Oct 31, 2010

Wan Sheng Jie Kuai Le!

...or "Happy Halloween!"

Halloween is bitter sweet because it means the holiday season is coming. October-January are difficult in Chi.na. But I've done it twice already, and I always come out at the end of the holiday tunnel with great memories and deeper bonds with friends whom I spent the holidays with.

Halloween is fun here in particular because it means walking around on an otherwise normal Chi.na day dressed crazy. I was a tiger (it's the year of the tiger in the Chin.ese zodiac and I already owned ears and tiger running tights). This meant that I got to growl/purr at a the guards for my neighborhood, a taxi driver, the store clerks at the corner mart, and random Chin.ese people on the street.

Let me tell you what, that was therapeuric/hilarious/awesome!

I also ran into one of my old students from two years ago on the street. Dressed as a cat. "Oh hi, here I am with painted whiskers on my face, what's up?!" That was awesome. We just had a normal conversation like it was any ol' day and I just was dressed like a cat.

Some friends of mine were having a gathering on the roof, so I bundled up and headed out. We barbequed meat on a stick, sang songs, took pictures, and spread Halloween cheer to the natives who thought we were slightly crazy.

Here's some photographic evidence:

This is my, "I miss Mirabelle" pose! (my rabbit I gave away last year):

Go USA/Packers? And is it strange that a homemade cheesehead reminded me of my sister?

bonding moments galore:
party on the rooftop, with lights! We even saw Orion's belt and the MOON! (first time seeing a constellation in Chi.na....normally we get no stars at all.)

Cecilia stabbed me!
Yin Jia the motorcycle girl:

random group shot inside trying to warm up:


Best quote of the night goes to my dear friend Zack:

"I'm 28 years old and here I am on a rooftop in Ch.ina talking to an 18 year old Chi.nese girl in a chicken costume."

Holidays here are...surreal.

One holiday down...some to go.

Eat some good candy for me. And while you're at it, have some caffeine for me too.

Happy Halloween from Asia!

Walk slow. xoxo.





1 comment:

Mom said...

Missed you tonight, Jessica! You would have loved watching Annie and Noelle great all the trick-or-treaters! THey loved being with all the children!

Mom