Notting Hill Carnival, pt. 2

I never realized how amazing spending a festival packed with Jamaicans, Brits, Carribean Islanders, and even Americans can be. WOW. The Notting Hill Carnival 2004 did not disapoint, and today lived up to all the hooplah leading up to it. We saw alot of funny things today, and also came up with a bunch of purely cultureal (yes, i misspelled it on purpose) pieces of life in Europe.
We saw many things, but to remember the order of when we saw what would be too difficult. For one, people were crazy. There was this one crazy-eyed, jesterhat-wearing hooligan blowing his loud noise maker to his hearts delight.
Building to the craziness and cultureal experience, the police officers around the carnival only added to the overall atmosphere. They were everywhere -- some on beautiful horses, some in paddywaggons, and LOTS guarding the floodgates to cross the street between floats. I noticed that cops in London, both male and female, are remarkably good looking, even the older ones. I also realized that the male cops wear big, tall hats with a oversized badge flashing in the front. Some say it looks goofy, I think it is a complete multi-cultural sight. But while these incredible hats are worn by the males, the female cops have to wear goofy little woolen Charlie Chaplin hats with black and white checkers around the brim. Isn't that weird? I find it quite sexist; if this is such a progressive and liberal city, which it is, then why do the men get to wear the far superior hat? Even in America the men and women cops get to wear the same uniform. Sheesh, even at TGI Friday's the waiters and waitresses wear the same thing!
There was even this one cop who was speaking to the crowd through a megaphone, and was cracking jokes the whole time. A joke-cracking cop! Who would guess? Certainly not back home. The only joke cops at home crack is giving me tickets for traffic violations they didn't even see!
Anyway, besides the cops, it's also worth mentioning that the Carnival is a complete celebration of not just Jamaican and Carribean culture, but ALL cultures. There were flags from Trinidad, UK, England, Jamaica, Kurdistan, and Canada. So Rocky, wanting to represent his homeland, brought his American Flag and wore it around his waist. He told me that he thought about what he would say if someone started messing with him for his blatant display of patriotism, how he would let them know this and that. I forget, but it's really not that important. What is is that I told him that he need not prepare to say anything like that because Carnvial is a complete cultural experience, and adding another country's flag just adds another color to the proverbial box of crayons; it could only make things more vibrant.
On our tube ride home, a man takes advantage of the silence throughout the traincar and makes an announcement: "I want to make an announcement!" When he said that I at first thought we were all gonna get mugged. But then he continues, "I just want to inform everone of something my brother just did. I just have to say this because of the courage it takes to do so. My brother just came out of the closet! Everyone give him a hand!" After that, we all started cheering for this man, who liked like he was about to enter his forties, for doing something he probably wish he'd done 20 years ago.
As we were getting off the train, Rocky told me that he heard the brother who made the announcement say to his brother, "I got your back, man. I always got your back." This story needs no further commentary. Just something you wouldn't see in a NYC subway. I mean, London has a reputation for it's coldness, it's snobbery, but scenes like these tear apart all the stereotypes.
Ok, so that was my day at Notting Hill. I also got pictures, which I hope to put up as soon as I figure out the damn picture service.

Notting Hill, pt. 1

Today was a cloudy overcast day, with a high of 67 and a low of 55. COLD.
Anyway, today was a pretty lazy day. It was, afterall, after a night at CAMDENTOWN, which is the craziest place on earth. In Camdentown, Rocky, Gak and I went to the world famous Jazz Cafe and saw an exclusive DJ set by none other than ?love, the drummer for one of my favorite bands, The Roots. It was a loud, fun time, and one I wouldn't trade for even the 15 quid I had to plunk down to get into the venue. After ?love's set, Rocky went up on the stage to slap five and say "what's up," but ? was busy and wouldn't show love. He said he would in a minute, but we were pushed out by the patrons. Oh well.
We got home on a night bus and I slept till 1:50pm this afternoon. After I got up everyone was gone xcept for Rocky. Everyone had left for the Notting Hill Carnival already, so we decided to head out.
We walked to Carnival in around 30 mins. Not too bad. It was pretty wild but not as wild as I expected, what after all the hype leading up to it. We went to a steel drum competition the night before and it was pretty big, but I wasn't that excited by it because the competition was amongst steel drum students, and not professionals. I mean, they were good, but watching a bunch of white 14 year olds bang out calypso just didn't seem that genuine.
Anyway, we got to carnival (not THE carnival; that is what the tourists call it) and there were huge crowds, expensive food, and no bathrooms. We missed the mas (masquerade), so there wasn't that much excitement. Tomorrow, however, is supposedly the REAL day for carnival, the day that parents are told to keep their kids home for, so hopefully it'll be the truly wild experience that all the hype has been building up to.
After Carnival, I fell asleep and didn't get up till 8:30. Now it's 1:53am and I haven't done much besides chat online or go to the Tesco Express for some milk and eggs. I also found tobasco, which should be a huge help with the grilled cheese.
So I noticed on the way home from the Tesco a place call "Modern Books" closing down. That was like the 5th bookstore I've seen in London closing down! I wonder why. There really aren't any Barnes and Noble or Border type places I've come across, and all the corporate chain stores are little narrow hole in the wall type spots. Also, the stores have very little literature and fiction -- mostly just art, self-help, and biographies. Weird.
Anyway, it's 2 am now and I'm not tired at all. Got British Humour tomorrow at 10:30, so I should probably think about trying to sleep soon. I also need to find a song to present to my Music in London class on Tuesday. Thinking "Tikvah" by Sabliminal. Nice and Hebrew.
Cheers!

My London Contact Info

Here is how you can reach me in London.
Call my cellphone at
07746837234

Send mail or packages to:
Ben Berliner
Ithaca College London Center
35 Harrington Gardens
London SW7 4JU
England
United Kingdom

A quick update, I just walked to Baker Street (yes, THE Baker St., home of Det. Sherlock Holmes) to buy my first book for my Irish Lit. class, The Star of the Sea, by Joseph O'Connor. It's about an Irish immigration ship headed for New York and the trials and tribulations those aboard face. There's even a murderer on board! Oh boy!
The Irish Lit. class seems pretty cool. I really feel like I'm gonna enjoy Irish stories. I mean, I loved Brigadoon, so James Joyce should be stellar. Peace.

Shakespeare in the Park

I just got back from the Open Air Theatre in Regent's park for a lovely showing of Shakespeare's a Midsummer Night's Dream. It was a little long, a little cold, but all around a worthwhile and fulfilling experience. I really didn't understand most of it, but the acting and choreography was done well enough to make it more than enjoyable.
There was no class today, so I spent most of it making lists of what I need to do and then looking for a job. I still need to buy my books and school supplies.
To find a job, I took the tube to Oxford Circle and went hunting. Couldn't find much, but I did find out where I can grab an application to Cafe Nero, which is a popular starbucks ripoff in London. I'll probably check it out sometime this weekend, but am not too optimistic about finding work there. Most of the food service jobs are not looking for workers, so I'll look into clothing or retail tomorrow. I really don't wanna wind up at Woolworths!
While looking for a job, I also did some windowshopping and sightseeing. Oxford Circle's a real happenin place -- lots of shops, restaurants, clubs...you name it. It's also very very crowded. I read in one of my flatmate's books that there was a Kosher rastaurant on Goodge Street, which is in the Oxford Circle area, but I couldn't find it. Must've closed down. I hope to go to one of the Jewish sections of town this Sunday and find some good eats. I also plan on calling or visiting synagogues about Hebrew or Bar-Mitzvah tutoring. Can't hurt!
Ok, Rocky's shaking his head at me for no reason. I will make a new post very shortly with contact info, including my phone number and address to send stuff to. It's gonna be my mailbox at the Ithaca College London Center...not my flat address. The London Center's address is safer and more reliable.
Cheers!

Fear and Loathing in Londontown

So far, I'd had 4 classes, and only 2 of the professors were in town for them. Bill, the Center's director, subbed for those classes. One of the classes was my Modern British politics one, which is taught by this Iranian guy named Mundi Moslem, who is currently in Germany. I gotta kick outta that. He should be back for next week. All the classes so far seem pretty cool, but the 2 hour and 15 minute class times do make me a little restless. If anyone knows where to find good adderol in the UK, please let me know. JK.
Last night I went to my first European football match (soccer game to the ignorant American :)) between the Queens Park Rangers and Swansea (i forget their team name). It was really good fun. Soccer fans up here are CRAZY. The home team fans sit in a different section than the away team fans, and they prefer to yell at eachother more than yelling at the players or refs, as we do in the States. Things got ugly, too, because Swansea is in Wales, so there was some pretty vulgar anti-Welsh spatter. All in good fun tho. When the goals are scored, the crowd goes absolutely nuts.
Other differences I found interesting between football matches in UK and the USA are that they call the ref "referee," and they sing in unison team chants, much like a US college game.
After the match, we went to Piccadilly circus, which reminded me of Times Square, and went to a very American club called the Sports Club. All the bar tenders wore shirts that said "SCUK," which I thought were funny. Also, there was a dance floor and a DJ, but he played mostly American songs. Which wsa pretty cool, but I hope to check out a more European club in the near future.
Don't know what I'm gonna do for dinner tonight--maybe make that curry I bought yesterday. I went grocery shopping yesterday and picked up 18 quid worth of goodies, so I had a really nice lunch. My flat got this AWESOME grilled cheese maker, so I had one today and it was delicious.
I decided it would be better to upload my pictures to a free picture viewing site that is separate from this one. When I have it set up, I'll post a link. Until then, cheers!
One final thing, check out the Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) website! http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Home

Londontown

This morning I had my first class, British Humour. Pete, Jamie and I decided it best to enjoy the London scenery and walk to the center from our flat, which we predicted to be 30 minutes away, but as it turned out the walk was a little longer than we predicted so we ended up 15 minutes late to class. The professor wasn't as witty as we had hoped, but still cracked enough dry ones to keep me awake. That was at least until he started the movie, which wasn't too exciting (or funny for that matter), at least until the end.

After we finally left class, we walked back with abby and joan, then stopped for some pizza and wine for lunch. A pretty good deal-- only 6 pounds for a whole pie. Then we continued walking back then stopped for some more food. I got this really good mushroom cheese and spinach sandwich for real cheap. As I kept walking, I suddenly realised I needed some juice, so luckily we passed by this juice place. I decided to get the juice of the day, which was mango, orange, and banana, and put it in a really nice litre bottle. It was good, but since our fridge doesn't keep things too cold, it kinda got skunky.

We then chilled out in the flat till dinner-- me and pete went out for indian but ended up just getting more lebanese food. There are so many lebanese restaurants on Edware, it's totally rediculous...or retarded, as Neshama Karlbach would say (in a totally non-political way). I suggested we play the cow-graveyard game, only instead of cows we have lebanese restaurants and swap the graveyards with indian ones. Pete said that was stupid, so we never played.
After the lebanese, we stopped at baskin robbins and I got a mint chocolate chip milkshake. Aw man, it HIT THE SPOT. Expensive tho. Tomorrow I will go for a serious grocery shop and get enough food to last me for a month. That way, I won't need to throw down 10 pounds everytime i'm hungry.

After dinner the whole house sat in the living room and watched the Ali G video that the French kids that lived here before us left behind. Aw man he's funny. We laughed so hard. Then we played some spades, drank some tea, and hope to do some serious Londoning tomorrow. I WILL go out for breakfast tho, cause there is this amazing little breakfast place by the London center that has delicious OJ, fresh crussants (i'm not even tryin to spell it) with marmelade, and cappacino, all for very cheap.
Cheers!

First post from LONDON

I'm here at london in my flat of 10 right off the Edgware stop of the tube. London's really wicked fun. Last night I went to Camden town with most of my flatmates, and there we visted the pubs and cafe's until it was time to go home.
Everything in london is very expensive, but I am learning to deal. I'm working real hard on finding the cheapest meals and deals around this town. Also, hopefully I'll find a job here. Maybe at a coffee shop. But probably not. We'll see. The good folks at the Ithaca College London Center said they'll help me in the process.
Speaking of which, I need to start classes tomorrow. British Humour at 10:30.
I hope this thing works. If it does, I hope everyone who reads it enjoys it. I plan on writing some kinda entry every night. If not, I don't. Butfor now, I hope to update nightly. Maybe even also post pictures if I'm able to. Either way, I miss everyone from home and wish all the best.
Cheers!