General thinking is that for one to celebrate Halloween properly one needs a abundance of Americans. I mean, who else in the world grew up trick or treating as a kid before moving on to less PC non-candy-related activities. It binds us in a way. (If your un-American society also celebrates Halloween, I apologize. It’s easy to ignore everyone else when you grow up American.) Here in Shanghai there are not only an abundance of Americans but also a great big crowd of other party-loving folks wanting to get in on this holiday of badly dressed drunks. The amount of bars and clubs hosting Halloween parties in Shanghai this weekend is downright monstrous, I’ve never seen anything like it in any other Chinese city. For me though I need to leave town. I want a more pure American Halloween experience, plus I’ve been here for 3 months without a single trip out of the city. So I’m headed back to Changsha, capital of Hunan province, where many of my old American teacher colleagues still live and we’re going to throw a bombastic party. Instead of last year’s Baijiu punch watercooler (that poor machine still pumps out water that tastes like rubbing alcohol) there will be punch in a bowl, I believe. My costume will also be improved. Instead of my vile smelling Indian hair extensions and un-shaven bum look from last year I’ve borrowed a tailored Qipao (旗袍) from my Japanese roommate along with her fur scarf and fake pearls. While I’m still don’t have any heels to wear one of my Chinese colleagues just lent me her small purse, which matches the dress perfectly. I work with such thoughtful women. By the way, my coworkers are loving the fact that I’m wearing a dress for a holiday that they will all be sleeping through. They just don’t understand…
After Changsha I’m off to Hong Kong (via Shenzhen) for work. Pictures and stories will be posted once I’m back to my normal day-to-day.
