BajaNomad

Trick or Treat

DianaT - 10-14-2007 at 08:23 AM

When we lived in Calexico, many children from Mexicali went out trick or treating on Halloween.

Does it happen in Baja Sur or was it just because of the border connection. Many people in Mexicali also celebrated the US Thanksgiving.

Thanks
Diane

DENNIS - 10-14-2007 at 08:33 AM

"Tricky Tricky Halloween".......That's what they say in this area instead of "Trick Or Treat." The parents seem to have the larger bag for loot. They have fun as well.

shari - 10-14-2007 at 08:36 AM

We have never had trick or treaters here and I know the church groups really look down on this activity and think halloween is satanic but sometimes there are a few kids who dress up but it's rare...what they do is throw eggs at cars and houses and do travesuras...tricks kind of. Zoe and I plan on spending another halloween in the ghost town of san roque...we are making it an anual event now...any takers??

DianaT - 10-14-2007 at 08:43 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
We have never had trick or treaters here and I know the church groups really look down on this activity and think halloween is satanic but sometimes there are a few kids who dress up but it's rare...what they do is throw eggs at cars and houses and do travesuras...tricks kind of. Zoe and I plan on spending another halloween in the ghost town of san roque...we are making it an anual event now...any takers??


Not sure I could stay up late enough to see the ghosts in the old church---

Iflyfish - 10-14-2007 at 09:56 AM

Don't know about Baja but The Day of the Dead is the traditional holiday that commemorates dead ancestors in most of Mexico. The tradition is to decorate the graves and to spend the night in the cemetary.

Iflyfish

Tricky Treats

MrBillM - 10-14-2007 at 10:05 AM

I can only speak from personal experience in the San Felipe area, but the U.S. Halloween is BIG here. Why wouldn't you adopt a holiday where people gave you goodies just to show up ?

In the last ten years, it has gotten bigger and bigger. We have truckloads of kids come in from other camps. Two years ago, I had 20 bags of candy purchased en El Norte, and I ran out.
The bigger kids tend to grab Handfuls. A few years back when I ran out too soon, I started saving all of my Mex coins to put in little bags for treats as a last resort. I've got about 80-90 dollars worth, so I should be OK.

backninedan - 10-14-2007 at 10:39 AM

Lots of trick or treaters here, but they mainly hit the shops. It seems to get more popular every year.

DENNIS - 10-14-2007 at 10:48 AM

Ifly......
You're right. Day of the Dead is their day. There has been a lot of noise about US culture invading Mexico's and the Halloween issue is right up front. Their right, in a way although what kid in the states knows the history of Halloween and who would care? It's a day for kids, not Christian historians.

David K - 10-14-2007 at 10:56 AM

Instead of letting them grab 'handfulls', you put the candy in their bag!

Natalie Ann - 10-14-2007 at 10:59 AM

I have spent several Halloweens and Days of the Dead in El Centenario, where always we've had abundant trick or treaters - more young ones than teens. Interestingly, these same little tykes return later along with their older brothers and sisters to egg the house or some other small prank, just as Shari said. It's all in fun, but don't allow that egg to dry too long or it will alter the color of whatever surface it hit.

docsmom - 10-14-2007 at 11:08 AM

I first experinced Holloween in Mexico 20 years ago in CSL. The local kids would come downtown into the tourist area and chant "We Wanna Halloween". We'd sit at an outdoor restaurant and watch the truck-beds full of kids unload. It was great fun to have treats for them. First time it was Pesos 'cuz they took us by surprise and we didn't have any sugar treats. In more recent years I haven't been to Cabo for Halloween but my friends report that the kids now say "Trick or Treat" and they're all about the candy. I have experienced Rosarito at Halloween in more recent years and it's a huge deal! The kids trick or treat at all the businesses on the main drag and they're in full costume. We just stand on a corner smiling and laughing and give out tons of candy. It's a true experinece and one that I love. The excitement of the kids in Mexico is much higher than what I experience here at home. Too bad I'll be here in Las Vegas this year. I'd way rather be celebrating in Baja after attending Serina's birthday party in BA!

DianaT - 10-14-2007 at 11:33 AM

Throwing eggs on Halloween? Boy, does that bring back memories of old---warring teenagers all piled in the back of pick-up trucks. It wasn't illegal to ride in the back in those days. :tumble:

Love the Day of the Dead in Mexico. I think it is such a great tradition.

When I was teaching high school in Calexico, my students thought that Halloween and the Day of the Dead should be school holidays. In fact, they thought the school should close for EVERY Mexican holiday since almost all of them had close connections with Mexicali. :rolleyes:

So, I guess in Asuncion, we need to watch for eggs and ghosts in San Roque, and not worry about the candy.

Diane

Sharksbaja - 10-14-2007 at 12:25 PM

Funny isn't it, you see more "Tricky tricky" in Baja than you do here in rural Oregon. Not that there ain't traffic out there , just a helluvas lot more paranoia. Yep last year on the river road there were plenty of kids and some adults too. Costumes not mandatory however. I was lucky, I always carry an ample supply of Tootsie Pops.

Halloween up North

MrBillM - 10-14-2007 at 04:43 PM

It is becoming less and less in the U.S., or at least, out where we live. I haven't experienced it for awhile.

Last year, my Wife's son was going to be at the house so I bought a bunch of candy before we headed South for him to give out to anyone who showed up. When I asked him how many had, the answer was NONE.

DENNIS - 10-14-2007 at 04:54 PM

It seems that organised events have gained in popularity. Haunted houses, etc. Every year, there seems to be stories of mayhem on the trick or treat trail. Razor blades, poison. Jeezo....What a world.

Trick

tehag - 10-14-2007 at 06:12 PM

In Loreto they mostly chant, "Queremos Halloween." They used to just chant, "hah low ween." Costumes get more elaborate every year. Used to be just a bunch of makeup and a few sheets, but the last couple of years there have been lots of Target/Wallmart type outfits. Bigger kids later mostly. Some pranks, eggs, etc. The church got pretty serious about curbing it and going more traditional a few years back, but it's not showing any signs of going away.

Bob H - 10-14-2007 at 06:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter
Quote:
Originally posted by shari
We have never had trick or treaters here and I know the church groups really look down on this activity and think halloween is satanic but sometimes there are a few kids who dress up but it's rare...what they do is throw eggs at cars and houses and do travesuras...tricks kind of. Zoe and I plan on spending another halloween in the ghost town of san roque...we are making it an anual event now...any takers??


Not sure I could stay up late enough to see the ghosts in the old church---


And, here it is!!!! The old church ruins in San Roque.... Bob H





[Edited on 10-15-2007 by Bob H]