Unfortunately, with my teaching profession, and Indy's soon-to-be teaching profession, long vacations around Halloween are unlikely, however weekend trips are a possibility every 6-7years or so (depending on the leap year, of course!)
I've compiled a list of the *best* places to be on Halloween in hopes that we may be able to complete a few of them.
1. Salem, Massachusetts
This is the only one from my list that Indy and I have actually done! Back in 2008 we spent Halloween in Salem, and it was amazing. Think Mardi Gras meets Halloween. Salem was pulsing with activity that Halloween weekend- all the shops and restaurants were completely decked out in Halloween decorations, and there were so many colorful characters (some costumed, some not!) But more than the party-scene, Indy and I enjoyed the history. Salem is so rich with it, and it's evident on every street corner. There were so many different types of museums and learning centers, different community theaters and information stands. It was the ultimate combination of educational and fun. We're hoping to maybe make it back to Salem in 2015, when Halloween will be on a Saturday again.
2. Derry, Ireland
Believe it or not, the origins of Halloween are believed to have been in Celtic Ireland (some places argues Scotland as well). The Gaelic festival of Samhain was a celebration of the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, celebrated at the sunset of Oct. 31st and into the wee hours of the morning. It was kind of their "new years," and considered to be the last day of the year where the souls of the dead came back to their homes, and evil spirits were released from wherever they'd been kept. In fact, jack-o-lanterns originated in Ireland as a way to ward off evil spirits from entering the home! Derry, Ireland is home to the world's biggest Halloween celebration. Something like 30,000 people take to the streets to celebrate with costumes, music, games and other celebrations.
3. New Orleans, Louisiana
Indy and I have never been, but NOLA is on my list of top 10 places to visit in the near future, whether it happens to be on or around Halloween, or not. Along with NOLA's rich culture and amazing food, they've got deep ties to voodoo worship and witchcraft. I've heard they've got incredible ghost tours and in a place so lively the rest of the year, how could it not be an incredible place to be on Halloween?! I've also heard they have incredible concerts around this time of year- another reason to go!
4. Bran, Romania
Dracula, by Bram Stoker (who was an Irish author, by the way) is one of Indie's all-time favorite books. Every year he nags me to read it (I will, eventually!). We've watched tons of Dracula films and documentaries (my fav's are the 1992 Dracula with Gary Oldman, and Leslie Nielsen's Dracula: Dead and Loving It...which Indy doesn't really count, but I do!) We've talked about traveling to Romania just because, but all the Dracula ties make it all the more enticing. Even though it's been beaten like a dead horse, and anyone who knows anything about Dracula knows that he, was not, in fact, based on Vlad the Impaler of Romania, it'd still be fun to go there and see all the castles and stuff. Romania has it's own non-draucla mystery, and I'd love to be there on Halloween to check it out.
5. Bangkok, Thailand
Thailand, and South East Asia in general, is the goal for our next "big" international trip (we're crossing our fingers for this coming summer). In all of our research, we've found that despite being a Buddhist cuntry, Bangkok is one of the best places to be on Halloween. Go figure! I've read it's more about a reason to party than actual beliefs in spirits and ghouls and goblins, but it still sounds like a good time. There are tons of restaurants and bars that really get into the Halloween spirit, as well as big costume parties in the streets. I've also read it's a big time of year for Thailand's gay community- the more outrages the costume the better, and every year they try to out-do the one before it. Having been to the New York Halloween parade more times than I can count, I've seen some pretty outrageous costumes- I'd love to see if Thailand is a contender!
Have you ever spent Halloween somewhere cool? Have any place to add to my list?
festival of Samhain
festival of Samhain
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