A word before to explain people what the hell Neetpia is and why this happened. Neetpia is basically a group of Japanese fans who made the game
Age of Ethanols. By some coincidence (or more like fate) they were going on a Europe tour for 10 days and their first visit would be The Netherlands. I already had one of them on MSN as friend because I was helping them out testing. (I didn't take much pictures so yea, don't expect a lot :V)
So, yesterday they arrived at Schiphol airport after I was waiting for 40minutes at the gate. Plane landed at 15:20 but they weren't coming out. I made a sign with Ibuki Suika on it saying 'Neetpia' under it.
apologies for the horrible pasting, I later on cut it again and remade itFirst encounter was quite weird, they were pretty nervous and I was also kind of questioning myself how to make them feeling more comfortable. We planned on going to Amsterdam downtown so went to the ticketdesk and I helped them buying a 24 hour public transport ticket (cheapest and effective). Of course that card was only for transportation inside the the town. The railway is a separate company so we had to buy tickets as well. Unfortunate the vending machines allow only bank cards or CC but none of them had it. So I just bought them all three a one way ticket to Amsterdam. (I can travel for free because I got a student card). In Japan they use a card called 'Suica' which is similar system but more efficient and effective. Our country sucks currently orz.
Our first stop was the 'van Gogh' museum around 16:30 local time, where I gave them my presents: 'Stroopwafels in blik' It looks like this:
With delicious stroopwafels inside! Classical dutch souvenir, better than a windmill or clogs imo.They gave me Touhou 12 - Undefined Fantastic Object in return. I was surprised as I was ok with anything they would offer. I couldn't receive a better present. I was very grateful.
URAMESHIYA! Original UFO game. Charisma (ry
We strolled around in the 'van Gogh' museum which was for me a cultural experience as well. Funny, foreign people really cannot pronounce the Dutch 'G' or 'ch' sound. They asked me how to exactly make the sound and it was quite amusing to see them trying it hard. Towards the end of the museum (~19:30) trip they became very hungry and tired (their time zone was +8) so they suffered from the time zone changes. We went to a Dutch classic 'Pannekoeken huis' (pancake house). There is no such thing as Dutch special restaurant because nobody wants to eat that stuff :V So I asked them what they want to eat. Among fast food, pizza, pancake and other steak shops they chose for the pancake.
At the pancake restaurant just couple of meters from 'Leidsche Square' (popular entertainment area in Amsterdam, probably the best place to be. On the left side bottom: Me then clockwise, Masayuki, Kosuke and Shinpei.)During the dinner they showed me their latest work on the game of Age of Ethanols. And they added more teams (civilisations) to the game. The spriting work and everything was superb, I was amazed and really looked forward to seeing the game in the future. Of course I also had my laptop with me and showed them my Dance Contest danmakufu script. They laughed hard when I told them about my Ballerina boss.
After the dinner though something happened to Masayuki, he suddenly had an allergy attack. And we suspected it might be the food. That kind of made me worry a lot because it is never a good thing to have such attacks. After he recovered a bit they requested they want to go to their Hotel as they were tired as hell and Masayuki was having a hard time. So around 21:30 we were back at Amsterdam Central Station and picked up their luggage which we dropped inside a few lockers. After I guided them to a secure and official Taxi point I told the cab driver to bring them to their destination address. They were extremely grateful for me guiding them. Even they could speak English till a certain extend, it was impossible for them to do this fast an efficient. I did the best I could by giving them at least a good time for Friday. Originally I planned on staying another day with them (which was today) but I couldn't find a sleeping place (planned on staying at my cousin in Amsterdam, but he was not at home till midnight). And another Dutch friend I phoned way too late so he had no time to prepare me a spot. So we had to part our ways as I waved them goodbye.
I went to catch my train home. Getting home was a pain, because someone committed suicide at one stop ahead and the train delayed and took a whole detour. I left Amsterdam technically at 21:58 and came back home at 0:10 :V
All in all it was a very funny and strange meeting. I mean, how the hell do you actually meet people who just happen to see your movie on youtube and then contacts you all the way to IRC. It is strange and still puzzles me till this day. I guess Remilia Scarlet manipulated my fate. I hope Masayuki will be all right, I am going to try and phone them in 30minutes.
Shinpei already told me to visit Comiket 78, but that is going to be hard because my University life doesn't allow me that much spare time. Because if I go to Japan, I want to visit the country for two weeks.
-Helepolis