Happy Halloween from Nagashima!

The kids here on the island really enjoyed learning all about Halloween. The boys were keen on the skeletons and vampires while the girls were more interested in the pumpkins and ghosts. The youngest kids, while many of them had heard of Halloween, didn’t quite know what it was all about. When asking, “What is Halloween, anyways?” Students would respond with answers like “pumpkin,” “ghost,” “candy” and even “Christmas!”

At Shishijima Jr. High school we celebrated Halloween with a two hour party! Luckily for the students, the school principal gave us permission to eat candy during the day so after making scary masks we practiced saying “trick or treat” and then all scurried throughout the school halls in search of Halloween goodies.

Teachers and faculty agreed to pass out candy and prizes to each of the students as they made their rounds throughout the building. The school science teacher waited for his students to enter his classroom before jumping out of the closet to scare them. The math teacher, on the other hand, made each of his students solve a math equation before dishing out his share of the candy. Everyone had a good time, especially me, as I got run around and play all day.

A Halloween party isn’t complete without party games so we did those too! Unfortunately, the wrapping each other up like mummies in toilet paper idea was nixed so in its replacement we had to settle for the guess how many chocolate pumpkins are in the jar game. I quickly learned that it doesn’t matter what game we play, as long as it involves chocolate, it’s an instant success with these kids. There were 71 chocolate pumpkins in the jar, but not for long because the kids devoured them.

After pondering long and hard about what Nakazono San and I should be for Halloween it finally hit me. All I needed were two sushi platters, two cardboard boxes, some tape and paint, and finally the most important material of all, underwear. Why underwear? Because, for Halloween this year Nakazono San and I were Coin Laundry Man and Coin Laundry Woman!! Take a look for yourself.

Finally, I have updated a video for you to enjoy. I apologize in advance if at times it makes you sick watching. A few times throughout the video the camera gets a bit spinny so good luck with that.