Enjoying Notting Hill Carnival

[Numbers]

I wonder how many people who say they don't like Carnival for whatever reason are comfortable at free squat parties, unable to walk, choc full of donkey spanker.

each to their own I know. but I seriously question anyone who can't have a good time at Carnival, it's what you make it yourself.

altho' - maybe there's too many black people there for most honkies. maybe their the ones displaying threatening behaviour.

carnival, imo, symbolises London's multiculturalism at it's best. and I for one love it.

ffs.

 

[girasol]

I really like the carnival but I've had a couple of scares over the years:

The first ever time I went someone tried to snatch my camera out of my hand, they failed, but it fell on the floor, the film popped out and the camera was a bit fucked... Then it rained...

The second one was terrifying though, I was 5 months pregnant, took a wrong turn and ended up near the bridge (near Ladbroke Grove). I got caught in the crowd, which was going in all directions, but going nowhere at the same time... After about 10 minutes I managed to get out (somehow I managed not to panic too much), by then I had lost my partner, couldn't get through to him on the phone... I ended up walking for about 2 hours before I found a tube station that was open. After that I didn't go for about 4 years! It really put me off...

I've been back twice since that time though, and had a lovely, trouble free time.

Vixen is right, once you learn what to avoid it's a really lovely event!

 

[wrysmile]

As mentioned on another thread, I got scared when some fucker yelled 'there's a bomb' and smoke randomly appeared, whereupon hundreds of people, suddenly terrified, started running. It was really brief and I just grabbed my girlfriend and jumped behind a big pole - but it was very scary. I didn't hear what the person yelled, I was just scared by the big surge in the crowd, I thought I'd be crushed. But that was late on Monday afternoon and apart from that I had a fantasic time - loved the music, loved dancing behind the floats and joining the parade, loved the soundsystems in the backstreets which had to be the loudest music I've ever heard. Will definitely be back next year if I'm around. Shame the last bit had to put a dampener on a great weekend.

 

[rutabowa]

I wonder how many people who say they don't like Carnival for whatever reason are comfortable at free squat parties, unable to walk, choc full of donkey spanker.

err, probably not very many?!!?
I agree with this: "carnival, imo, symbolises London's multiculturalism at it's best. and I for one love it."... but i don't think it makes someone a bad person if they don't want to come, too! some people don't like crowds, and that...there's lots of reasons they might not enjoy it, it's all fair enough. anyway, i had good time, hope u did too.

 

[girasol]

altho' - maybe there's too many black people there for most honkies. maybe their the ones displaying threatening behaviour.

When we were there on Sunday it was actually a bunch of white kids who were displaying (rather pathetic) threatening behaviour.

 

[magneze]

When we were there on Sunday it was actually a bunch of white kids who were displaying (rather pathetic) threatening behaviour.

When they both took off their belts and started making "snapping" sounds with them I started to think it was some kind of bizarre S+M mating ritual.

 

[Louloubelle]

I've been loads of times and loved it but the last couple of times I got crushed under a bridge for about 20 mins and thought I might die, got hit in the eye with a lighted cigarette by a drunk woman waving her arms around, got my bag cut open with a knife (they didn't get anything but it was scary to think that someone had used a knife near me), got threatened by a very aggressive gang of girls who were spitting at and randomly attacking women, was punched hard by a metally ill man who was randomly punching people at the TOV rig, got sexually harassed by countless men, and had to go home early because a really drunk bloke dropped a full can of larger on my toe and my toe swelled up like a fat sausage and turned black and was so painful that I couldn't walk let alone dance.

In previous years when I've gone with a group of friends I've had the best times and been hassled less

The times I haven't enjoyed it so much have been when I've seperated from my friends to go to different sound systems and I think it can be tough being a woman alone at carnival as you get a lot of hassle from men

I think carnival has its good and bad points and whether you have a good time or net depends to some extent on luck

 

[Blagsta]

I wonder how many people who say they don't like Carnival for whatever reason are comfortable at free squat parties, unable to walk, choc full of donkey spanker.

each to their own I know. but I seriously question anyone who can't have a good time at Carnival, it's what you make it yourself.

altho' - maybe there's too many black people there for most honkies. maybe their the ones displaying threatening behaviour.

carnival, imo, symbolises London's multiculturalism at it's best. and I for one love it.

ffs.

*yawn*

 

[Numbers]

go to bed then old man...

 

[Blagsta]

I just find your opinion rather tiresome and your insinuation of racism quite pathetic.

 

[DrRingDing]

.........choc full of donkey spanker.

.

 

[Numbers]

I just find your opinion rather tiresome and your insinuation of racism quite pathetic.

show me where I'm wrong then Blags... eh!

going on what you actually quoted..

I know for a fact on this thread alone there are those who enjoy getting spanked on donkey in any one of several 'orrible situations. but yet find carnival uncomfortable. where's the logic in that, where is it tiresome...

and anyone who can't avail of a free afternoon of celebratory carnival culture, be it in the heart of the masses, or on the outskirts, drinking pop, or dinking poteen... there's something for everyone there... everyone. is that tiresome?

I also know people who possess a fear of being a minority amongst minorities, i.e. uncomfortable amongst a group of black people... their problem indeed, but these people do exist, and amongst this existance I'm pretty confident there are those who will not go to carnival for said reason... is that racist... no! maybe tiresome then... you tell me.

and please correct me if I'm wrong thinking that {quote} carnival, imo, symbolises London's multiculturalism at it's best. and I for one love it.{unquote}...please Blags... correct me.

ffs... er... tiresome and/or pathetic. please.

please correct me where relevant tho'.

 

[lizzieloo]

err, probably not very many?!!?
I agree with this: "carnival, imo, symbolises London's multiculturalism at it's best. and I for one love it."... but i don't think it makes someone a bad person if they don't want to come, too! some people don't like crowds, and that...there's lots of reasons they might not enjoy it, it's all fair enough. anyway, i had good time, hope u did too.

The thing is the original post was this

Is it possible?

I've been four years running and absolutely hated it and this year I'm taking Japanese friends of mine.

Just wondering if anyone has ever had a good experience?

It not, a list of local pubs in the area
PLEASE

Why oh why is this person considering going to something he'll hate, has experienced before more than once and hated it then too.

Do something else, it doesn't matter if you don't enjoy Carnival.

 

[Blagsta]

.

 

[William of Walworth]

Well I'm very sorry I missed it. I blame bone idleness ...

When I return though, I know I'll love it, simply through knowing what to look out for and what to avoid