fellow Pinoys
That day, we also had our costume fitting and I was able to bond with some of the cast afterwards.
So good to see Filipinos here!!
We had a quick lunch at the park and I bought a SIM card (which I badly needed—haha!)
Missing my mom and my family
The following day, I woke up at 5 a.m.! (Yes, it was jet leg.)
I spoke to my mom, updating her about what was happening with me.
Her advice: eat on time, take my meds regularly (for my throat), clean my room, buy stuff that I need and so much more!
All her kuwento made me miss her and my family. It just gets soooo quiet here ….
Movie fan
It was a Saturday so I decided to go to Notting Hill for the day. It’s a shopping and tourist area and yes, kinilig ako nung nakita ko yung shop sa movie of the same name ni Julia Roberts at High Grant, haha!
Then, I bonded with the cast and watched a show.
My fourth day in London was a Sunday and I found a church called Every Nation. Happy that we have the same church in Manila and happy I got to meet fellow Filipinos!
18 nationalities
Monday meant the first week of rehearsals.
All I can say is, oh my!!! Everyone is amaaaazing!!! Nakakatuwa kasi 18 different nationalities ang kasali sa cast. Ang galing lahat sumayaw, nahiya naman ako sa sarili ko! Hahaha!
On my first week in London, I also I tried cooking, laundry, washing the dishes! I feel so independent! Hahaha! I’m not afraid to be alone now!
