Hailandween? Thalloween? Should I stop?
I’m sorry, I just really like Halloween. I blame growing up in New England. But don’t worry, this isn’t going to be another boo hoo I miss fall in New England post.
Okay fine, it totally is.
If I could pick one holiday to spend in the U.S. it would be Halloween. I get almost as grumpy about not spending it in Massachusetts as I get when I can’t spend Christmas in Norway.
My last Halloween in America was one of my favorites, and yes, I dressed up as Taylor Swift, and no, I’m not ashamed. Actually I think it was one of my best costumes, not because it was particularly creative, but because the little girls trick-or-treating were so cute when they were all “YOU’RE TAYLOR SWIFT!!!!”
So there’s my hot tip for anyone scrambling for a last-minute Halloween costume: dress as kids’ celebrity.
Of course being out of the country doesn’t mean I can’t still celebrate Halloween!
In Japan I somehow convinced the other English teachers that we needed two weeks worth of Halloween lessons.
When I was volunteering in Mae Sariang I made the Burmese girls I was living with watch tons of Halloween movies (the kids ones – scary movies are too scary!). Because I was living out of a backpack and didn’t have my usual arsenal of Halloween costume supplies, we made due by smearing lipstick and black eyeliner all over our faces. Scary stuff.
Last year Danielle and I were backpacking through Dali during Halloween, so once again I turned to lipstick and eyeliner for a costume. We wandered around town pretending to be zombies, but since we were in China we weren’t sure if the makeup was getting us any more photos or attention than usual. In fact I’m pretty sure people were still more terrified by my blonde hair.
But one of the best things about celebrating Halloween abroad is how exciting it is bumping into other foreigners getting their Halloween on! We spent the evening in Dali celebrating with other Americans – the first we had seen in months – and I’m sure we have Halloween magic to thank for helping us find them!
And this year? My red lipstick was sadly in Danielle’s purse when it was stolen in Vietnam last year, so I’m wearing a striped dress instead.
Just like a zebra?
Anyway, now it’s time to put on Monster Mash and finish getting ready for tonight’s festivities!
Are you celebrating Halloween this year? Where are you? Tell me about your costume!!
Marie @ Marie Away says
It seems like you’ve been pretty successful bringing Halloween with you wherever you go! Just goes to show that as long as you have the right attitude, it doesn’t matter where you are. Happy Halloween!
Silvia says
Thanks, Marie! And you’re so right, it’s silly being bummed about missing holidays at home when you have the chance to introduce them to people abroad 🙂
Miriam of Adventurous Miriam says
I like your zebra costume! We don’t really celebrate Halloween in Denmark; we have Fastelavn in February instead which is almost the same, but it looks like fun. Happy Halloween 🙂
Silvia says
Thanks, Miriam, improvising a costume from my backpacking wardrobe is always a challenge, but a fun one! I just googled Fastelavn and it sounds like fun too 🙂
Joella in Beijing says
I always like the idea of going crazy for halloween, but then never do (it’s not quite such a big holiday in the UK). But this year I actually carved a pumpkin and had some friends round to eat loads of candy hahaha! I also made mulled wine and hot apple cider, ok not halloweeny but very Autumny- so it all felt rather festive! Next year we might be in the US so I’ll definitely be getting really into it then (I’ve already decided!!).
Silvia says
It’s funny how some holidays almost feel like a bigger deal when you’re celebrating them abroad. This year I forced my boyfriend to decorate Easter eggs with me and make banners for the house, when normally I probably wouldn’t do that at home, haha. And you DEFINITELY will be getting into Halloween if you’re in the US for it – no choice!
Vanessa @ The Travelling Colognian says
Happy Halloween! We don’t actually really celebrate it in Germany either but have carnival instead, as Miriam has already mentioned for Denmark. But right now I am in Beijing and yesterday I saw many people, both Westerners and Chinese, with Make-up and Halloween costumes celebrating it.
Silvia says
I loved celebrating Fastnacht when I was a high school exchange student in Germany – I loved that it was like Halloween but lasted for a week! Happy to hear that people are getting into the Halloween spirit in Beijing!
Nikita says
Hallowe’en is my favorite too! Potentially even my favorite thing about North America. Didn’t dress up this year for lack of costumes, but I did host a pumpkin-carving party with other expat friends and invited all our Czech friends to really experience an essential part of life!
Silvia says
Haha I was just telling someone that Halloween was maybe my favorite part about growing up in America! I haven’t carved a pumpkin in years now… Next year I WILL!
becky hutner says
well you are the certainly the prettiest zebra i’ve ever seen! conversely, am i the ugliest bride you’ve ever seen?
http://instagram.com/canadianinlosangeles
Silvia says
Haha thanks, and um, awkward but yes you’re probably the ugliest bride ever. Seriously, amaaaazing costume!
Miquel says
I missed Halloween this year coming back from and recovering from an incredibly brutal process otherwise known as a visa run. I didn’t mind until I started seeing photos from home. Looks like you had fun!
Silvia says
Blech visa runs, always killing our fun!
Natasha Amar says
That’s pretty creative of you to take Halloween with you wherever you go. You must really love it! Love that photo of you with the Burmese girls!
Silvia says
The Burmese girls were so funny about dressing up! They insisted on taking a million photos, but then once we were done they immediately took off all the makeup, haha.