So I decided to hit the Notting Hill Carnival after a few years of hiatus. I absolutely forgot about it till two of my colleagues rang me on Sunday night and asked me if I would like to go with them. And what other way is nice to end of a bank holiday weekend of partying and binge-drinking? ![grin]()
Anyway, I used to be a super-regular there before the carnival got violent in 2007, and that was the last time I went there. For those who were raised in London/Londoners, I honestly don't think the carnival has recovered from the 07 debacle. If you missed it, you definitely didn't miss much. I left early as well. And for those who just came to the UK - it's still fun. Personally, it just doesn't have the feel it used to have since most people have stopped going. Most of the Londoners who go now are "youngers" who're just trying to get the carnival-feel for the first time. Add tourists to it.
My carnival moment this year has to be when I saw my Ijebu people (got pics for that) representing for Yoruba culture and Nigeria. I absolutely went nuts - and I chatted for a few minutes with the mums and dads repping the great Ijebu people. It was also a photo op for the tourists and most people who saw their carnival-trailer - everyone was just taking pictures of them. Also most of the other trailers with the dancers played Afro-beats tunes and naija really represented, especially with 'Oliver Twist', 'Chop my Money', and 'Alhaji' tunes. The crowd went nuts every time they played 'Oliver Twist'. Not surprised because 'Oliver Twist' was a chart-topper out here and in a lot of countries in Europe.
Finally, I could have taken more pictures, but I was too lean to be ar.sed to do that. I went on a bigman thing and I was more interested in chatting with the half-Unclad chics. Had fun doing that (Wanna see pics?![grin]()
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Also, I would've loved to go to the naija-stand, but I was with a different crowd and the few naija chics I saw with naija flags weren't too appealing, to be honest. And the last time and only time I went to the naija stand in 2007, it was rubbish. I just hope they represented well for naija. ![tongue]()
Enjoy the pics!!!
Anyway, I used to be a super-regular there before the carnival got violent in 2007, and that was the last time I went there. For those who were raised in London/Londoners, I honestly don't think the carnival has recovered from the 07 debacle. If you missed it, you definitely didn't miss much. I left early as well. And for those who just came to the UK - it's still fun. Personally, it just doesn't have the feel it used to have since most people have stopped going. Most of the Londoners who go now are "youngers" who're just trying to get the carnival-feel for the first time. Add tourists to it.
My carnival moment this year has to be when I saw my Ijebu people (got pics for that) representing for Yoruba culture and Nigeria. I absolutely went nuts - and I chatted for a few minutes with the mums and dads repping the great Ijebu people. It was also a photo op for the tourists and most people who saw their carnival-trailer - everyone was just taking pictures of them. Also most of the other trailers with the dancers played Afro-beats tunes and naija really represented, especially with 'Oliver Twist', 'Chop my Money', and 'Alhaji' tunes. The crowd went nuts every time they played 'Oliver Twist'. Not surprised because 'Oliver Twist' was a chart-topper out here and in a lot of countries in Europe.
Finally, I could have taken more pictures, but I was too lean to be ar.sed to do that. I went on a bigman thing and I was more interested in chatting with the half-Unclad chics. Had fun doing that (Wanna see pics?
) Also, I would've loved to go to the naija-stand, but I was with a different crowd and the few naija chics I saw with naija flags weren't too appealing, to be honest. And the last time and only time I went to the naija stand in 2007, it was rubbish. I just hope they represented well for naija. Enjoy the pics!!!