Journal - 2026

When Neopets announced that they were opening a pop-up shop in NYC, I knew I had to go because I probably wouldn't have another opportunity to do so. It was a 4.5-5 hour bus ride from Boston, which was much more doable for a short trip than if they opened in Los Angeles, for example. So I went to NYC for 4 days (really 2.5 days since I arrived Thursday afternoon and left Sunday morning). It was definitely interesting going from rural Maine to the big city. When I got to my hotel room, I forgot how there's horn honking or a siren every 5 minutes. Anyway, the ride to NYC was okay, the bus driver was personable and after we took off, he said, "Remember your air buds" and I was like the dog?? After I checked into my hotel, I realized I forgot a balaclava so I went to Brooklyn to get one at a sports/shoe store. I couldn't find it so I asked someone who worked there, who directed me to the register. Apparently people steal them to commit crimes so they're behind the counter, lmao. As I was leaving the store it started pouring rain like crazy. I left my umbrella back at the hotel so I had to endure the rain. It was hard to navigate with my phone screen completely wet but I wanted to get dinner and taiyaki.


I went to a little dumpling restaurant and got these. It was next to a taiyaki place but that place ended up being closed :(


I went to a different taiyaki place, still soaked. I only asked for 2 but they gave me 3 ;_; also I bought a $20 umbrella on the way home and it made me so mad. The next morning my shoes and clothes were still soaked so I used a hairdryer to dry them, which was pretty successful.


I met up with my friend Provie and we waited in line for the Neopets pop-up shop! We ended up waiting in line for a little over 2 hours to get inside. As we neared the entrance, they started handing out these water bottles, which interestingly enough have an expiration date.


Someone take this man's driver license away.



Some views of the artwork from the inside of the store.


They had claw machines with new plushies! Provie won a Kacheek the night before but there was a line so I ended up not playing. There were 2 machines and the other one was completely empty.


I saw another Neopets fursuiter, Koorrah!! So happy I got a photo ;w;


We got katsudon after~ I haven't had this in a looong time and it was so good. We also went to the Nintendo store and got a few things.


For dinner I got this Korean inari... I think it's called yubuchobap in Korean? Anyway it was really good and really filling


I went to this Japanese grocery store and got a bunch of food for a lil picnic c: It was my first time eating a strawberry sando and I feel like someone should've told me to eat one sooner because it was AMAZING. Right before my bus ride back home I went to another Japanese grocery store and got another one....


In his natural habitat


This was like the only picture of NYC that I took lmao

Overall, it was a fun trip! Kind of exhausting being in such a large city though. It was cool to meet other Neopets players, see Provie again, and I got to eat a lot of good food. Although the previous week I was in Maine and it was such a culture clash to go from being in the woods to being in the big city.