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<\/a><\/p>\nOnce we arrived at Notting Hill Gate, we found an abundance of ethnic restaurants lining the street. While we thought such different eateries would imply a diverse population, we found the exact opposite to be true. The area was filled with almost entirely white, apparently upper-class, by-passers. With a few dramatic exceptions, we found the area to be quite upscale, with immaculately designed townhomes and expensive restaurants and shops.<\/p>\n
The station is named Notting Hill Gate because it is located on Notting Hill, which historically was the home to several toll gates.\u00a0 The station is here because of both commercial and residential appeal of Notting Hill Gate.\u00a0 People would travel to Notting Hill Gate because the area is almost a perfect living example of the hodgepodge of London\u2019s cultural identity.\u00a0 The streets have a variety of ethnic restaurants \u2013 there\u2019s a tapas bar next to a dim sum restaurant, which is across the street from a kabob restaurant \u2013 as well as a selection of oddities and clothing shops.\u00a0 There is no rhyme or reason to this area; Notting Hill Gate is a collection of interests from a variety of different cultures.\u00a0 There is also a residential aspect, which ranges from growing upper middle class town houses to large flat buildings for people living paycheck to pay check.\u00a0 It is in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.<\/p>\n At our site we found a giant elephant statue.\u00a0 It was a large metal elephant that was more air than substance \u2013 it was made of thin wires that intersected each other in a flowy pattern with a fan where an eye would be.\u00a0 It was located outside of the Newcombe House on Notting Hill Gate.\u00a0 The elephant is one in a series all over London to raise awareness about the upcoming Elephant Parade Event, which raises money for elephants world-wide.\u00a0 The upcoming parade is not new but this is the first year it will be held in London.\u00a0 As far as we saw no one took notice In an attempt to find out where the Notting Hill Carnival, an upcoming event, would be taking place, we decided to follow some signs that directed us to the point of the future festivities. Unfortunately, the signs quickly disappeared, and were (apparently) replaced with blue arrow signs attached to several poles up and down the street. As we began the trek down the roads where the signs were, we came across even more signs of affluence. There were gourmet shops, fishmarkets, and even a tailor shop packed with sewing machines. This was all quite fascinating, but at this point we had walked about 25 minutes and had not found the site of the carnival (so we thought). So we decided to make our way to the nearest Underground station. After some help from a woman on the street (Who introduced herself via weather-speak), and some more aimless wandering, we finally located the Ladbroke Grove Underground Station. At this point, we were exhausted. Luckily we were able to catch the Hammersmith & City line all the way back to the Euston Square Station, which was only a few blocks from the hotel. This trip took about half an hour, which combined with our forty minute hike through the streets of Notting Hill, was not quite as quick as our other route. Also, the train became packed at the Baker Street exit with mostly businessman making their way home. By the way, the carnival takes place on several of the streets of the Notting Hill area, so we did find it\u2026 a couple of times.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>of the statue.<\/p>\n