London: Halloween

Coming from Australia, (the land that takes Halloween for granted,) it was refreshing to be staying in a country that likes to celebrate the occasion.

Coming from Australia, the land that takes Halloween for granted, it was refreshing to be staying in a country that likes to celebrate the occasion. Halloween in London was something that I was especially looking forward to. October nears its end and every expat in town starts complaining about the clocks switching back and the 4 pm sunsets they're all about to endure. I will admit I was worried. I am a major fan of sunshine, and secondary to that: daylight. The thought of night beginning to fall by 3:30 pm was a daunting one, although, what none of the locals mention is how magical the city becomes almost instantly with the turning back of the clocks. Possibly so desensitized, they really don't see how lucky they are. Candy, dress ups and parties on Halloween, fireworks and bonfires on Guy Fawkes Day, and then followed by all the goodness of Winter Wonderland, plus on top of that, Christmas decorations spanning the city on a scale I've never witnessed before.

Jack o'lantern.

@ Ministry of Sound

​Walking out of the house and down the street to the station and passing by jack o lanterns perched on fence posts or door steps and fake cobwebs covering residents gardens was cheering to see. In the afternoon children went door to door playing 'trick or treat' and adults filled the pub with an extra excuse for after work drinks. I was heading to Brentford for drinks (and as it turns out, amazing pastries), but first, to the one place I definitely should have gone a week prior: a costume store. 

I seriously underestimated just how many people could fit inside one store, there had to be at least 120 people inside, all slightly frantic and frantically looking through the shelves. Luckily the store in Clapham was prepared and their stock levels were still good. I managed to pick up kitten, sailor and bee accessories for all of the upcoming Halloween events.  

Halloween fell on a Thursday, so low key, last train home drinks were planned at Brentford, although, one too many drinks were probably had and the night ended with me walking into a pole (it came out of nowhere) and my best friend almost dying on the ground from laughing at me so much. Friday night was Halloween at Ministry of Sound, Elise and I dressed as a bee and a sailor, jumped on the train and head out to Elephant & Castle. Saturday night there was a house party at my friends place in Hammersmith. It was a great weekend with friends. Were slowly getting the point in Australia, Halloween events and house parties seem to be growing over the past decade, however, it would be great to see us develop some skills on the decoration side of things too. ​

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