Halloween in Holland – Ghostbusters Save Amsterdam

October 1984:

One day at school, when the teacher asked us what we wanted to be when we all grew up, most of the other boys in my class reply that they wanted to be a brave policeman or a daring fireman. All the girls answered that they dreamed of becoming a graceful ballerina or a beautiful princes.

I, on the other hand, had a very different reply. I did not want to spend my adult life catching naughty people or rescuing cats from trees. I had no desire to dance on tippy toes in a tutu or rule over a fairytale land in a pretty dress either, which was a big relief for my parents. I had other ideas about my future career choice. A few months earlier I had seen what would become my favourite movie of all time and it had shown me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wanted to be a Ghostbuster.

I was crushed when my teachers told me I would not be able to become a Ghostbuster.

October 2007:

However, this Halloween I finally proved my teachers wrong and for filled my childhood dream. I became a Ghostbuster.

I had made the costume suggestion to my friends Amanda and Dave just a few days before the big Halloween party at Boom Chicago in Amsterdam. Between the three of us we managed to make the costumes and props in just three days. On the night of the party both Dave and myself stepped out on to the streets of Amsterdam with our proton packs and particle throwers, ready to do some serious paranormal investigation and elimination.

The reaction to our costumes was insane. Strangers were cheering where ever we went. Random people were stopping us in the street and asking to have there photo taken with us. Passers-by were singing the theme song. Drivers were honking their horns and one or two girls pinched my ass.

We were even getting more attention then Amada who was dressed in a bikini (while being eaten by a shark). As the night went on I started to feel strangely like a celebrity and wondered if I could get away with wearing the costume all year long. However, I soon realized that my boss might not appreciate it when I throw a child like temper tantrum because I am not allowed to wear it in a business meeting.

We had a great time at the party and met; Dr Evil, Optimus Prime, a smurf, a human glitter ball, Ming the Merciless, Chucky, Dr Strangelove and many other crazy characters, a few of which we had to bust. It was nothing personal, it was just business. Since the clocks went back on the night of the party we also got an extra hour of drunken dancing in before we had to go home.

A few nights later at the Paradiso Halloween party we won possibly the most random prize ever given in the history of costume prize giving. I am now the owner of four Dutch Country and Western records. Maybe I’ll listen to them while I’m out busting ghosts and giant walking marshmallows next year.

Who ya gonna call?
(Click here for last years Halloween Story)

Made with more sticky back plastic then seen on an episode of Blue Peter
(Dave on the left, Me on the right)