CHAPTER ONE: Meeting other Glamberts

Once Finnair got us to Helsinki with no trouble at all (thank you, Finnair!), my boyfriend and I had tu rush to check into the hotel, pick up our tickets from the wonderful Tiilis and freshen up a little before dinner at Namu. When we finally got to the restaurant, almost everyone was already there. There, I met Betty and her husband, Bobo, SophieB, PostFestumPF and many other fans I had met over the internet. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW COMFORTABLE I WAS, since the very beginning. And how fulfilling it was to finally bert in person with other stans! 

The night flew by! We ended up partying at DTM. I think people at the club realized who we were, because they played a lot of Adam's music, haha (I can't believe how perfect his music sounds in a club, by the way. People should be dancing to his songs everywhere!) I really, really, REALLY loved meeting you all. Seriously, guys, all the Atoppers I met over there are the most wonderful people ever. I miss you all!!! 



OMG, the day of the concert!!!!! 

I had barely slept, because we had gone to bed at about 2AM and we got up at 7AM to go out and be tourists. And damn, it was COOOOOLD!!! But my boyfriend and I had a blast walking by the frozen sea (I had never seen anything like that), eating local food and sightseeing some interesting places. We walked back to the hotel to get ready; and we didn't know then, but we walked by Adam's hotel and by the store where he was seen buying food with Sauli. We must have missed him by minutes! Half my Twitter feed met him, though, and I was very happy for them.

When it was time to go to the concert, I met with Heather, the wonderful Leenaseyez and her beautiful daughter (she had the coolest boots ever) at the hotel lobby. We all took the train to the venue together, and we got there with no trouble. The excitement in the air!!! All the people waiting to get in!!! All the fashion, and the yellow, and the black, and the leather, and the glam, and the banners!!!!!! It felt so good to be in the middle of all that!!!! 

We got inside through the VIP IIHY door, and they gave us the VIP pass and Adam's Trespassing album (which was included in our tickets), they took our coats and they took us to dinner. While we were doing all that, we could hear Adam soundchecking. While he was singing OOL, I pressed my ear to the gap between the door and the wall and I almost teared up. OMG, his voice sounds SO INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL live... We could hear him singing Hot Stuff, OOL, IIHY, Naked Love, Cuckoo... A little bit of AYGGMW, if I remember correctly. It was great. 

At the restaurant, we liked the food very much, but we could barely enjoy it because people had already started lining up at the door. When I got up to line up before even eating dessert, my boyfriend was crushed. lol But hey, I'm a very short girl, I knew if I wanted a standing ticket I needed to be as close to the stage as possible or I wouldn't see anything at all. I met a lot of wonderful people in the line, and everyone laughed at me when SophieB came to find me and asked how I was: "I'm... a little bit squished...", I answered. 

But it paid off!!!! FRONT ROW!!!! I GOT TO BE FRONT ROW!!!!! OMFG, I COULD SEE EVERYTHING!!!!!! 

The support act was good, I liked it. The poor girl had killer shoes, but she almost fell on stage because of that. She was very nice, pretty good voice, and veeeery beautiful. But then, I don't think I saw a Finnish person who wasn't beautiful. Seriously! 

And then, it was Adam's turn. 

OMG, guys. As soon as he came into the stage, my mouth dropped open. HE'S INCREDIBLY GORGEOUS IN PERSON. Like you wouldn't believe. He's already beautiful in pics, but you seriously can't appreciate his beauty until you see him right in front of you. There's some sort of light in him that doesn't translate well into pics or videos. Some sort of energy, I don't know how to explain it. AND HIS EYES!!! HIS EYES!!! You can see the color from afar, it's that intense! And he REALLY looks at you while he's singing. You feel his stare so deep inside of you! It feels like an electric shock! And I have to admit that it was a little bit intimidating at first, haha. But I got over it, and I started yearning for it. I felt greedy, but I wanted him to look at me, to sing at me, to smile at me. It was an incredible experience, I had never felt like that before. I also have to mention his teeth, since they are SO INCREDIBLY WHITE AND PERFECT!!! 

Moving on... I knew beforehand that aiming for front row would mean losing a little bit of the good sound, and that's exactly what happened. I could hear pretty well his lower and middle registers, but the higher register got a little bit lost sometimes. It didn't matter to me, to be honest. I still got pretty good sound, I still got the shock of my life at how good his voice sounds live. And I couldn't stop looking at him, I couldn't stop intently LISTENING to him! I'm usually a loud girl at concerts, I love to sing and shout. Well, I FORGOT to sing, and that's another thing that had never happened to me. The only thing I could do was to stand there with my mouth hanging open. Sometimes he looked at me and I thought: "God, he must think that I'm completely bored!" Well, I wasn't. I was just mesmerized. I don't think I spared more than a couple of looks for the rest of the Glamily band, to be honest. I looked at Ashely (she's so hot!!! Her leeeegs!!!!), who was in front of me, and I looked at Tommy and Terrance when they came out because they are beautiful too, and I looked at Keisha from time to time... But my eyes were transfixed on Adam almost 100% of the time. 

Guys, the expressions in his face! They don't translate well to video either. His smile, his laugh, his dancing (OMG, his hip thrusts). I confess I checked out his GB once, and his ass too (it looked so good in the blue suit, I couldn't help myself!).  He's really incredibly intense, and he's so focused on what he's doing! The way he uses his body to sing is amazing. I've never seen someone like him before. 

I'm not going to talk about the songs one by one because I honestly don't remember in which songs he did the things I do remember, like when he threw himself to the floor (Floorbert!) to sing a high note (I thought it had been Fever, turns out it wasn't... Still trying to find that moment on the videos). It's all a blur of color, sound, emotion and amazement in my mind. And yes, it's addicting. I already want more!!!!! Please, Adam, come back soon!!!!!! 

The highlights for me were when he dedicated Broken English to Sauli (wow, the crowd went wild!), when he started turning the stool around and saying "hey" when the turn got him in front of the audience, when he threw the towel to the audience and then stopped the fight that arose between two fans, when he made his speech before Outlaws of Love, the a capella vocal runs he made between two songs (I hope someone got that on video), the hotness that was Fever, the vocal improvisations while he was introducing the band, his very contagious laugh in Music Again because two guys were dismantling Rick's drum set... I don't know, so many things!!!! I LOVED THE WHOLE THING!!!! I WANT TO GO BACK IN TIME AND START AGAIN!!!!! 

Pleeeaaaase, I want to see him live again!!!!!! 

After the concert, I walked out all dazed and thoughtful. They gave us a poster and we picked up our coats. In our way back to the street we walked by the merchandising stand and I got myself a T-shirt (lol I couldn't help myself). I did some berting with some Glamberts too, and then we left the venue and returned to the hotel. Still in a daze. I was so dazed that I left my poster on the train (I'm still upset over it, haha)! 

I started berting via Twitter as soon as I got wifi. But I didn't have much time, I had to get ready for the after-party!!! Ississ (from Twitter) picked us up from our hotel to go to The Tiger. When we got there, I proudly stated that we had a booth reserved, I told them the code (Adamtopia, of course) and we joined the party. PostFestumPF is the greatest host ever, and the drinks were delicious. That vodka-cranberry drink was a killer, I think I drank one more than I should have, haha. I confess I got a little bit tipsy towards the end of the night. But it was seriously good! I met more wonderful Atoppers, and I have to name Lilly here because OMG, YOU CAN DANCE!!!!! She turned heads!!!! Seriously, she was great!!!!

It was a really great night. 



Yeah, this is the airport story. 

Seriously, how could I be so lucky? 
 
After a morning walking around Helsinki, we got to the airport in time for lunch. We ate at a deli, and some Glamberts I had met while lining up at the concert were so kind to come say goodbye before their flight. 

The fandom thought Adam and Sauli would leave Helsinki on Wednesday, so I had zero expectations. Nonetheless, I tweeted to let me know if someone saw the boys at the airport, since I was there. I got a couple of tweets saying that Adam had left the hotel with his bags and that he was probably on his way. I almost choked, haha. But I was relaxed, because I figured he would have security with him, and that he would hide in a VIP lounge or something until it was time for him to board the plane. I didn't even want to approach him and Sauli (I thought they would fly together), I just wanted to see them in real life.

So NEVER in a MILLION YEARS I'd have thought I would suddenly spot him relaxedly walking around the airport completely alone looking like a fucking supermodel. Seriously, my eyes almost popped out of my sockets when I saw him. 

It's very funny, because I was writing a tweet that was going to say: "OMG, guys, my feet hurt so much! If I saw Adam in front of me right now, I wouldn't even get up from this seat!" And in that same moment, I saw him. 

My first thought: "NO WAY!!!! NO FUCKING WAY!!!!"

My second thought: "OMG, is it too creepy to follow him for a little bit???? I don't wanna bother him, but I'd like to watch him from afar for a little bit more, who knows when and if I will see him again????"

The half of my mind that wasn't fried by then told me that yes, it was creepy and a little bit cray, but I still got up. I forgot that I was surrounded by our shopping bags and our hand luggage, so I tripped all over them, haha. It was very undignified. I picked everything up and started following him at a very respectful distance, just watching him. That's when I tweeted:

ADAM!!! 

And I had told Lilly on Friday that I thought I would never stalk him! OMG, I'm never saying "I wouldn't do that" ever again. I only followed him for a few seconds, because he saw the sandwich stand next to where I had been sitting and he got in line to buy something.

That's when I thought: "Okay, there's three people before him on the line. He doesn't seem to be in a hurry. He's all alone. Should I approach him? Should I say something? Should I ask for a pic?"

I looked around and no one was looking that way. So I quietly approached him. At first, I said a very timid: "Adam?" So timid that even I didn't hear it. So I shyly touched his arm, and I think I startled him a little, haha.  But then he turned his whole body towards me, and wow, he gives you his full attention, doesn't he? That's when I started shaking. My voice didn't shake, though, which was good. I asked him if I could take a pic with him, and he said: "Yes, of course!" 

And guys, his speaking voice shocked me. Like, I almost didn't recognize it at first. It sounds different from the recorded interviews, it's much more beautiful!!!

While I dropped everything on the floor (thank God the bags didn't have anything breakable), I said: "I thought you had left already." And he said: "No, not yet!" And seriously, I don't even know why I said that. Come on, I knew he hadn't left yet, haha! I can only say that I think my brain was fried. The day before I THOUGHT he had left, but then the Twitter party happened and we learned he was still in Helsinki. So why did I say that? No idea. 

I went to take the pic, and OMG, my hand was shaking so hard that I couldn't even open my phone. I felt very embarrassed, so I said: "OMG, I'm so sorry. I'm very nervous. I'm sorry!" And he was like: "It's okay." He was so patient and gracious, even though he must have been scared I would poke one of his eyes out by accident, I was shaking so hard! 

When the camera was ready, he bent down a little (ahem, a lot... I already said I'm a short girl, and he's SO TALL!!!) and I took the pic. It takes a few seconds for the pic to appear on the phone, so he patiently waited beside me and when the pic appeared on screen he kindly asked: "You got it?" I said yes, and thanked him again. Then my mouth moved on his own accord and I asked if I could give him a hug. Again, he was incredibly kind saying yes even though by then he must have thought I was a nutcase. And the hug felt so good!

Then I thanked him for the umpteenth time, I wished him to have a good flight and said goodbye.

Two funny and random thoughts popped up in my mind while I was turning my back to him. The first one was: "OMG, I hope I didn't have anything between my teeth!" My second one was: "Thank God I put on make up this morning. If he had seen the shadows under my eyes, he would have run away screaming!" 

#TotallyAndUtterlyCray

Seriously, I don't even know where my brain went in those moments. The whole encounter lasted for about 2-3 minutes, no more, but I managed to make a fool of myself nonetheless, haha.  Oh, God. 

After all this, I almost run towards where I had been sitting, and my boyfriend was there looking around worriedly, wondering where I had gone. When I got to him, I blurted out: "OMG, I have a pic with Adam." And the rest is history! Now I have a pic with Adam where he looks all smiley and wonderful and I look scared and so pale I almost look like a gloworm:



When my mom saw the pic, she said: "He looks so comfortable and willing! He doesn't look like he'd rather be doing anything else instead of taking a pic with a fan. His smile looks genuine." 

Well, I'm sure he would rather be doing anything else whenever a fan ambushes him, but he's a sweetheart. He really is as nice and kind as everyone who's ever met him says. I never in a million years thought I would get to see him in concert. I never in a million years thought I would get to meet him at a random place. This weekend has been a dream come true, and I can't thank the universe enough for looking out for me in such a wonderful way. 



To the wonderful Finnberts: Thank you very much for the warm hospitality and all the help you provided. I felt so welcomed! Thank you so much, really.
To the Atoppers and the rest of the fans I met over there: You guys feel like a family. Thank you for sharing with me this incredible experience. I hope we get to do this again, and soon! Thank you for all the good times. 
To the Atoppers and the rest of the fans who followed my adventure from afar while I was there: I saw many Tweets from many of you (Mys*&@^#r comes to mind). I know I couldn't answer them all, and I'm sorry I couldn't, because this experience was seriously way better knowing you guys were there enjoying it through me. I hope I made it interesting, and I hope I was able to convey all the feelings and the awesomeness. 

I love you all! THANK YOU!!!!! 


So this is my epic recap. Incredibly long, isn't it? I'm sorry, I needed to let it all out, haha. I hope you guys like it!!! 

Hugs from Spain,

Alba

P.S. Forgive any mistakes or typos, please. It's too long for me to check it thoroughly. 

Jesslala,
I have spent my professional life as a cardiac/stroke nurse in acute and critical care.
I am so sad for the loss of your brothers; as I am sad for the loss of Rene; as I am sad for the loss of my mother only weeks ago.
As we share the joy of the man who has rekindled music and liveliness and fearlessness into our lives, we also share the sorrow felt by our friends, and the kindred spirits that tie our emotions together.
I want to cry; and I need to shout for joy - - - the mix of me is a twisted rope of love and sadness and hopefulness and beauty and reflection and emptiness.
It's time to explore. I have no idea what I should seek or where I will land.
I just hope there will be an Adamtopian when I fall to earth again.

jesslala

So sorry to hear about your brothers. 

I hope your friends & family can provide some comfort.

You will be in my thoughts and prayers.