Notting Hill Carnival … I am so excitied
I work near Ladbrook Grove and as such I am in the heart of the Notting Hill experience – I mean the black and multi-cultural version not the ‘white/ middle-class / blanked out version’ as portrayed in the film. It’s a lovely area but what is clear is the extremes of wealth and poverty in the borough – never have I seen such a grand example of the social divide. Right now the preparations for the carnival are in motion - I am talking about the physical area. I can see the streets being prepared by the delivery of the ’barriers’ ready for distribution. For me the ’barriers’ are part of the ‘art’ of the festivities the ‘caracture’ and the costume - a social analogy mimicking and reinforcing the division – the divide in the borough – they too are part of the spectacle. The carnival and mass bands have been preparing for the carnival for over a year – of course you know deciding on themes, designing and making costumes, raising money, training musicians and dancers. There is definitely a good vibe and a buzz in the air.
I am so excited!
Lauretta
I like what you said about the barriers. I took some pictures of the ones on Oxford and Cambridge Gardens literally minutes before I read your blog (I have Notting Hill on Google alerts in case you wondered how I found it) and when I get a chance, probably tomorrow, I’m going to write an article about them on my blog.
Have a good Carnival – and if you get a chance, pop by Gaz’s Rockin’ Blues on Talbot Road mid Monday afternon
Hello lauretta,
I could still remember the way u made it easier to remember the name of your website;”dairy of a blackgirl” u said it trice and it got stuck in my head…… also,at same time, the dairy of Alicia keys started running through my head; so it made it a lt easier to remember. Its a cool website,i and my friends will be visiting it often. I love the way its being presented along with the content.Much better than i initially thought it would be.My compliments. Robin- the guy who sang for u Diane during the bayelsa state conference at Holloway road- remember?