caribbean | Little London Observationist

I rarely get down to Brixton, but the village is a great place to pick up some unique fruits and veggies and try some Caribbean food. Jerk chicken – mmmm. Last Saturday I went to catch up with some friends and took a few photos while we were there. I bought some mamon, round green fruit that grows on little branches. You crack open the shell with your teeth, take the peach coloured fleshy fruit in your mouth and use your teeth to scrape it off the small pit in the middle. We also tried buñuelos which are deep-fried doughy balls. Brixton’s got a unique vibe you won’t find anywhere else in London. If you haven’t been, it’s worth it. Bus 159 from Piccadilly Circus or the Victoria Line straight down to the end.

If you’re got your own Brixton pictures you’d like to share, add them to the Flickr pool.

Expect elaborate, vivid, colourful costumes covering strategic bits of wriggling bodies in a long and impressive parade.

Expect whistles and party horns from a crowd of a million people that make up an incredibly vibrant atmosphere, 40 static sound systems pumping out Soca, Calypso, Reggae, Funk, R&B and House music that makes you want to dance along with stages featuring live acts that have included in the past the likes of Wyclef Jean and Jamiroquai.

Expect to be enticed by the mouth-watering aroma of jerk chicken and curried goat coming from 100 booths serving up delicious Caribbean food.

Yup, it is Notting Hill Carnival weekend this Sunday and Monday, and the only bank holiday I get off of work because my office is in the thick of it all. It’s also a brilliant weekend for photo opportunities if the weather holds cleans itself up – or even if it doesn’t.

The carnival was started in the ‘60s by the Afro-Caribbean community, drawing its roots from the carnivals of the 19th century in Trinidad which celebrated the abolition of slavery. The first carnival in Notting Hill was meant to showcase a steel band that used to play in Earl’s Court on weekends.

It ended up creating a community feel that has been built up to the world-famous festival it is today.

Head down on Sunday if you’ve got kiddies for family fun and costume prizes. Or, if you’re in it for the pure chaos, Monday is made for madness and music that starts in the morning and carries on late into the morning hours.

Take public transport, don’t expect an easy escape or clean toilets and keep your eyes on anything valuable you bring along, but also expect to be impressed by the effort that goes into the costumes, energised by the music and inspired by the culture. I’d say it’s a must to go at least once if you’ve never been before.

One more little tip – If you’re coming from outside of London and want to save a bit of money on accommodation, vouchercodes.co.uk is running a deal in connection with Travelodge offering £15 off “flexible rate room bookings”.