When I was a kid in England, Halloween always played second fiddle to Bonfire Night, alternatively known as Guy Fawkes Night. You may even have occasionally heard the rhyme:
Remember, remember, the 5th of November
The Gunpowder Treason and plot;
I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
It was our night for fireworks, sparklers and toffee apples!No need to dress up, other than warmly. No need to recreate the Village People or those Desperate Housewives. No need to wear some skimpy costume that shows off your chiseled abs and bulging bis. And most notably, no monkey masks (the girls and I were the "See no Evil, Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil" chimps, or monkeys, or whatever they are, today at work).
Just standing there, enthralled as the Guy (dressed in your dad's old clothes) bursts into flames atop the bonfire. Sparklers in hand. Biting into sizzling hotdogs and gooey toffee apples. Watching those burning embers at the end of the evening and trying to find that last piece of wood to throw on the fire and make it last just that little bit longer.
Good, simple times!
3 comments:
Guy Fawkes is replete with political representations. It is the monarchy's way of saying, "Fuck you Catholics for trying to blow up HP". Now Halloween is about topsy turvy fun. It is about dressing up and being what you normally are not, it is not political it is merely a kids holiday. Give me All Hallow's Eve anyday!!!
First of all -- never, ever make fun of candy corn. Secondly, as far as holidays go, what about Thanksgiving? Food & family: a deadly combination. Lastly, Halloween gives little boys their first taste of dressing up, creating a life-long confusion of sexual identity and social isolation.
You know you always trot out that "I'm from Merry Ol'England" card that trumps everything...
What doesn't sound more whimsical and desirable than...
"When I was a young lad growing up in England..."
:-P Damn you Brits and your adorable a Child's Christmas in Wales-like sayings!
How cute :-)
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