When a basketball player from Kerala visited the US during Halloween

The festival of scary costumes, trick-or-treating, pumpkin lanterns, and creepy-looking foods will be back in a month. The festival, celebrated every year on October 31 across the world, is known to transform the United States into a carnival of horror galleries, whimsical displays, fake cobwebs, animatronic skeleton shows and more. Former international basketball player and retired Commandant of Kerala Police V V Harilal recounts one of his trips to the US around the Halloween season, and how it was quite a memorable affair.

"It was my second journey to the USA, and this time too, I was blessed with a treasure trove of unforgettable memories," says Harilal. Recounting his days there, he says that across the landscape, there was a distinct chill in the air as winter prepared to make its grand entrance. The brilliant reds and yellows of autumn had begun to carpet the ground, the harvest season had wrapped up, and nature was settling into a quiet, peaceful slumber. "Yet, the quiet countryside remained delightfully alive, with herds of deer roaming freely along the roadsides—a truly mesmerising sight that had accompanied us throughout this journey," he says.

The magic and mystery of Halloween
While Christians worldwide observe All Saints' Day on November 1, the eve of October 31 transforms into the spectacle we know as Halloween, says Harilal. Rooted in ancient beliefs that the spirits of the departed return to earth on this night, the festival’s name literally translates to the evening of all saints. In the suburbs of America, preparation starts nearly a month in advance. Front yards are dramatically made over with elaborate displays of spiderwebs, bats, pumpkins, and eerie, life-sized skeletons that look frighteningly real.

On the evening of October 31, neighbourhoods come alive with the tradition of trick-or-treating. Children and adults alike don creative, spooky costumes, going door-to-door with bags to collect candy. "In our community, the excitement began a week earlier at my grandchild’s school. My daughter, Athira, joined in on the fun, dressing up alongside her little one. When I playfully questioned her about where she was heading in such an eccentric getup, she laughed, told me to come along, and dragged me right into the festive madness," he remembers.

Scenic Cincinnati and the historic Roebling Bridge
Harilal says his family's travels then took them to the iconic John A Roebling Suspension Bridge. Built in 1867, this architectural marvel spans the Ohio River, connecting the states of Ohio and Kentucky. "We were joined on this excursion by our warm-hearted relatives, Mini and Jan, who had come to visit us all the way from Texas. Our destination was the scenic Eden Park, perched high above Cincinnati," he says.

From the vantage point of Eden Park, the panoramic views were spectacular, says Harilal. "We stood watching the steady flow of the Ohio River, the towering skyscrapers of two states, and a busy stream of boats cruising along the water. The ground beneath our feet was a mosaic of fallen, multi-coloured autumn leaves. It was the perfect backdrop for a young couple who were there for a wedding photoshoot. Watching the bridesmaids in elegant black dresses carefully holding up the bride’s long white train, amidst giggles and cheers, was a heartwarming sight. As I stood there admiring the scene, my own life partner playfully grabbed my hand, saying, 'Come along, let's move ahead!' and steered me away," he says.

To cap off the beautiful afternoon, the team decided to try something different and headed to an Ethiopian restaurant nearby. Enjoying a spread of unfamiliar yet delicious flavours was a delightful culinary adventure, remembers Harilal. Afterwards, they walked down to the riverside park nestled under the Roebling Bridge. Walking along the historic 350-metre-long pedestrian pathway of the suspension bridge, suspended between two states, was a uniquely nostalgic experience, he says.

Ticking off a bucket-list NBA experience in Indianapolis
On November 3, the family took a two-hour drive to Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana. The goal was to fulfil a lifelong dream of mine: watching a live National Basketball Association (NBA) game. "We secured seats at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse to watch the Indiana Pacers face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers," says Harilal.

The energy inside the stadium was electric. The modern amenities, the deafening cheers of the crowd, and the dazzling performances during the half-time show felt like stepping into an entirely different world. "Because my wife is a former international basketball player, and both Athira and her husband, Pratheesh, are avid basketball fans, the tactical nuances of the game kept us thoroughly engrossed, while my grandchild was completely mesmerised by the spectacular halftime entertainment," he says.

As Harilal's family walked out of the massive five-storey arena after three hours of high-octane sports and entertainment, it apparently felt less like a basketball game and more like a massive carnival. "The experience instantly transported me back in time to my own playing days. I found myself thinking of Kochukuttan Chettan, who first introduced me to the game of basketball, as well as my late mentors, PC Thomas Sir and RJ Shenoy Sir, and Bevin Chacko Sir, who is now enjoying his well-deserved retirement. It was a perfect, nostalgic end to an unforgettable Midwestern adventure," Harilal says, signing off.