Just five steps away from my box I now call home lays an antiquated chamber that is currently serving as the 6th floor women’s bathroom in Stradley Hall. Through the dingy, chipped, metal, gray door lays a territory that is truly unique to any other bathroom you have ever experienced before. As you grasp the cold metal handle that protrudes from the front you are immediately greeted by a loud, almost piecing screech that is sure to wake even the most sleep deprived college student. When you first enter the bathroom your eyes are immediately drawn to the row of four porcelain sinks that stand fixed to a wall of sea foam green and pelican gray tiles of various sizes. Above the sinks sit two rectangular mirrors that display various reminders such as “toilets are for puking not sinks” in various colored window paints. After taking a closer look into the sinks, you begin to notice the clumps of hair that adorn the sides of the porcelain bowls.
Turn 180 degrees and you will be facing the lovely set of bathrooms stalls that lay opposite the sinks. You may think that bathroom stalls are nothing to be excited about, but these are unlike any ones I have ever seen. Beautiful artwork done in black sharpie covers the inside walls and doors of every stall as well as reminders and brochures about the latest upcoming events. I don’t know about you, but I have always thought bathrooms could be quite boring, however, after seeing this one my opinion totally changed.
Last, but certainly not least are the showers. Entering the shower area, I am immediately enveloped in the 1960s spa aura that surrounds the area. The brown and tan tiled floor adds warmth to the area and I am instantly drawn to the single, frosted window that remains cracked open on the back wall of the space. Plastic, stark white shower curtains drape from rusted, metal rods and give the area an almost hospital room vibe.
Overall, the area certainly gives me a very unique and incomparable experience every time I enter into it. I become enveloped in its aura and vintage character. After this I am sure you are all just dying to come check this place out, so if you are ever in the area feel free to stop by. It truly is a beyond compare experience.
You used a lot of detailed description that would have allowed me to imagine the scene in my mind had you not posted the pictures. Lots of people, especially college students, can relate to having less than desirable restroom facilities, so that was a good way to engage your readers. At times your sarcasm seems obvious, and at others it's almost as if you actually like the bathroom, so that left me a little confused as to how you felt about it. Interesting choice of place though!
ReplyDeleteYour sarcasm is awesome. I absolutely love it. You sound like a realtor who is trying to mask the hideousness of the area by using tons of complimentary language that upon first thought sounds decent, while only under scrutiny do you realize how disgusting the place actually is. I welcome you to come use the Mack Hall 3rd floor restroom (by the elevator), if you feel you just can't bear the awesomeness of your current facilities.
ReplyDeleteWow. This is definately not an area that I would have expected someone to write about, but it's so cool. I've never heard a bathroom be talked about in such an elevated way. I live in a dorm with bathrooms in the room so we don't really have the lines of sinks, toilets, and showers so this is definately an interesting thing to read about. The whole section about art in the stalls was really sweet too. I'm definately thinking you should add a little thought or two in one of the stalls before the year is out.
ReplyDeleteTwo sentiments come to mind for me: bummer, and I feel ya. The bathrooms here at Siebert aren't much better, and I can defintely relate to the prison showers. That was actually what triggered my first "I miss home" feeling.
ReplyDeleteBut what would otherwise be an unappealing subject, you write about the bathrooms in a very compelling way. I almost felt as though I was reading a crime novel or something. The descriptions painted the room quite thoroughly, down to the very last "clump of hair." And thank you for the pictures. Always nice to have a visual aid. Hahaha