Halloween

For the past three days Vaughan and I have been absorbed by Halloween-related activities, despite the fact that neither Japanese, Belgians or New Zealanders really celebrate this holiday. Blame it on the large contingent of North Americans in the Fukuoka JET community, they have inspired the rest of us to party along ;-). For the Belgians who might be unsure about the exact meaning of Halloween, here is some info! According to the website Wikipedia "Halloween" is derived from "Hallowe'en", an old contraction of "All Hallow's Eve," so called as it is the day before All Saints day (observed by some Christians, including Roman Catholics), which used to be called "All Hallows," derived from All Hallowed Souls. The holiday was a day of religious festivities in various northern European pagan traditions, until it was appropriated by Christian missionaries and given a Christian reinterpretation. Irish, Scots and other immigrants brought older versions of the tradition to North America in the 19th century. Halloween is celebrated in much of the Western world, though is most common in the US, Canada, Ireland and the UK. Most other Western countries have embraced Halloween as a part of American popular culture in the late twentieth century, as indeed have Japanese retailers! We ended up going to two Halloween parties; one in the center of Fukuoka on Fridaynight and another one the next evening way out in Iizuka - also known as the 'whop whops' by us citydwellers ;-). Certainly enough Halloween for one year! (Click on this link if you want to read a Flemish article on the impact of Halloween in Belgium: http://www.msn.be/vrouw/nieuws/halloween/)

Me as Morticia Addams (on a bad hairday!), 80's gym teacher Mike, cowgirl Sara and sushi roll Kylie, the ultimate winner of the costume competition!

Hilarious 70's gymteacher Ian Two Japanese guys we met and whose names I forgot (I blame it on the Kahlua...)

Joyce, Yasuko, Ken, Ann, me, Tina & Tepe (who was dressed as a drunken salaryman; great costume!)

On Saturdaynight we caught a ride with Phil to a JET-flat in Iizuka, where the rooms were bursting with partygoers, the atmosphere electric and the air filled with spray fumes (due to graffiti)! After my Morticia Addams-debacle I decided to dress up as an ice princess/snow queen, while Vaughan brought out his macho side with a wig, fake -thank God!- chesthair and some impressively tacky jewellery. I think Phil's alter ego was either a vampire on speed or a freaky version of the villain from 'The Incredibles'. Who can tell...?

Aussie shark victim Matt

Slutty angel Chris, pimp Erik & Elena

Vaughan and Marie strutting their stuff as Macho Man and Lara Croft

3am group picture