Happy Halloween!
Halloween in the US is a cross-cultural experience in itself. For those of us born elsewhere, the idea of dressing up in experimental costumes that reflect an idea, super heros or former selves is not a very adult thing to do. But oh well, I have comfortably grown into the idea thanks to my awesome friends who vigilently throw wonderful costume parties and do not take in anyone who remotely resemble their natural ways. After spending so much time begin serious, focusing, (grinding teeth even), it's quite liberating to be silly.
This Saturday, I stayed on my couch in PJs amidst layers of winter catalogues, New York Times sections and pillows trying to gather the energy to get it going. When the church bells rung six times, I gathered it was time for some strong Turkish coffee and heavy-duty Halloween make up. I put on white tights, a simple skirt and an orange T-shirt bought from the Village that read "Hello...." I pasted my face in white, creamy paint, dipped my nose in yellow and pulled three black whiskers on each side of my face. Hair pulled back, bunny ears folded to cat-size, and a ribbon aptly decorating the left ear.
Confident that there would be other people in costumes, I grabbed my metro card and started my journey from Carroll Street to Forrest Hills - first party location. Until the subway reached Delancey, I got nothing but weird looks; as I was the only non-human looking creature in the car. One guy walked up to me and asked: "Are you a bunny?" No, I replied disappointed that my costume was not understood. "Are you a kitty cat?" Sort of I thought, but just said yes to get out of it. "Are you frisky?" he tried one last time to get my attention. "No," I said and cut him off.
I buried my face in the paper and ignored everyone else until the train got to Queens.
I got off at the 75th street stop and followed my friend's cryptic instructions. Hang a left, cross, look above, see sign but turn the other way... The streets were desolate, but well lit. I saw a mom and her two little daughters approach the intersection hand-in-hand. As they came close enough to see me, the girls started jumping up and down with joy and screamed "Hello Kitty!! Mom, look Hello Kitty!"
I knew I had it down.
This Saturday, I stayed on my couch in PJs amidst layers of winter catalogues, New York Times sections and pillows trying to gather the energy to get it going. When the church bells rung six times, I gathered it was time for some strong Turkish coffee and heavy-duty Halloween make up. I put on white tights, a simple skirt and an orange T-shirt bought from the Village that read "Hello...." I pasted my face in white, creamy paint, dipped my nose in yellow and pulled three black whiskers on each side of my face. Hair pulled back, bunny ears folded to cat-size, and a ribbon aptly decorating the left ear.
Confident that there would be other people in costumes, I grabbed my metro card and started my journey from Carroll Street to Forrest Hills - first party location. Until the subway reached Delancey, I got nothing but weird looks; as I was the only non-human looking creature in the car. One guy walked up to me and asked: "Are you a bunny?" No, I replied disappointed that my costume was not understood. "Are you a kitty cat?" Sort of I thought, but just said yes to get out of it. "Are you frisky?" he tried one last time to get my attention. "No," I said and cut him off.
I buried my face in the paper and ignored everyone else until the train got to Queens.
I got off at the 75th street stop and followed my friend's cryptic instructions. Hang a left, cross, look above, see sign but turn the other way... The streets were desolate, but well lit. I saw a mom and her two little daughters approach the intersection hand-in-hand. As they came close enough to see me, the girls started jumping up and down with joy and screamed "Hello Kitty!! Mom, look Hello Kitty!"
I knew I had it down.
posted by Mimi Media @ 11:51 PM
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