Over fifty thousand revellers in outlandish costumes paraded down a Manhattan avenue for several hours. Two million came to watch, many thousands visiting from every continent in the world. One word best defined the mood of the day -'happyness.' It was a sea of humanity, folk at their very best: we probably feel the same way, at Ganapati time. In New York, demons brought people together in a manner never mastered by smiling heavenly cherubs: ironic, indeed. It is a day for children, to witness the joy they experience is a treat, but Mervyn and I will continue to gatecrash. The overcrowded pubs and bars in the city, with screams and laughter into the wee hours showed that people can be human, if they choose to do so. Word is Merv and Rolly were at the same party. eric.
________________________________ From: Mervyn Lobo <mervynal...@yahoo.ca> To: "goanet@lists.goanet.org" <goanet@lists.goanet.org> Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 11:42 PM Subject: [Goanet] Trick of treat? Folks, Today is the day when people in Toronto don costumes and go out celebrating. It usually is (to me) one of the most enjoyable days of the year. The younger trick or treaters are dressed early and are the first to arrive at your doorstep. It is an absolute delight to answer the doorbell and see an adorable two year old girl dressed up as a fairy. Even more enjoyable is to watch them skip up the driveway, fascinated that all the neighbours will give them sweets and all they have to do is beam and say, "Trick or treat?" It is easy to figure out who is five years or older. These kids now have a say in what they are going to dress up as and last years dreamy four year old fairy, suddenly becomes a five year old zombie. The older the kids get, the more macabre their costumes become. My favourites are those with one eye falling from their skulls. The more daring transform into murderers. There always is a wide spectrum of axe, knife and sword wielding characters who are happy to demand candies and flee, in glee, when their goal is achieved. The more creative kids arrive with a bloody mess where their head should be. Tucked into one arm, the way a rugby player tucks the ball, is their real head. Such costumes are a sight to behold. A lot of front yards are converted into mock graveyards. It can be cold, it can be rainy, it can be both and windy too as it was today. This only adds to the setting. Imagine this if you can, the fallen leaves are swirling and wavering in the wind. There is a bunch of excited, pre-teen, murderers walking down the street. A slow mist is creeping up around the lamp posts and there is nothing but excitement in the air. Their talk, believe it or not, is about candies. And sometimes about whose house to go to next. What the kids do not notice is the elaborate set ups that some parents have taken the trouble to construct. Those celebrating will have stuff anyone can buy from Wal-Mart. But there also is that one simple special pleasure. The pumpkin. Actually, the carved pumpkin. Carved pumpkins, ranging from the truly admirable to the almost disgusting. It is all part of the fun. It is also all part of the fun Toronto I live in. Mervyn (at the end of a great day.)
