I spent a weekend in London visiting my cousin who studies at Imperial University and had such a great weekend out and about in my favourite city in the world, I thought I would enlighten any Exeter students that are heading there any time soon as to the things I got up to that I would recommendâŠ
We headed to the Barbican Centre on Silk Street, about a 10 minute walk from the Barbican Tube Station, to go and experience the newly opened âRain Roomâ, a unique fusion of art and movement created by Random International, a contemporary art group. A digital installation that gives visitors the chance to experience how it might feel to control the rain, the idea is that you walk through the Rain Room and the falling rain doesnât touch or affect you⊠Like being in a downpour of rain outside, apart from the fact that you stay bone dry, so your body acts as a kind of repellent against the falling rain. With free admission, I highly recommend you head there early in the day rather than the middle of it like we did; the Rain Room has a limited capacity of 5 people at one time and we faced a 2 hour queue. Knowing the rain will be pouring until 3 March 2013, we chose our grumbling stomachs over our art-inclined minds.
So we proceeded on to Brick Lane, notorious for its edgy and artistic flair. There is so much to do and see there; galleries, restaurants, markets â you canât walk 100 yards without seeing something that will catch your eye and capture your interest. Itâs one long street of music, design, art, vintage clothing, shoes, bags, and curry houses. So many curry houses. However, before you get to the end of Brick Lane, where you wonât be able to resist going into one of the curry houses and getting a fantastically priced portion of Korma with a cheeky poppadum or two, you must not walk past the bagel shops without going inside and purchasing one. It doesnât matter it you a) donât rate bagels, b) have never had one before, c) are not hungry or d) are saving yourself for the curry, if you donât buy one of the best bagels you will ever experience (in my opinion, and I consider myself fairly well educated in the bagel area), you will not have fulfilled your Brick Lane, or even London, experience.
There are two bagel shops within 10 metres of each other; I have been to both and rate them both equally so just jump in whichever queue is shorter (it will be coming out of the door) and start salivating. The ÂŁ1.90 salmon and cream cheese is my personal favourite but there is every filling you could ever imagine.
Next on your stop should be the American Apparel outlet warehouse that has been opened. With loads of excess pieces unwanted in the stores due to either surplus production or tiny defaults which make them unsuitable for selling in the main stores, this is a Disco-pant loversâ heaven. The prices had all been slashed and it was the perfect jumble sale, as you can imagine. I recommend it!
So there are just a few things for you to occupy yourself with if you find yourself in London any time soon, stuck for ideas with what to fill your afternoon with. Itâs nice to head somewhere other than the Oxford Street Topshop and Selfridges, which, granted, are heaven in a building, but not so kind to the bank account as the ÂŁ1.90 bagel. Whether heading off on your own for some city culture with your camera or with friends for a proper day out, both the Rain Room (I trust it would have been amazing had I actually got in!) and Brick Lane will make for a great day and experience.