Autumn Leaves - me feeling busy but grateful

Post I

As often happens with these things, life has delayed my blogging for some time.  Today as I work on various project proposals, my procrastination mechanism has been triggered and I feel compelled to write.  After living in Niger the past year, I could not help but nod and laugh last night at the pronouncement “Tomorrow is a day when, for the rest of the world, Americans seem to go a bit insane…” at the beginning of a BBC report on Halloween.  My best effort last year was a night in the Dosso hostel with friends, cooking a massive amount of onion rings and watching the scariest selection of movies available until we passed out.  This year I am in my village, with little desire to “educate” my neighbors on our…interesting…holiday.  Not even enough effort to carve a pumpkin as many volunteers do.  I do not feel guilty because really, my neighbors don’t need another reason to think Americans are bonkers.

Halloween seems so far away now, and it took a minute to remember my last celebration of the holiday.  My last Halloween involved last-minute scrambling and the unfortunate purchase of a long bright red wig, now reminiscent of Johnny Depp’s mad Hatter since I have watched Alice in Wonderland so many times with my neighbors.  Two Halloweens ago, my college roommate joined hundreds of others in imitation of Sarah Palin, though unlike many others, Stephanie pulled it off.  Katie was forced to add a fleece to her Betty Rubble outfit, sadly it wasn’t leopard printed.  At least her dark bobbed wig flattered her features and was still telling of her costume.  Our night out in Washington DC was low-key as we chose to skip the high cover charges at the bars for the simple joy of strolling together and congratulating fellow revelers on their imagination.

Even though I am not a big Halloween participant, I am glad that I remember that it is today.  I feel more connected to home and that BBC report had me chuckling and remembering just what it is like.  I did feel a pang of homesickness for the sweeter parts of the night, handing out candy, orange and black baked goods, “scary” movies, costume camaraderie, both topical and original.  Like the reporter said, Halloween must be the only American holiday that exists for pure pleasure.  There are no strings attached and the only pressure is to avoid wardrobe malfunctions during the night.  I hope that everyone back home had a happy Halloween and that you were able to report to work Monday morning!