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An Irishman in London

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18 August 2004 Carnival Tony >
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Rolling to Kensal Green
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On the Narrow Boat
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To the Bishop and Bear
« August 2004 Archive
19 August 2004
11:44:00 o'clock BST

Carnival Capers

Picture from Hometown

Carnival hoarding

 

Here we go again – the Notting Hill carnival is round the corner and we’re all getting ready to groove. They are in the process of putting the hoardings up to protect the flats and these are a nice canvas to display artistic talent. In my younger days I followed the floats with a can of Tennents Super but now I look on feeling a little bemused. 

 

Back some years the floats were more frequent and you saw some nice displays every couple of minutes but now you could wait for twenty minutes. The crowds have got too big and it’s a lot of hype now with too little substance.

 

There are two schools of thought here. Some people love it for the energy and music and vibrancy and food and the chance to let off steam. To listen to great sound systems and meet friends and be part of the scene. Others detest it for the fact of been practically locked into their homes for days and subjected to a cascade of throbbing sound. And then there’s the litter. For months afterwards every hole and cranny in the area is filled with crisk packaging and old beer bottles and unfinished chicken legs and the rest. Not too mention the chewing gum stamped into the ground.

 

One of my neighbours is going to Hastings and there he will sit on the beach sipping a beer and wondering at the ebb and flow. I think he has the right idea but man; he’ll miss the buzz.

Written by liampu Blog about this entry
This entry has 3 comments: (Add your own)
  • #3 Comment from liampuEntry Author 
    20/08/04 12:38 | Permalink
    The answer Jeannette is to join in the fun and go with the flow. There is nothing I can do to alter the situation so reach for the chilled lager and be ready to bop...
  • #2 Comment from jeanno43 
    20/08/04 11:37 | Permalink
    Thanks Liam for pointing out some things I did not know. Have only ever seen the carnival on t.v. and they just show all the colour and music.  I have never stopped to think of the litter or people being stuck in their homes, nor the noise pollution.  Still, it has become a tradition now and I guess with all the trouble in the world, people do not some light in their lives.
    As for sitting on a beach somewhere with a cool drink - ah, yes please.
  • #1 Comment from sarahchickie22 
    19/08/04 19:06 | Permalink
    This is Sarah, the creator of "Class of 2005: A Personal Journey."  Just wanted to say thanks for commenting in my journal.  Yours seems great as well!  The carnival sounds sort of like the Art Fairs here.  Sounds exciting!  Thanks again-
    ~Sarah