Portobello Road

Thoughts

Portobello and I have met several times. During my semester in London I had an internship nearby. The first time I was sent here by my boss to take care of some business. As a quick off-topic, if you are ever in London in late fall/winter and have classes/work that runs until 5 p.m., don't ever count on seeing daylight. I honestly never did. The time I found myself in the middle of the busy Portobello Road I couldn't stop starring around. It was the first time I got to see the real London. In daylight. It was amazing. Portobello has all the rare items you can think of, it sells everything you thought didn't exist, wasn't made or ever imported into the country. It's here, all in one place. Tourists mix with Londoners, sellers mix with buyers, scents of chicken shashlik, turkish sweets and hot spicy wine mix in the air. When I think of autumn the first things that come to mind are freshly made minced pies, that make your fingers sticky and your stomach happy, colorful shops, All Saint's corner and the most amazing Thai Restaurant serving Green Curry .. and all these places are on Portobello. 

The second time I got here was on a rainy day in May. It was a Thursday, the market was closed, yet the colorful houses - real eye-candy, were just as bright. It was dramatically more quiet yet still fun. I found an old map printed in the beginning of the 20th century for my dad and a fun store that sold cupboard handles made in every imaginable size, shape and material. Portobello can be drastically different depending on the weather, time and season, yet it never fails to surprise and make one happy. 

History

The street got its name from a conflict between Great Britain and Spain. During what is known as the War of Jenkins' or Guerra de Asiento - a war that lasted for three years (1738-1742), Admiral Edward Vermon captured a town in Panama called Puerto Bello. To commemorate the victory and praise the talented general the name of the city was modified and adopted by the city of London. The street was known as a food market starting from the beginning of the 19th century. Some hundred and forty years later antique dealers turned up and claimed some territory. 

Just as before, antiques and vintage items are normally sold on Saturday mornings, when the market becomes a real bee hive. The street is almost one kilometer long and is famous not only for the market itself, but for the multiple bars, restaurants, clothing, jewelry and even craft shops.

BBC One even has an antique game show called Bargain Hunt where participants look for unique items on the sellers tables to later sell them during an auction. And speaking of the loved Notting Hill - most of the outdoor scenes in the movie have actually been shot on this particular street.