Title: Halloween Around the World: Trick-or-Treating at Embassy Row

Mariela Cruz-Suarez (SFS’28) is a Georgetown Storyteller from Los Angeles, California. She enjoys drawing, watching Rom-Coms, and cooking!

In DC, trick-or-treating can be done at an international level on Embassy Row. This Halloween, I had the opportunity to explore the embassies located on Massachusetts Avenue with my friend Serhii Li (SFS’28) to collect candy. While not every embassy provided candy from their respective culture, the experience was still filled with yummy treats, diplomats and fun costumes! 

The embassies typically open up for trick-or-treaters at 9 a.m. and continue until around 4 p.m.

Follow along as I take you through my day trick-or-treating on Embassy Row.

Georgetown students can easily reach Embassy Row by using the Dupont Circle Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle (GUTS) bus. Many students dressed in vibrant costumes, adding to the festive spirit! 

The first stop of the day was the Embassy of Portugal. 

Students lined up at the Embassy of Portugal, eagerly awaiting their turn to be let inside for some delicious candy!

As we left the embassy, I saw a fun surprise: Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde from Zootopia!

The next stop was the Embassy of Indonesia!

I was handed Milkita, a delicious Indonesian candy that had a soft, strawberry flavor. It was so delicious, I couldn’t help but smile after the first bite.

The highlight, was that we were actually allowed to explore inside the embassy. This was the only embassy where we could roam freely. I couldn’t help but be amazed by the intricate sculptures that lined the walls.

As we explored the next room, the focal point was impossible to miss: a set of grand, almost theatrical stairs. As I stood there taking it all in, I couldn’t help but feel like I had stepped into a castle.

A five-minute walk later, Serhii and I arrived at the Embassy of Paraguay. Although there was no line, we were still curious if they were giving out candy. We knocked on the door, and a posh man in a navy blue suit greeted us and informed us that the candy had already run out.  

It was a bit of a letdown, but I couldn’t help but be intrigued by his cool demeanor. Standing there in the calm of the embassy, I found myself wondering: Was he a diplomat? He had that poised, composed air that reminded me of Kate Wyler from The Diplomat on Netflix. I decided to ask, and he confirmed.

Since it was my first time meeting a diplomat, I knew I needed to capture the moment. “Would it be alright if I took a picture with you?” I asked. He agreed, and Serhii snapped the photo. We left the embassy all giddy, both of us buzzing from the surreal experience of meeting someone who represented an entire country.

Next, we made our way to the Embassy of Kenya, where students had already gathered. While waiting, I marveled at the vibrant colors of Kenya’s coat of arms displayed in front of the embassy. It felt surreal to be standing there, especially since just three days earlier, I had been struggling to memorize where Kenya was on the map of Africa for the Maps ID quiz. Now, here I was, right in front of the embassy, surrounded by people and symbols representing a country I had been actively studying. It was a moment that made all the hours of studying feel worth it! 

As we continued our walk, my attention was immediately drawn to the shiny diplomat cars parked along the curb in front of the Embassy of Cameroon. The sleek vehicles added made the embassy feel even more sophisticated. It wasn’t until I looked up that I noticed a large candy bowl placed in front of the door. This was a nice change from the other embassies, no long lines, just a casual “help yourself” setup.

When we arrived at the Embassy of Slovenia, what immediately caught my attention was its modern architecture, a striking contrast to the more traditional styles of the other embassies. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a stylish backdrop, perfect for trick-or-treaters to pose for photos. It felt almost like walking the red carpet. The embassy staff seemed genuinely happy to see visitors, and their warmth created a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

The final stop on our trick-or-treating adventure was the Embassy of Cyprus, and what a perfect ending it was! Not only did I receive a candy, but I was also gifted a lovely journal, complete with bookmarks and postcards inside. 

Each embassy stop felt like a mini trip to another country, and it left me feeling grateful for the opportunity to explore something far beyond my everyday life. This experience was a reminder for me to step outside the Georgetown bubble more often and take full advantage of what the city has to offer! There’s so much waiting to be discovered, and I hope you’ll make the most of it, too!