So my thoughts on Salem. Where do I begin? There was nothing that I didn’t love about Salem. I felt totally comfortable there and I had kindred spirts all around me. No one thought that what I do with Halloween’s Unseen is sick and crazy, they think it is brilliant. I was welcomed. I didn’t have to hide Halloween’s Unseen because of people that would not understand. I was encouraged. I could wear my witch hat any day, any time I wished. Salem is very proud of it’s witchy past and the poor, innocent people who were so wrongly accused and executed as witches will never be forgotten. Compassion for the lost ones is worldwide because of Salem. And on a more personal level, Salem is very enchanting and has an atmosphere and it physically wraps itself around you. Salem literally stays with you and it even stayed with me for a few days after I returned home. It’s very hard to explain but I did not want to leave. I was already missing being in Salem as soon as I got home. I am already planning another trip at some point next year. I also didn’t get to see or tour everything in Salem and Boston so I will be going back for that as well. To wrap it up, a person who is really into anything paranormal can not only make a living in Salem but feel completely comfortable while you’re doing it! Hmmmmm, food for thought!
Love to each of you!
Janet
Halloween’s Unseen (and proud of it)!
When I arrived, I called as instructed and said I was ready to be picked up. The guy on the other end was frantic, spouting out instructions and directions to me – someone who didn’t have a clue where in the hell she was – on foot, lost and from Texas for crap’s sake! I gathered that I was supposed to meet the Van at a specific intersection somewhere in Salem. Hmmmm. I began walking and found a policeman directing traffic. I said, “See, look, I’m from Texas and I’m pissed and lost and I need to get to such and such intersection.” The policeman was nice and helpfully – eagerly even – pointed the way …. down a dark, spooky street to my left. 
At least I walked the right direction! I look down the street and it’s all houses – old houses – on both sides with some having people lurking around the porches. I’m not scared of ghosts but I am scared of people so I am not liking the idea of walking down there for a couple of blocks. Anyway, here I go, a very perturbed, somewhat overweight witch still dressed up in all her witchy best about to walk down a street that at this moment looks like it’s probably the scariest street in Salem. Oh, I’m so far from home – a totally solitary witch at this point. So I walk …. down the very middle of the street. What a sight I must have been! I’m peering at the houses as I go making sure no ghosts or zombies come running out. I am in Salem after all and Halloween has just ended. So I walk and I finally reach the intersection. There are no street signs. Now I’m not going to go into this here but why oh why are there never street signs when your life absolutely depends on it?! I do see two groups of people standing on either side of the street. I assume these are my people and choose the group that has the nicest looking lady standing there. So we wait, and wait under this huge tree. The lady and I speak. She has about as much information as I do but at least she’s a human presence for me. We wait and then it begins to rain. Salem has great weather. It happens when you least expect it. And there goes a cold wind. I have been in Salem long enough to know that you don’t take cold breezes lightly. So me and my beautiful hat are getting soaked and it will only be a matter of time before we are freezing as well. And I have no where to go, no way to get there. I see in front of me two guys from my hotel jumping into a cab and driving away. They could have offered to share that cab …. and fare …. with some of us. I would have. I’m from Texas. We wait, we get wet, we get nervous. And then alas, two Vans show up! We are elated and run and lurch to said heaven-sent Vans …. and neither are going to our hotel. The hell you say! Our group that had gathered were in no mood to hear this and quite literally jacked up both drivers and piled our asses into the Vans whether they liked it or not. “Now ***pointing gun at driver’s head*** if you know what’s good for you, you’ll get your skinny ass moving to Beverly!” And he did! We were packed in like sardines, soaking wet and stinking but we managed a civilized conversation during our ride.
I felt bad for him because he really put a lot of effort into his costume. I knew exactly who he was even without the scissor hands. That made him happy that at least people knew who he was trying to portray. As I’m sure you are wondering why, the people in Salem take their Halloween costumes very seriously and besides that the Ball was really expensive! The band was excellent and they rocked the night away. And one more thing about the Ball, I don’t know how many of you have attended a Halloween Ball completely alone but it is really not a good experience. When I took a moment to look around at all the people, I felt a bit fearful at being among all these strangers. I didn’t know a soul and each face somehow looked scary to me. Oh well, it was Halloween after all and everyone gets a scare, right? Right!
I was also able to get a few pictures of the Witch Memorial and the “The Burying Point” cemetery which I’ve included below. The Cemetery Tour was so up my alley and the things I learned were awesome. Our Tour Guide loves Salem and is a true historian of Salem’s troubled past. I will have much more on the cemetery and the Salem Witch Trials so be looking for it in this Blog. And too, I don’t know if y’all remember me telling you but the movie “Hocus Pocus” is one of my very favorites and it was filmed in Salem. I found many of the locations and there’s “Allison’s House.” Cool? Yup!
My Salem Happenings 