How To Scare The Neighbours

Halloween is almost upon is. While walking through the streets, you can see some store windows decorated in orange and black, with little spiders, bats, and witches spooking their way around the streamers. But that's where the Halloween spirit end. Italians don't celebreate Halloween. There are no carved pumpkin faces smiling on doorsteps, no mini packs of Halloween candy in the aisles of the supermarkets, no rumoured costume preparations among the children at school, and no adult Halloween parties to attend.

A few days ago, Sania and Jason arrived at our apartment for the Italian leg of their around-the-world tour. They brought with them a little pumpkin for us. After dinner one night, we decided to carve him up North American style since all us NA-ers were missing out on Halloween by being here in Italy.

When Enzo saw the pumpkin, he thought it was great! It was his first jack-o-lantern viewing. We told him that we planned on putting the pumpkin out on the balcony all lit up, and he jokingly said "For sure the neighbours will call the police!"

We didn't believe that the neighbours would be scared of a little lit up pumpkin, so last night we got him all ready and put him out on the balcony railing. A few minutes later, we saw the man who lives across the street come out on his balcony to throw out some garbage. On his way back in, he looked up and saw our balcony. Then he stopped, and stared, for about 2 minutes, before going back in. Then a few minutes later, we saw him peering out his window at the pumpkin. Then he was back on the balcony again staring at it.

We all thought is was hilarious and started flashing the kitchen lights, and playing scary music to complete the mood. It was great. Whoever thought a little pumpkin could cause such a fuss?