Notting Hill Carnival

As soon as I returned from Munich, I was volunteering at the Notting Hill Carnival as part of Team Macmillan's float. I have never been to the carnival before and I've heard mixed reviews. Luckily it was Sunday where we were to attend, which is the less raucous (dangerous) of the two days.

The day started at 10am where we dressed the float and got the sound system going. The DJ started with the carnival beats, which are great. What we couldn't foresee at this time was how often we'd be hearing these songs...with not knowing the words at the beginning I would at the end.

The 'walk' was easily slipped into as soon as realisation kicked that it's more of a shuffle of varying speeds. The float companions were La Trinity, a band from Trinidad who had very different moves to me. They know their comfort zone and they stick to it. Yes this is bending over and shaking what they have got. Fair play...

hours and hours later when we arrived in the main Carnival area I had not spotted a rum punch or jerk chicken stall, plenty of Red Stripe and hamburgers but that's not what it's about, so I freed myself from the float and headed off in search of food.

This is when the appreciation really set in from being in the middle of the action to where the people are. It is a surreal thing seeing all the gorgeous shops of Notting Hill all boarded up. If I go next year I'll probably do the Monday when people are in full regalia, as I must say I love a bit of Carnival beat!

Small police presence...

Rum, Rum as fast as you can

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Carrie Travels: Munich Munching, Bavarian Beering

Continuing my marathon whirlwind tour of Europe next on the agenda was Munich. I've been before but only when it's freezing cold thus not so fun. I also didn't really get a chance to do any of the touristy things.

When thinking of Munich / Bavaria we have this wonderfully stereotypical view of old gents donned in lederhosen giving hearty 'Prost' with gusto clinking a ridiculously large stein (or maß). I was thrilled to see this is actually indeed the case.

Traditional Bavarian Beer Hall

Oompah Band

Te first stop on my Bavarian education was the traditional biergaeten. It was a hot and sunny day so we hopped on bikes (as is the Munich way) and parked up. I was amazed to see the guys didn't even worry about locking them up, knowing they'd be safe. This would never happen in London. You leave your bike unchained for 5 minutes chances are when you return it's gone.

I was told I would be having a traditional maß - no choice in that. When in Rome..

'Normal' size beer and a Bavarian Beer

If you haven't seen these beers before its hard to get the scale. I needed two hands to drink it. Te beer inside was really nice, luckily. I was also informed you have to drink it pretty quick otherwise it will get warm and flat.

A pint...of WINE

After one of these safe to say I was feeling tipsy and I wasn't going to tackle another one, so what else to drink...how about a pint of wine? Weisswein scholler is basically a spritzer but larger than life. As I'm learning is the way here. The German wine isn't as good as the beer so I made this last. The diet wasn't going well...especially as we had pretzels and a dippy cheese thing. Another thing about Bavarians, they love to feed you. I literally had people forcing things in my mouth.

Less traditionally the following night was a Greek restaurant. Another thing about Germans? They love a Prost...or since we were in Greece 'yamas'. The proprietor of the bar just left us with the bottle. I how it felt like a good idea at the time. How the mighty fall after a bucket load of Aperol spritz, ouzo and 'hugo' (a local cocktail).

Aperol Spritz and a tin / jug of wine

Aside from the delicious food and over indulging in the drink, I managed to see some of Munich. Which was a treat especially on a business trip.

Nondescript meat product

My liver barely has time to recover before heading to Madrid...Prost

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