'Tis the season to be jolly....

No, I haven't suddenly got all uncharacteristically festive about Christmas... I am talking about Halloween over here.

It's a surreal phenom. People decorate their houses to get ready - the pictures speak for themselves. They buy the candy out of every single grocery store. On the night itself, families go from door to door trick or treating, except there are no tricks, just lots and lots of treats. And people get all dressed up...

Our neighbors were no exception when it came to getting into Halloween. People sent each other treats anonymously just to say hi and send good wishes to each other. And on the night people went from house to house all dressed up...kids were dressed like something out of Disney. If your porch lights were on, they stopped by to pick up treats. If not, they simply moved on. Tia was sleeping and we didn't relish the idea of the doorbell ringing every ten minutes, but I stepped out to say hi.

It was totally weird being in this environment where it was like walking through Disneyland, all happy people and goodwill and candy on Halloween. Being greeted by a woman in a witch outfit, holding the hand of a toddler sized Winnie the Pooh and realising it was my good friend Josee. Every one was out smiling and laughing and sharing candy.

They were horrified when I said we didn't really celebrate Halloween, decorate our houses in the UK, that people tricked as much as treated.. that it wasn't something you took your toddlers out on an evening for.
But then just imagine if I told them about one of the festivals we do celebrate:

"But we have Bonfire Night"
"Oh great! So what is that about then?"
"Some guy who tried to blow up the government.And kids make up effigies of the man , Guy Fawkes and stand on street corners saying "Penny for the Guy"
Looks of concern all round.
"You celebrate a terrorist plot?"
"No, the bonfire celebrates the fact that the guy who failed and was executed."
"On a fire?"
"Well actually tortured and hanged, but the bonfire makes more of a night out. You hang out by the fire , keep warm, that sort of thing."
"OK... and the fireworks?"
"Well they're great, look stunning, light up the city sky. You have sparklers and rockets and Catherine Wheels."
"Catherine Wheels - what are they?"
"Well they are named after the wheel which a saint, Saint Catherine was martyred on."


"So basically you're celebrating the execution of a guy who tried to blow up the Government and the execution of a saint.... and this is a family event..."

"Well... I guess so.... "
"Great."