a little cameo

Today is Halloween, which is celebrated here in Colombia.

When mi novio and I went to buy lollies there were lots of little kids fully decked out in costumes looking cute, but my experience at giving out the lollies was far scarier than 3 year olds in bee costumes.

I was excited when the first kids came our front gate and so went out into the street to give them some lollies. Suddenly I was swamped by a group of about 20 kids, mostly obnoxious boys not wearing any costume or mask. They all put their hands out at me and shouted at me to give them lollies. I was overwhelmed, and told them there was enough for everyone but they had to wait their turn.

This seemed to rile them and they pushed and shoved and bullied and shouted and grabbed. I had my camera in one hand because I wanted to take a photo of the costumed kids but as the situation got more and more out of control, I called to mi novio and handed him the camera over the fence. As I did this, one kid started tickling my decidedly sweaty armpit to make me drop something and others tried to snatch the bag of lollies.

Feeling beaten, I retreated back behind the fence and started castigating the kids about being so disgustingly rude and disrespectful. It seems my Spanish is up to the task as they words flowed from me. Still they yelled and bullied with their hands between the rails and I had to give them lollies to go away.

That was not how I imagined my Halloween experience. I had envisioned small groups of children who I could brainwash with environmental messages “Don’t throw the wrapper on the ground, put it in the bin”, but instead it got out of hand beyond all control and I was beaten by a group of kids.

Rubbing salt into my wounds, the kids then went to the house across the street (which is less than 2m from our gate) and they lined up like angels to get a lolly. It seems I have a lot to learn about kids and just have to thank my lucky stars that mi novio‘s son respects me and what I say.

Anyways, my evening was made a little better when the neighbour’s tiny kids came to trick or treat. They were so cute and now I want a little smurf!