A short comparison of the months leading up to October 31st in two of my favorite places on the planet:
July in USA: Halloween decorations begin to appear in stores, prepare yourselves.
July in Paris: Paris Plages and glasses of rosé are enjoyed by all.
August in USA: Halloween decorations begin to take over stores, pumpkin spice countdown is on, what are you going to be for Halloween?!?!
August in Paris: Parisians leave for month long holiday, tourists arrive.
September in USA: Pumpkin spice everything is everywhere, there is no escape and it doesn’t matter that it’s still 75 and sunny out, CONSUME THE PUMPKIN SPICE!
September in Paris: Parisians are back, favorite bakeries open for business again and all is right with the world.
October in USA: Halloween items on discount, winter themed decorations appear (prepare for peppermint!) and DID YOU KNOW THERE ARE ONLY 10 WEEKENDS UNTIL CHRISTMAS???
October in Paris: Signs of fall are peppered lightly into normal life with perhaps a small display at the local bakery.
Trying to muster up the Halloween spirit in Paris is a bit difficult. Perhaps not the spirit so much as the decorations, seasonal food and other accoutrements that we’re used to seeing come August back in the States. Cinnamon pumpkin double latte spice candles are replaced by absolutely nothing. That works well until just about the second week of October when my spidey senses kick in and I feel the need to be festive.
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