No lie: this is the best ramen I’ve had in my life. So cheap too #tillyinTokyo #photography #iphoneography #japan #vacay

A photo posted by Matilda (@megerecooper) on Feb 22, 2016 at 7:28am PST

Every London street needs an Izakaya

“Izakayas” are these cosy eating and drinking spots that seat like, eight people (?) max – and you can expect to get some of the most delicious food that costs next to nothing. On the night of my arrival, the friends and I visited one not far from our AirBnB for a piping hot bowl of ramen and gyoza on the side. Total cost? Six quid!

Being the only Black American Woman in an entire city is weird – but it has its advantages

I know there were others in town, but they were few and far between (but when I did see a fellow sista, we gave each other that look and nod that basically meant “Black lives DO matter even if we’re in the minority right now. Keep ya head up”). Still, I didn’t catch a whiff of racism and figured if I dropped the name “Kobe Bryant” in all conversations, the Japanese would appreciate I knew their love for US basketball, America and the sixth largest city in Japan that produces some really tasty beef.

Plus, when you’re probably the only Black American Woman running a marathon, people WILL notice you, like this kind chap:

@megerecooper I don’t know you, but you looked elegant so I took these photos. pic.twitter.com/4rFAinQRPF

— Philbert Ono (@philbertono) February 29, 2016

I’m kind of fat in Japan

I was very happy to discover the biggest Uniqlo in the World is in Tokyo. It’s one of my favourite clothing shops, and I’m well aware that I have to pick up most items in a Medium or Large. Not so in Japan. I could only fit in XLs, which my self-esteem didn’t like very much.

The first (and last) time I’ll have sushi (including “sea urchin”) for breakfast… tasted good though #daiwasushi #tillyinTokyo #iphoneography #japan #vacay   A photo posted by Matilda (@megerecooper) on Feb 22, 2016 at 6:31pm PST

I’m not 100% sure about sushi now

We all know proper sushi is raw. But in the UK, restaurants aren’t even allowed to roll like that, so even if your sashimi or nigiri looks and feels quite fleshy, it’s been prepared in a way to remove any remnants of life for the sake of our health. Yet when in Tokyo, you get the raw deal. And you know it’s raw. Why? Because you’re eating it in a fish market, at 8am in the morning, because that’s the time you will have the freshest fish that was probably caught 30 minutes before you sat down and ate it. Let’s just say it was an… experience. A tasty one to be fair, but  I had to give up on the roe aka “baby Nemo” maki. That’s just going too far now.

Google Maps is my ride or die

The only time I got lost in Tokyo was when my phone died. Thankfully, the good people of Japan that evening went so far as to map out the way to get to my destination (one guy in a shop actually disappeared for 20 minutes to find a computer to print out a map for me, bless him). But even with three maps in my hand, I still struggled to find my way. Never will I underestimate Google Maps again.

Insane in the membrane #takashimurakami #contemporaryart #culture #tillyinTokyo #japan #vacay A photo posted by Matilda (@megerecooper) on Feb 24, 2016 at 12:57am PST

The city is demented and blissful in equal measure

I saw some very strange things out there, not least the Takashi Murakami exhibition at the Mori Art Museum. But that was an intentional kind of weird. On other days, I’d find there was alot going on beyond the city’s flashing neon lights, Hello Kitty references and the occasional spotting of a Harajuku girl.  I walked into one shop that looked and sounded like it had a serious case of ADHD. Thank God I was only looking for KitKats, so I could get out of there quickly (speaking of: I brought so many different flavours back home like Strawberry Cheesecake, Green Tea and even Sweet Potato!). But on the flipside, you can walk through an area like Ueno where all calm is restored. How odd. Or as my friend put it: “bi-polar”.

I need some Japanese friends in my life

I’ve travelled to many places in my time, but this is one of the few occasions I’ve felt so welcome. And I liked a lot of their customs – like offering wet cloths at restaurants, the humility of bowing, the meticulous approach to everything or the habit of wearing sterilised masks to protect us from their germs (and here’s me thinking they were trying to protect themselves from us).

A few more flicks from last night’s run: the unusual suspects ( @rkrkrk ) #btgtokyo #bridgethegap #rundemcrew #tillyinTokyo #tokyomarathonsooncome #japan #vacay

A photo posted by Matilda (@megerecooper) on Feb 24, 2016 at 10:25pm PST

Everyone should run the Tokyo Marathon

The organisation, the crowd support, the route (for the most part: there were four nasty inclines at the end, boo!) – I’d give it a ten out of ten. And you get a very lovely medal! Plus, the “Japanese Run Dem Crew” AFE Tokyo hosted a “Bridge the Gap” weekend for all running crews coming in town for the race, and it was great to meet them.

And finally: Tokyo has some kickass toilets (that can actually clean ‘that ass’)

I’d heard the stories and seen the photos but seeing one of these superloos in real life was one of the highlights of my holiday. No matter where I was, every time I had to go, I was met by a mechanical contraption that appeared to take pleasure in my personal waste disposal. But really,  the pleasure was all mine.

Have you been to Tokyo? What did you like about the city? What drove you mad? Let me know in the comments!

The post 9 things I learned on my holiday to Tokyo appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

I recently wrote a blog for Time Out about the eight life skills Londoners might want to learn in this sparkling New Year. Bt if I could narrow it down to my top 3, it’d be bike repairs, languages and DIY. The sad thing is, I’ve dabbled in all of these, of which my DIY game is probably the most on point. I own an electric saw (I once put down my own floorboards in my studio flat, check me) and can paint a room or build some Ikea furniture like a boss. But imagine being able to build a cupboard or a coffee table from scratch? That’s what I want to learn!

As for the others, I took a 12 week Level 1 French language course about four years ago and I can’t even remember what we covered (where was that French friend when I needed them?). And I’ve had way too many tire punctures to not know how to fix one already. So I’m hoping 2016 is the year I can get my act together and give these skills a good polish.

What about you? Are there any life skills you’d like to learn or develop this year? Or do you have any suggestions for learning bike repairs, French or DIY in London? Leave a comment! 

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It wasn’t a great moment.

I distinctively remember the struggle to wrap my tastebuds around the sour, spongy injera bread that doubles up as an edible plate covered in all sorts of stews (tasty stews, to be fair) – not to mention the fact that, being the bougie chick I am, I resented having to eat it all with my hands.

So since then, me and Ethiopian food haven’t been on the best terms and I always assumed if I had it again, I wouldn’t like it.  But since getting serious about my foodie credentials, my palate has matured considerably – and I actually enjoyed an Ethiopian meal I shared with a friend last Saturday at Mesi’s Kitchen in Holloway.  We went for a platter, topped with a combination of lamb stews, mixed veg and fried beef pieces – and I didn’t even mind the whole hand eating (although in Nigerian culture, you get a little bowl of water on the side to keep your hands spick and span when you’re eating fufu with our stews #justsaying lol) Anyway, it was a worthwhile re-introduction – so here’s a few pics from my visit:

Have you tried Ethiopian food?  Or do you have any recommendations for places to go in London?  Let me know in the comments. 

The post My re-introduction to Ethiopian food appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

Just discovered this wonderful, alternative souvenir store on Carnaby Street. Seriously funky fresh.

A photo posted by Matilda (@megerecooper) on Aug 28, 2015 at 10:35am PDT

It didn’t even dawn on me that the pop-up, which sells city-inspired gifts and souvenirs from over 300 home-grown designers and artists, wasn’t a permanent shop – so I was pleased to hear that it’s recently returned for the festive season.

Along with their usual fun stuff, they’ve now set up a Christmas shop offering cards, decorations and a Christmas jumper printing service in collaboration with London design duo RUDE (they’re ace) – and if you’re feeling creative, you can sign up to one of their creative workshops that include jewellery-making, the art of wrapping and even how to make a Christmas piñata.

How cute are these? We Built This City staff rock the Christmas jumpers you can design yourself

The shop is currently open and can be found at 56 Carnaby Street, but for more details, visit www.webuilt-thiscity.com

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I spent last Friday afternoon checking it out with a friend. It was frustratingly crowded, which I guess is to be expected with blockbuster shows like this one – but once we dodged the school groups and the selfie sticks, we got the chance to appreciate pieces he created over the past 20 years (including some new ones, specifically for RA). He’s very good at corrupting traditions to make a case for human rights and creative freedom – and though it’s occasionally cheeky and disturbing, it’s unequivocally sincere.

The show’s worth a visit and on until 13th December and you can find out more about it here. In the meantime, check out some of my snaps from my recent visit below:

The post A rebel with a cause: Ai Weiwei at the Royal Academy of Arts appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.