It started as a typical October, which suggested yet another straightforward Halloween. Earlier this month, decorations started to pop up in the neighbourhood, even though we aren’t known as one of the neighbourhoods with over-the-top Halloween decorations. Giant boxes of treats were available in all supermarkets. I gave in to social pressure and spent an hour on Amazon trying to buy a suitable Fortnite character costume that was both affordable and in stock. Mark hung a ghost in the living room and I added bloody plastic fingers and eyeballs to the list of items I routinely find scattered all around the house.

And then, Canada’s scariest organization delivered the most terrifying news ever—the Weather Network issued a Special Weather Statement for Halloween. Yes, it’s capitalized, because it’s serious, people.

The Weather Network Special Weather Statement for Halloween 2019

It would rain on Halloween. Like, a lot.

Outraged, locals took the issue to Twitter on October 30.

Apparently, some communities did postpone Halloween.

Feng and I argued over what to do. The initial plan was to celebrate Halloween at my in-laws who live in one of these over-the-top Halloween decoration neighbourhoods.

“Are we still going?”

“What other choice do we have?”

“… Not go?”

To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to do either. I surveyed my friends. Apparently, the most popular option was a scavenger hunt at home. “I just have to write where I hide stuff,” my friend added. “Otherwise we might discover forgotten candies next Easter.” Unfortunately, Mark knows all my secret hiding places—he goes straight to the dryer because I often put Easter Eggs or birthday presents inside. Plus, I didn’t have time to buy a bigger house and give him a few siblings to make the hunt more fun.

“Look, just stay home. I’ll take Mark early, after school, to get it over with,” Feng decided.

I kept on hoping it wouldn’t rain as much as expected but as usual, The Weather Network was right. It started raining yesterday and it hasn’t really stopped ever since—and many decorations were destroyed during last Sunday’s all-day downpour.

As I’m typing this, I’m sipping hot tea and my soaked winter jacket is in the dryer. I ran out of dry shoes. There are giant rain puddles everywhere and it’s still raining hard.

Hollywood lied to us. In movies, teens get stabbed on Halloween night but they are usually wearing shorts and a t-shirt when they bleed to death. No such luck in Canada. Oh, we’re alive and well but we will never get good weather for Halloween.

Damn it.

Halloween decorations, Island Park Drive, Ottawa
Halloween decorations, Island Park Drive, Ottawa
Halloween decorations, Island Park Drive, Ottawa
Halloween decorations, Island Park Drive, Ottawa
Halloween decorations, Gilbey Drive,Ottawa
Halloween decorations, Gilbey Drive, Ottawa
Early morning on October 31, just before the downpour
Early morning on October 31, just before the downpour
Rideau Canada from Heron Road on October 31
Rideau Canal from Heron Road on October 31
Ottawa River from Heron Road on October 31
Ottawa River from Heron Road on October 31
Mark, Halloween 2019
Mark, Halloween 2019
Mark, Halloween 2019
Mark, Halloween 2019
Mark, Halloween 2019
Mark, Halloween 2019
Mark, Halloween 2019
Mark, Halloween 2019

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4 Comments

  1. Cara November 1, 2019 at 5:06 am

    Aïe, pas de chance… Evidemment, entre Los Angeles où sont tournés beaucoup de films et le Canada, il y a une légère différence de climat 😉 😀
    Mark est mignon dans son costume.

    Reply
    1. Zhu November 2, 2019 at 12:26 am

      Oui, voilà 😆

      Chaque année, je me fais avoir. On pense toujours à Halloween à la rentrée, il fait doux, assez chaud… puis ça arrive et en fait il fait carrément froid.

      Reply
  2. Shandara November 7, 2019 at 7:34 am

    Its Halloween in Canada! On a souvent passé avec mon fils, son costume caché sous un manteau d’hiver tellement il faisait froid 😀 J’espère qu’il aura eu un peu de bonbons quand même 😉

    Reply
    1. Zhu November 9, 2019 at 1:51 am

      We somehow ended up with a GIANT bag of treats. It was a quick but efficient trick-or-treating night apparently 😆

      Is it EVER not cold on Halloween in Canada? I can’t remember before Mark but I know it’s been very chilly for the past four or five years.

      Reply

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