Carnival

Notting Hill Carnival

August 30th, 2010

An August Bank Holiday means one thing – Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s larget street party, where the posh streets of London are transformed into one big rubbish tip.

Then again, the rubbish is totally worth the atmosphere and music – by far the best street party of the year.

There were around 40 separate soundsystems playing all kinds of music from Ska to Dubstep to Reggae.  This was Channel One’s soundsystem:

It was one of the best without a doubt.  I took these pictures when it was less crowded.  After a few hours it was impossible to get into this area so going before 3pm is key to enjoying the carnival! Too many people = less fun.

A short video I took – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTTCRRwyQfs

£1.50 to take a piss? Isn’t THAT taking the piss?

Vuvuzelas might have been banned by UEFA but were out in force here:

I can’t remember the name of this soundsystem but it was pretty funky:

Letting your arse hang out is not cool, even if you are wearing Ed Hardy boxers:

Very cool burger man who persuaded us that his £3 hotdog was far more superior to the guy next to him selling an icecream for the same amount.

Had this instead:

Jerk chicken, rice and peas  – it had to be done.

Toilet queues:

The BBC 1 Xtra soundsystem was the busiest – and most overrated:

Somehow we managed to walk through the crowds to leave it, and police had blocked off the exit so no one could enter it from here.  This was the only place we encountered some trouble, when someone threw some glass bottles.  Unfortunately this kind of trouble has deterred a lot of people from going to the Carnival, which is a shame really.

It was in that crowd I dropped my watch for about the 6th time. I’ve dropped it down a drain in India, as well as lost it in crowds numerous times here and abroad, yet someone still ends up finding it for me! In this case, a guy tapped me on the shoulder and asked if it was mine. Very lucky watch. Kind of pointless story I suppose.

This man stood outside his house with his own ‘mini’ soundsystem:

The best soundsystem was Sir Lloyd which mostly played Dubstep and surprisingly wasn’t crowded at all.

There were lots of very good random acts performing on street corners.

The carnival must have the most Ed Hardy gear in one place at one time.

Most of the houses and shops were boarded up – no doubt in case riots took place like last year.

This man was walking around the streets with his “pet snake” as he put it. I thought it was a fake until it almost licked my face.   I have to say, it was a great way for him to get people out of the way!

It just occurred to me that I took no pictures of any floats or performers – for a change ; )

Sadly, the Notting Hill Carnival also marks the end of summer.  I’m positive we have a few more days of hot weather left though..! Summer can’t be over yet.. it’s gone far too quickly.

Thanks for looking, as always!