Store displays gave us advance warning American Halloween traditions had bridged the ocean to invade Europe.
Spain’s vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that Halloween is the eve of a national holiday – Dia de Todos los Santos, or All Saints’ Day. While not a full-scale conquest yet, Bilbao appears on the cusp of adopting costumes.
Not sure this export is something Americans can take pride in, yet I have lots of memories of truly happy Halloweens. Well, if I eliminate the freezing cold ones when coated with icy water from exploding balloon bombs. Oh, and the embarrassment the next day of having my father knock on doors of perpetrators, who had gracefully draped the trees in our front yard with rolls upon rolls of toilet paper (flirtatious or hatred?), and demanding its removal.
From a perch by the Cathedral de Santiago in Bilbao, we viewed a superfluidity of nuns emerging from All Hallows’ Eve Mass. As shadows of gargoyles lengthened on the church’s façade, differently attired figures began to appear.
Groups of young people and a few costumed families crisscrossed the plaza. For devils, the Addams Family and handmaids, the photo op presented by posing in front of the Gothic-style façade proved irresistible.
As for us, we’re not big on dressing up for Halloween or selfies. A computer program at The Design Museum in London a few weeks ago seduced us into breaking character. The screens transformed your face with makeovers appropriate for some of the fashions featured in “Rebel: 30 Years of London Fashion.”
While these looks were meant for runways, they definitely appear more appropriate for horror films on us. In fact, downright ridiculous.
Hope no Halloween tricksters ruined your evening and that our selfies don’t haunt you with nightmares. Is there anything more frightening than clowns?
Postcards from Barton Springs 