28th October
Tonight was the date that our neighbourhood was given to come round trick or treating. The kids are given between 6-8pm to go round the houses. Because we are on the end I think it was less likely they would venture up to ring our doorbell so we sat outside with our sweets or 'candy' so the kiddies could see we were in and giving out stuff. We go quite a few in the first hour or so then it fizzled out. The kids don't sing songs here though..they just come up say 'Happy Halloween!' and then help themselves to some sweets. They even sometimes were cheeky enough to ask 'How many can I take?' which I was shocked at! I remember I always sang a song before getting anything and even my mum would get the kids that came to our door to sing something before she gave out sweets. Our neighbour from across the street was also sitting outside her house dressed as Jack Sparrow. She had 3 young kids who were out going round the houses already. She came across to us and said we were to come over and have some wine, cheese & crackers! So we did and sat outside her house for a bit and met some more neighbours. This street isn't student at all - it's really all families so was nice that they thought to invite us over and that they don't just think we are rowdy students! And we haven't had any parties or that so there has been no need for them to think that anyways!
Were meant to be going out later that night to an over 18s bar dressed up but when we drove past looking for parking at about 11pm looked inside and looked quite dead plus the people hanging around outside weren't dressed at all. And I had white paint all over my face so I would have really stuck out. So we just went home which I know I wasn't too gutted about since knew was going out friday and most importantly saturday night.
29th October
At night I had been invited to a business frat party that all the exchange students got invited to. Went out with Hayley, Sam and Jess. It was where all the student off campus housing is so there were parties going on here there and everywhere with people walking down the streets in their costumes. People were definitely more in the mood to dress up this night that's for sure. The party we went to was sooo full it was hard to move. We stayed a short while and went to another party in the next street as someone knew someone there. Again it wasn't that big a night as we were home by 1am but it was still good to go out and see what the atmosphere was like and see everyones costumes.
30th October
I knew we were setting off at 10am to head to Ohio University so suggested that we go for breakfast before we hit the road. I had been dying to try an all american breakfast! So Sam, Hayley & I went to Bob Evans where I just fell in love...Couldn't decide between a savoury or sweet breakfast but then saw a combo on the menu - score! Had sausages, eggs (sunny side up as they call them, when the waiter asked how I wanted my eggs done I couldn't think of the word to describe those eggs so had to point at the picture of them!), potato fries and 2 hotcakes which are basically america style pancakes. Those were drenched in maple syrup :) And they keep coming round to top up your coffee real american cafe style so by the time we left I was on a real caffeine buzz! Had to take away the rest of the pancakes in a box was too much to eat, and that meal kept my stomach satisfied til dinner.
Me & Sam plus Sam's sisters friend Marissa drove the hour and so ride to Athens - the southeast of Ohio I think - where Ohio University was (OU). It's apparently one of the top party universities in the country and they are known for their Halloween parties so a lot of people were heading there just for the weekend as we saw others going round carrying sleeping bags and the likes! Sam's sister Caitlin goes there so we met up with her at her dorms and then went to watch their football match because with a student card you can get in for free :) as it's not the same scale as OSU games because their team is not as good.
We had to dump our stuff all over the town because we were planning to stay at one of Sam's friends flats so dropped off our blankets and pillows there then had to find somewhere to park as it was really impossible without getting towed which we saw happen a few times! Got somewhere which was a 15 min walk away so wasn't too bad. Got ready at the dorms then shotted some vodka (uggghh not done that for a long time!) but we had to do it on the down low and be quiet in the room because since it's a freshman dorm alcohol is banned so would be in serious trouble if got caught and there's signs up saying its forbidden and stuff.
Then went along to another of Sam's high school friends apartment for some mulled whisky & cider they were offering. Then we headed down to the main street where the street party was taking place that had stages built up for it and all sorts! I spotted some guys wearing braveheart style costume with kilts but they were too quick to try get a picture! Luckily, yet another of Sam's high school friends, had a flat that was right above this street and was having a party. It was great - they had a balcony that looked down onto the street so we could still see what was going on and hear the music but could keep warm by going inside too :) Sam's friend made us Margaritas and when we felt we could do with getting more drunk (sorry mum & dad if reading this :P) we went in on a pack of beer. Places have licence to sell alcohol til 1am here if they want to stay open til then.
The party started to empty about 3am and it didn't look like many were crashing over apart from the guys who lived there so me & Sam just crashed on the sofas there instead of going to where we had planned to sleep. In the morning it was like a walk of shame to the car in our costumes from night before but luckily everyone was still asleep as the streets were dead (and very messy from the night before!). Rounded up all our stuff and hit the road before all the traffic began to leave OU. On ride back the cops were out on force - checking for speeders and they were even doing random spot checks of drivers on the road out of OU. Obviously they were expecting a lot of drivers to still be over the limit from the previous night. They don't have speed cameras here but they do have the 'Highway Patrol' sitting in the middle of the freeways (although they aren't very sly) and in about space of 2 miles we saw 3 cars being pulled over so they really do their job here. Headed straight for a Chipotle once back in Columbus and munched it infront of the TV before we did anything else once we were back!
Definitely can say I experienced the American Halloween that's for sure! Was a great weekend all in all :)
