I always brainstorm Halloween with the best of intentions and little foresight. Typically, it’s September when monsters and treats invade supermarkets. I consider a cool costume, accessories, and makeup as if a jacket, a hat and gloves won’t be needed by late October. Then, over the weeks, as the weather inevitably gets colder, rainier and windier, I take my expectations down a notch—okay, Mark may need a sweater… And on October 30, I wish I could buy a winter coat and snow pants with skeleton prints, which I’m sure I can find for a five-year-old at… huh… the… Gothic store for kids?
Turned out the H&M skeleton costume I bought last year still fit. Phew. This was the warmest and most practical choice, even if it’s not Pinterest-worthy.
On October 30, I added an extra touch to the outfit—I painted Mark’s nails black. He had been begging me to paint his nails forever so this was the perfect opportunity. Yes, Mark, it takes a long time to dry. Yes, Mark, now it’s dry, you don’t have to keep your hands up all night.
It was cold on Halloween. At 4:30 p.m., I was freezing my butt off in front of Rideau Hall—home to the Governor General—waiting for Mark and Feng. I had read on Twitter that the grounds of Rideau Hall would be transformed into a haunted Victorian cemetery and everyone was invited to enjoy the spooky experience. “I hope it’s worth it” I typed on my phone, chatting with a client who had just sent an assignment. “It’s bloody cold!” “What’s your costume?” she asked. “Myself, frozen,” I replied.
As I waited, I noticed photographers and TV crews going inside the park but I didn’t think much of it. This is Ottawa, top local news revolves around the weather and community events.
Mark and Feng arrived. The light was perfect and it wasn’t raining. Maybe it would be fun.
And then, ten minutes into playing tricks with zombies and werewolves, we noticed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family trick-or-treating as well. Ah, it explained the photographers!
This is Canada and this is Trudeau, so no SWAT teams around the head of the country, just a dude dressed as Clark Kent/Superman and his family. “Only in Canada,” I laughed, taking a picture of Mark playing with his sword with the Prime Minister just feet away.
After some fun at Rideau Hall, we headed to my in-laws’ suburb where people are really into Halloween. Fewer houses than usual were decorated but there were still several masterpieces with giant monsters, sounds and lights.
I think we have enough candies for a month or two.
Excellent!!! Mark looks like he’s having fun (Trudeau as well :-D)
I like how everything can be casual in Canada. I miss that!
“Casual” is the perfect word!
It is a nice idea of an outfit that Trudeau had. Whatever his flaws, he is very good at public relations.
Yep, he gets communication.
Love the photos, here we eat mini chocolate bars and watch “Halloween” movies (nothing too scary for me!) in the couple of weeks before the day. Since we don’t have kids and don’t want to go get drunk and party dressed as scary people it’s a bit of an anti climax for us 😉
Yeah, we never celebrated much without Mark. Do they have Halloween in Scotland? Just wondering if your guy grew up with this tradition. This is another thing, it’s hard to get into Halloween without kids AND without growing up with trick-or-treating (like us).
No they don’t really do anything either. And yes that’s where we were saying, it’s like Thanksgiving, it’s not really part of our culture so it’s not important to us. Not saying that we won’t one day start having turkey in October but TBH I don’t love it THAT much 😉
I’m on the same page. I do it now for Mark but before that, I really didn’t care much about Halloween. Like with Thanksgiving, good example. I don’t feel like I’m missing out if we don’t celebrate “properly”.
Whoaaa! The real Prime Minister showed up! I thought someone wore a prime-minister costume! It surprised me there weren’t many people around
Canada is fairly casual this way 🙂
OMG that’s awesome ! Glad you had fun!
A cool place to keep in mind for next year 😉
That’s unreal! So surreal to see your family with Trudeau right there in the background. Of course, coming from the U.S., I wonder how they secured him!
I love Halloween decorations but don’t get those really gory displays of chopped up body parts…
Security is pretty low key in Canada. I know how you feel, even in France, when a VIP walks around you can expect bodyguards and all. I’m happy to see that Canada is still very casual like this!
I’m used to the gory bits now but yeah, I was surprised too the first year I celebrated Halloween. Is it an Ottawa thing? Don’t you have fake blood and all in the US?