Back from Frankfurt, and more about the carnival

The carnival was awesome. At times (see picture below) a bit post-apocalyptic. There were a couple times when windows were broken and where the crowd seemed on the verge of turning into a mob, but mostly it was just delicious caribbean food, pleasant weather and music worth dancing to.

I guess a couple people got shot though. And/or stabbed. One time this guy apparently fired into a crowd of people, did one of those evasive somersault rolls like he was James Bond, then ran off. Classy. Overall I think there were a few hundred arrests and only 2 people fatally wounded. Not bad considering there were over a million people there.

My damage was more like £30 for corn-on-the-cob (2x), jerk chicken with peanut sauce, a smoothie, some adult beverages and a whistle.

Greece fire

I'm supposed to go to Athens next week, but I think it might be on fire.

And I forget what to do when the fire is Greece-based. You're not supposed to use water, right? You're supposed to use something else.

In the paper today there was a quote from a local, [First name]-ios [Last name]-opoulos, that said, "I had to use 300 litres of wine to try to extinguish the fire around my house".

So that settles it. I'm guessing Ouzo would also work.

I'm off to Frankfurt tomorrow so the blog will be resting for 2 days. You'll have to find something else worth getting out of bed for in the morning.

I didn't quite understand that

example 1

British English:
The carnival was quite fun this year.

American English translation:
The carnival was decent. Nothing to write home about. Even the jerk chicken was just mediocre. It was no 2002.

example 2

British English:
The carnival this year was actually quite good.

American English translation:
The carnival this year was the best thing ever. The jerk chicken was the dog's [er/uk: that's a good thing].

Got a taste of the carnival last night and I'm definitely going back for more today. It was pretty rowdy and good fun (and then again, it was "children's day").

Here's the definitive history as explained to me by my Irish friend Rick O'Pedia if you're interested: Notting Hill Carnival.

Today

I bought two suits.

More breaking news as it occurs.

Wait a minute

It's kind of warm and sunny today. What the.

Oh and this is a three-day weekend for Londres. They just call their mid-year holidays "Bank Holidays". People kind of go nuts during bank holidays. The sunshine is a nice compliment to that.

So yeah I won't be working Monday (but I did work July 4th). I need this.

Carnival

This weekend there's a Carnival in Notting Hill. If you're thinking of cotton candy you've got the wrong picture in your head. If you're thinking of carnies you're on the right track.

This is the kind of Carnival where dangerous people get really really drunk, causing shopkeepers to board up their windows for fear of looting. Many residents skip town and others hire guard dogs and extra security.

It's going to be awesome.

Athens

Apparently it's not that great. I was pretty excited to go and then someone told me everyone smokes inside (offices even) and that nothing is green -- it's concrete as far as the eye can see.

Gonna eat me some [assorted] filo [pastries and wraps] though. And drink me some ouzo.

I'll also be consuming:
- koukkia (fava beans)
- grape leaves
- kolokythoanthoi

And dipping most, if not all of it in:
- tzatziki

Greek salad there is just called salad.