New York

As I came into New York on the bus on Friday I was amazed to see so many children out in the streets, all fully dressed up for halloween, carrying pumpkin-shaped bags for candy, and often accompanied by parents in fancy dress. Shops more than homes seemed to be the best target, perhaps because so many people live in apartment blocks.

But halloween in New York doesn't end there - there is also a parade and a liberal amount of fancy dress partying by adults. The subway is packed and everyone is dressed up in some way.

The parade was a mixture of floats and marching music, similar to Notting Hill carnival, but at night and with more gratuitous nudity, and random people who have dressed up and exhibit themselves along the parade route, where thousands of people stand waiting to take pictures of the best costumes. My photos didn't come out at all well, but these from 2007 will give you some idea...

After the parade we went to a party in the west village at the house of Amy Winehouse's bassist. I wondered what we could learn about 2008 from the costumes on display. A lot were timeless (witches, football players, the sunmaid maiden etc), but others seemed more "dated". A lot of references to economic downturn - a downward arrow inscribed with "the economy"; a haggard old woman covered in dollar bills and gold coins. And a large number of Sarah Palins, wandering around winking and miming shooting large mammals.

She's been on the receiving end of quite a bit of mischief this week (as every week!) - Alex reminded me that Palin puts the "alas" into "Alaska". Carolyn sent me this flowchart: understanding how SP decides what to say to a difficult question. And Maggie sent me this article, showing that Brits are turning against her, including burning her effigy.

Only two days left and everyone is getting twitchy with nerves.