Page 28 October 2011 This month, Arcadians will celebrate Halloween with the traditional activities of costume parties, jack-o’-lantern carving and trick-or-treating. But have you ever wondered how people today celebrate Halloween in other countries around the world? South Korea Korea’s version of Halloween is called Chuseok and is celebrated in August. Families pay respect to their ancestors by visiting their graves and offering fruits, rice and other foods. In 2009, while I was teaching kindergarten in South Korea, I brought the traditions of Halloween for the fi rst time to the small town of Janghyun-ri, a mere 30 miles from the North Korean border. These townspeople had never before seen children dressed up in costumes parading through the streets shouting for candy. Shop owners came out to see what all the bustle was about, and customers peeked their heads out of windows and doors. Pedestrians stopped crossing the road, drivers slowed down and fruit trucks came to a halt. Halloween had arrived to this small Korean town, and I’m told it continues there today. England Years ago, children carved large beets to make “punkies,” which they carried through the streets while knocking on doors for money. Families placed turnip lanterns on gateposts to protect their homes from evil spirits roaming around on Halloween night. People also used to make Soul Cakes (small, round fruit cakes) to give out to those who went from door to door singing and saying prayers for the dead. It was believed that every cake eaten represented a soul being freed from Purgatory. Today, the tradition of trick-or-treating becomes more and more popular every year. The English dress up in costumes, host Halloween parties and carve pumpkins. Austria Not far from Vienna, the Austrian towns of Retz and Pulkau hold an annual pumpkin festival (Kürbisfest) and Halloween parade (Halloween-Umzug). Since the area is known for its annual pumpkin harvest, pumpkins naturally become the centerpiece of ein Fest fur die ganze Familie, a family festival. Additionally, some people leave bread, water and a lamp out when they go to bed, to welcome all dead souls back for the night. Czech Republic Czech Halloween is celebrated Nov. 2 and is called Commemoration of All the Departed. People decorate the graves of loved ones with fl owers and candles. At home, families place chairs around the fi replace for every living family member, as well as for every relative who has passed away. Travel Tips Continued from page 26

Susan Tibbets , Associate Broker, REALTOR® SFR Certi fi ed Of fi ce: 602.463.7000 E-mail: susan.tibbets@azmoves.com Web: www.ArcadiaHomes.com Susan Tibbets & Coldwell Banker ® are committed to providing the HIGHEST level of service in the sale of your property and representing your transaction with the utmost care, loyalty, honesty, integrity and discretion. We look forward to being Your Perfect Partner. ®