On Monday I went to the Notting Hill Carnival. It is one of London's famous festivals of the year and also known as the second largest carnival in the world! It's a celebration of the Caribbean culture in the UK and the independence from the once Black Caribbean slaves in England. I would compare this festival to our Mardi Gras in New Orleans without the beads and the flashing but maybe with a bit more mayhem!
Thank god I am not closterphoebic because on my tube ride there I was literally pushed against the glass with elbows and bodies pressing against me. People didn't understand that there wasn't enough room, and after my 5-stop tube ride, I was breathing in the oxygen of human breath. It was a bit scary for a minute, but all in all I guess I was okay. Once getting off the tubes, there were crowds of people blowing whistles, dancing, yelling, and all ready to party. Finally approaching some actual air, we embraced ourselves in the festival. Walking down the streets of Notting Hill there were all types of Caribbean food such as jerk chicken, corn, fried plantains, a special type of Caribbean beer and rum punch. There were large speakers on all different corners with mobs of people dancing. At one point I turned the corner and I literally could not see the street. Millions of people filled the street for about 1/2 of a mile! This was probably when I was shocked at the multitude of people all smashed in this general area and what kind of substances I consistently saw people consuming!
By far, Notting Hill Carnival was the craziest festival I have ever seen. Overall it only consisted of food, milllions of people, people in large buses with speakers driving down the street, alcohol, police, and other illegal substances. Definitely not a place I would ever bring any children! haha (There is my mom side coming out and my conservative, sheltered roots.)
Well I'm glad I got to experience the second largest festival in the world. I actually loved Notting Hill, and I can't wait to go back when the streets are peaceful and I can enjoy the beautiful homes and cute side streets. I'm off to Stonehenge and Bath tomorrow! And then...my 21st birthday is the following weekend!! I've waited so long for this moment and even though it's unfortunate I'll be in Europe to celebrate it, I'm still going all out! Oh and one more thing, I just booked my trip to GREECE :) I'll be jet-setting on my first travel the third weekend of September. I couldn't be more thrilled!
By the way, some of my pictures are from some historical visits in London. Enjoy :)
Cheers from London
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