Notting Hill Carnival (Notting Hill Carnival)

Member Name: yahoo2003

Product:	Notting Hill Carnival
Date:	01/09/09 (48 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tasty food. A lot love the atmosphere, music and crowds

Disadvantages: Just too busy

I went to Notting Hill Carnival this year on Sunday 30th August - apparently that's kids day and today (Monday 31st) is the main day, but I can't say I saw that many kids about, but perhaps they were where the floats were rather than in the streets where we were which seemed to be more about the sound systems. I've been a number of times before. When I was young my dad used to take us and we'd watch the floats go by with people in their dramatic costumes. The two times I've been as an adult were a few years ago when I went with my boyfriend but we didn't really know where we were going and just ended up stuck in crowds not really knowing why we were there or what we were doing.

Finally, this year I went with my boyfriend with a view to meeting up with various friends (who I never managed to find as it's impossible to meet people there), thinking this would finally be the year I saw the real Notting Hill Carnival and would have a great time. Unfortunately I was disappointed once again and have decided I don't really like Notting Hill Carnival. Don't get me wrong - I love a good atmosphere, I enjoy festivals, I enjoy socialising with my friends and having drinks and good food, but I just don't get the carnival so I've decided you're either a Notting Hill Carnival person or you aren't, and I'm not. A lot of people love the Carnival and you may too so I don't want to put anyone off, I think you need to decide for yourself if you're a Notting Hill Carnival person or not!

********** What is the carnival? **********

The Carnival attracts many thousands of people to the streets in and around Notting Hill. It's over the bank holiday weekend in August for 3 days from around 12pm to 7pm and I think it's essentially about 4 different things (and yes I've probably missed things off as I'm sure other people will think there are other main aspects to it / behind it but this is my take on it):

1. The Food.
The theme of the food is Caribbean and the stalls mainly offer a selection of very tasty home-made style Caribbean food - Jerk Chicken, Goat Curry, Rice & Pea, Corn on the Cob etc etc. It's generally pretty spicy and I must say I love the food. Most people seem to bring their own drinks but you can buy beers off stands (£2 a can while I was there) or pop into a pub.

2. The Music
In addition to the tasty food there are a number of different sounds systems with different DJs pumping out different types of music at full blast. If you get a programme you can find out what sound systems are where. People gather round the sound systems to dance and it gets absolutely rammed to the point where you literally have to push past people to get through, and this isn't just at the front this is quite a way back. This means that getting anywhere is really difficult and if you are claustrophobic in any way you'd be best of avoiding this. I'm not claustrophobic but did get extremely frustrated by the crowds and just had to get out.

3. The Floats
I didn't see any floats this year but there are huge parades which consist of a number of different floats going past with people dancing on top, normally with a sound system and often wearing very dramatic and colourful costumes. This is good for the kids as well as the adults.

4. The Crowds
The Carnival seems to be as much about the crowds in general as anything else and the people there mainly seem to just enjoy the buzz of mass crowds and excitement. Like I said, I found it frustrating but a lot of people enjoy / would enjoy this and will just sit (or stand and dance) and soak up the atmosphere. I must admit that it is quite fun just people-watching as you see a real assortment of different characters.

********** Problems **********

1. Meeting Up
Notting Hill Carnival is almost an impossible place to meet people, so if you plan on meeting anyone there it needs to be a really, really specific place, it's no good just trying to meet at one of the sound systems and the mobile networks are often jammed or you can't hear your phone so that doesn't help either.

2. Crowds
I won't harp on about it but like I said it's absolutely rammed full of people and you have to push through to get anywhere which I found frustrating

3. Toilets
You can either use one of the portaloos or you can queue in one of the pubs for quite a long time and pay to use the toilets there. Obviously this isn't enough reason not to go but just thought I'd mention this.

4. Trouble
Towards the evening the carnival starts getting more rowdy and fights start to break out so it's a good idea to leave at 5 or 6 if you can.

********** Conclusion **********

A lot of people seem to absolutely love the carnival and good for them. It's not for me, I just didn't really get it and preferred the evening when I went to a bar and could still have a dance and a drink and socialise with my friends but in a less stressful atmosphere. I think the best approach to have with Notting Hill is either to be very organised and know exactly where you're going, or to do the opposite and have an extremely laid-back approach and just go along with everything and let the hecticness of the crowds wash over you and not bother you while you enjoy drinking, eating and dancing.

Summary: Not for me but many seem to love it!