NOISE ON THE HILL

毎年この時期に行われる名物行事、NOTTING HILL CARNIVALへ参加しました。映画の舞台として使われた事で有名なこの住宅街も、祭になると姿を変えます。ロンドン中から人々が集まり、サンバ・パレードと共に歌い、踊ります。道中からマリファナの怪しい香りがする中、老若男女が幸せそうにベランダからパレードを見下ろしている姿が印象的でした。さすがの規模だけに、警官の厳重体制もしっかりと整っていました。それにしても、ロンドンの警官は頼もしいです。

"This was the first visit to NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL. Usually, this place is famous for it's quiet and peaceful residential streets. But, as soon as the parade starts, it changes significantly to a bustling town. I smelt some strange smell of marijuana during the festival from all over the place, which was an experience I had never had before. As well as the large amount of visitors from all around London, there were numerous policemen who were in charge of this parade. London policemen, they are so reliable."