Unless you're working on a bank holiday (awww!), it's likely you'll be heading down to Notting Hill for London's favourite street party, the Notting Hill Carnival.
Notting Hill Carnival roots back to the early 1800s in the Caribbean islands, where they traditionally celebrate the emancipation of slaves in the Afro-Carribean communities. The festival has been widely celebrated following Great Britain's passing of the Abolition of Slave Trades in 1807.
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Held in London every August bank holiday weekend, the Notting HIll Carnival is today the largest street festival in Europe, attracting over 1 million people each year. It is also the second largest festival in the world next to the Carnaval do Rio de Janeiro, where about 2 million people all over the world come to join the festivities.
The usual route of the parade starts at Great Western Road, carries on to Chepstow Road and Westbourne Grove and ends at Ladbroke Grove. On the way, you will be treated to colourful costumes and larger than life headdresses, throbbing beats of reggae, hip-hop and drum n' bass music, and the irresistable smell of Jamaican jerk chicken on the grill.
They say thet during the festival, it's a sin not to drink Red Stripe from a can. Unfortunately, I had to break the rules by opting for 4 mini bottles of shiraz which I bought at a reduced price from the local Tesco - which would have cost me the same as 4 cans of Red Stripe, but of course it had double the alcohol content, so no thinking twice there! But by the way for those who don't know, Red Stripe is a tasty Jamaican lager. It is a mainstay and regular sponsor at the Notting Hill Carnival so have it when you get a chance. They are available in any convenience store along the carnival route and from street vendors, if you don't mind paying 2-3 pounds a can. I guess price doesn't matter when you're having fun!
Only happy people and good vibes are allowed in the carnival. See the winning smiles from these photos.
In fact every once in a while, there are also delegates from the animal kingdom...
Wow. Don't you just love the chaos?!?
Talk about spreading the love...
But there will always be someone who keeps the peace and order.
Doesn't he just look the part?
The paraders are very generous here - you get free smiles, free hugs...
free lifts???
and strangers will even open your beer bottle for free, especially if you happen to be one of those who thought drinking from a glass bottle is cooler than drinking from a can (but not being able to open your drink is not very cool though, sorry Joy!). I'm also like that sometimes!! But of course, feel free to browse in the crowd for that good samaritan who will help quench your alcohol thirst with his bottle opener keyring. Again,it's all about spreading the love!
Hey momma, where's that frown coming from? That's not allowed!
I should have introduced you to this guy!
Even this London bus is joining the fun. I don't know where it's going, but surely it's telling you to have a nice day!
And so we did. :)
