Notting Hill Carnival!

"Held each August Bank Holiday since 1966, the Notting Hill Carnival is the largest festival celebration of its kind in Europe. Every year the streets of West London come alive, with the sounds and smells of Europe's biggest street festival. Twenty miles of vibrant colourful costumes surround over 40 static sound systems, hundreds of Caribbean food stalls, over 40,000 volunteers and over 1 million Notting Hill carnival revellers."

Ah the Notting Hill Carnival... one of the highlights in London of the year. Think of it as London's take on the Carnival in Brazil. I viewed it more as a cross between Carnival and a massive State Fair (minus anything and everything on a stick). The parade was quite fantastic, very ornate costumes, and there were local flavors of countries around the world. I got to try authentic South African food, for example. The crowds were horrendous though and Notting Hill Gate tube stop was even closed due to all the people flooding in. Luckily I was close enough at Marble Arch to walk along Hyde Park to the event, but I must say, it was a bit MENTAL! The area was trashed as well - rubbish piled up next to every tree and fence - and lost of drunken people wandering around with open bottles. Note-to-self, need to mentally prepare for this event next time (I had come straight from class and wanted a leisurely stroll through Notting Hill lol). Fun times nonetheless! I've provided a few pictures I snapped (not the best photography skills here, sorry!)