Halloween

Halloween is not a Romanian tradition at all, but this year the kids have decided to participate in some of the American traditions. They have organized a party for the evening. They have published invitations which are posted around the school. This is going to be a really wonderful evening. I have been invited and decide that I should go. I have no costume so decide to go as an American. The gym is decorated for the occasion. There are lights strung from the rafters that are intertwined with red and black taffeta. Pretty yellow and red leaves are scattered on the floor. There are carved pumpkins glowing around the perimeter of the gym. It is quite a sight.

All the kids have costumes. There are mostly high school students, but there are also some younger siblings who are welcomed to the festivities. There do not appear to be any chaperones. Several of us teachers have arrived as we were invited and it sounded like fun. These kids don’t appear to do stupid things and are capable of making intelligent decisions. I am not sure why this is. It may be that it is a small, isolated community and peer pressure to behave is very strong.

They are all in costume and it is hard to tell who they all are. Some have come in traditional costumes of sorts. Some are dressed as ghosts and ghouls. Some are dressed as cats and clowns. Some arrive in evening gowns while others wear rags. Cross-dressers and gypsies. Even Santa made an appearance. It is quite an amalgamation. The MC for the evening has a fabulous set of tails with a striped shirt to set it off. He has spent some time making his face look pretty scary.

As the evening moves along, there is a pumpkin carving contest. I have been asked to be a judge. It is really difficult to decide. One little boy has made an excellent jack-o-lantern. It even has long strands of twine for hair. It wins first place. There is dancing and vamping for their friends. Finally, it is time to leave before the last maxitaxi leaves. These kids have had a wonderful evening and so did I.