ON a recent visit to London, we observed this amazing city in a new light. Apart from the traditional attractions, there are exciting new landmarks such as the London Eye, "a gigantic ferris wheel", to give a dramatic overview of the city that has become a vibrant metropolis.

A short stroll from Piccadilly station brought us to Leicester Square, easily one of the busiest spots in London. A wrought-iron fence separates the park from the traffic. Tulips flutter in the gentle breeze. Birds frolic on the water basin with sculptured dolphins leaping into the air. Trees throw dappled shadows on the people sitting on the benches, relaxing, reading newspapers.

A haven

This fenced in garden is a little haven amidst the massive steel-concrete structures that mark central London. On the western edge is a black statue of Charles Chaplin silhouetted against the pink neon sign of the Empire cinema hall. There are similar tributes to other famous people who grew up in the neighbourhood: the artists Joshua Reynolds and James Hunter, Shakespeare, and Isaac Newton.

Leicester Square has a hoary past. In 1635, the mansion built by the Earl of Leicester became the Leicester Field. Over time, due to the misfortune of its owner and neglect, the property became "one of most ugly sights in London". Today Leicester Square is synonymous with movie-premiers, haute couture, the glitterati and glamour.

Serious pastime

With an ice cream in hand, we walked out of its gate, towards the Wyndham theatre. In front was a tall redhead in top hat and tails, belting out a lively Irish folk ditty on her violin. Not far off, a small man on a soapbox was spewing fire and brimstone. In a thundering voice he decried hedonistic pleasures. "Resist temptation", he said in a grave voice. "You, Sir", he pointed at a red-nosed man in a peak cap hurrying by, "Have you found the Lord?" The man, hardly stopping, looked up in mock surprise, "Me? Naaah. `ave you lost `im again then?"

"People watching" is a favourite pastime in Leicester Square. It probably started out as chance to "eyeball" stars and celebrities at film premiers at the Odeon. Today, with a virtual non-stop parade of humanity in clothes that range from the bizarre and outrageous to the drop-dead gorgeous, one can't help but gawk, err... seriously "people-watch".

For theatrebuffs Leicester Square is sheer heaven. There is something always on. During our visit, Kenneth MacMillan's "Romeo and Juliet" was creating waves, with its imaginative retelling of Shakespeare's classic love story.

Leicester Square has something going for everyone. Low budget visitors can fall on Haagen Daz, sandwiches and chilled lager and catch the entertainment in the Square: buskers, acrobats,or even a theatre outing. If you plan to splurge, look no further. There's everything here from entertainment to exotic cuisine to trendy clothes.

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