England: Vanessa Correa (Observation)

Program: UW Global Launch in London, Academic Year

I chose to observe Notting Hill on a busy weekend because it is one of London’s most recognizable neighbourhoods known for its colorful houses, lively streets, and pop culture. Not to mention one of my all time favorite movies being Notting Hill. I visited the area with my group, and while walking around, we stopped at several points to take photographs and observe the atmosphere.

I specifically wanted to take note of how people use the space and how different activities contribute to the identity of the neighborhood. The area was particularly busy, with people walking along the streets in groups, taking photographs, and visiting numerous souvenir shops. The brightly painted houses immediately attracted attention, with many people including myself using it as backgrounds for photographs. The houses at Notting Hill are not only homes and buildings but have also become visual symbols that individuals associate with London.

Another moment that stood out to me was seeing a man playing the violin near a pub. People continued to walk around him, while the music became part of the surrounding environment. The violinist was using a public space as a place for performance, creating both an informal interaction for himself and the people passing by. His performance also captured the lively and social character of the area.

The contrast between these two moments helped me acknowledge how different people can experience the same neighborhood in different ways. For some, Notting Hill appeared to be a place to live and work, while for others it was primarily a place to visit, photograph, and experience. The large number of visitors also depicted how tourism can influence the way a neighborhood is experienced and represented. I chose Notting Hill because of this mixture of everyday life and tourism. Its popularity means that the neighborhood has an identity that extends beyond the people who live there. Observing the area made me think about how much this identity is created by visitors themselves. Taking pictures, gathering in groups, and stopping to watch performances all contribute to the atmosphere that makes the neighborhood feel distinctive. My own position also affected what I noticed, I was participating in some of the same activities as the tourists around me. I was not simply an outside observer, I was also part of the crowd.

Overall, observing Notting Hill showed me how a London neighborhood can function simultaneously as a residential area, a social space, and a tourist attraction.