Last Sunday after years of skipping London's Notting Hill Carnival (6 for Shay, 10 for K and 20 yes TWENTY whole years for me) we all decided to go down and visit as adults.
We had planned to arrive at 2pm, but as usual timing didn't go to plan. We weren't too far off track though, rocking up at a respectable 2:30pm; pre bought liquor in hand (we weren't abut to be victims of extortion). Our first stop, where else but to the whistle and horn man? We had to ensure that we were adequately equipped to make up noise with the best of 'em.
Making our way into the carnival route, whilst dodging the carnival participants and their van, throwing coloured powder paint on passers by, we were greeted by the smell of the finest Caribbean food being cooked on jerk pans (I swore I could smell jerk from 10 minutes away ON the bus) -I've got a good nose, what can I say.
Familiar music was blaring from almost each side road, and it was a toss up as to which road to delve in to first. As we made our rounds to a few sound systems, (King Tubby Sound being my personal favourite). We couldn't help but notice from something that stared in 1966 for the Caribbean community, that there were so many people from different cultures, almost outnumbering the Black Caribbean revellers. All the same Shay, K and I had a blast dancing it up, avoiding getting whined up too badly by the cruffy men, all whilst tooting our horns and admiring a few of the cuties passing by. There was this one cute passer by that Shay... Nevermind LOL!
I was having such an amazing time with my girls then all of a sudden at 7pm sharp, music 'lock aaf'. I couldn't believe it, we were having a blast and you mean to tell me this was it???
We had no idea that carnival finished so early, but due to trouble in previous years, these are the rules I guess. Maybe it's just as well it finished early because once we actually stopped dancing, our bodies felt mash up, and we were still to make our way home.
All three of us has such a wicked time and couldn't stop raving about it for days to come, the only thing that disappointed was the fact that we never saw or heard any of the Steel Bands, Soca Music and Calypso Bands the Notting Hill Carnival is historically known for (I didn't mind too much because too much Soca isn't my bag). It was most likely due to the time we arrived anyway.
I think I speak for all three of us when I say we will all be returning next year (earlier) and possibly for both days weather permitting, cah we don't want no colds yah. But until next year, three can only dream.
From Micky with Love
x
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