Well i went to the exhibition yesterday. I was very nervous before i went in and was really worried about blubbering like an idiot in front of lots of people!!
I felt overwhelmingly sad walking up to the O2, and i think that forever, whenever i see the O2 i will feel desperately sad for what might have been.
It was very busy, which i was pleased to see and there were people of all ages there. It was £20 per ticket, incl booking fee.
I thought it was lovely. When you first go in you are shown a 3 minute film, just a collaboration of various songs. This was where i first had to stop myself crying - prepare yourself for 'I'll be there'!!! From then on there are various 'rooms' with all different things in. I will not go into detail as i don't want to spoil it for people who haven't gone yet.
I will say that it is good to prepare something to write for Michael, as at the end you are able to fill in a memorial book which will be passed onto his family. I wish i had known this as i could have prepared something. This was the part where i could not hold it together any longer and did break down. I wrote in the book, but afterwards wish i had written so much more - i was just very upset and couldn't think straight.
It felt wonderful to be so close to his things and clothes, and only wish i could have touched and held some of his things. I wish there had not been anyone else there!
I am probably going to go again as i didn't really absorb it properly, as i spent the whole time trying not to cry, and at some points just wanted to leave as i felt i couldn't take it anymore. There was quite a solemn atmosphere and my Husband did say that he had seen other people crying, including men. It felt quite surreal and unbelievable that i was visiting the O2 to see his things because he is not here anymore. I felt very, very sad for the rest of the day and today. I really don't think i am ever going to get over this.
I think when i go again i will go in the week when it may be quieter.
There is a gift shop at the end of the exhibition - be warned it is VERY expensive - approx £35-£40 for a hat, and approx £30 for a t-shirt. I purchased a couple of posters, a This Is It picture book, and a mug. I wish i could have purchased more, although did feel that things were very overpriced.
There is only one thing that i wanted to ask everyone - one of the tops on display is the long sleeve gold one that does up under the crotch, and has the top corner folded over to reveal a black underneath. (I can't remember when he wore it). In the pictures of him the black flap is turned over on his right hand side - the top on display was turned over on the left hand side. has anyone got any pictures of him wearing it with the left hand side turned over???? Does anyone know if both sides turned over??
I assume that he had many of the same tops to wear on tour, but this is bothering me slightly in case it is not really his?
It felt very final for me - there is nothing else for me to do or see now. I am waiting for my This Is It dvd which i have pre-ordered, and my opus, but after that - what is there???
I think that if you are able to go, then you should. It felt very special and almost sacred to me - i just hope that he didn't mind his things being on display.
Loopy x x x
