Vrijpoort
Establishing Nation
Vrijpoort Transcontinental Skyport
Commonwealth of Nedernesia
KLM flight 202 from the city state of Mompracem gracefully touched down on runway 12 left after a marathon trans-Implarian flight. The guests were to be pampered from the moment they left home to the moment they returned. The Nedernesian government was sparing no expense. Each member of the delegation from Mompracem had had a private luxury Eiffelandian car pick them up at home and bring them to the airport in Mompracem. Upon arrival they were able to skip the typical check-in, baggage and security queues thanks to dedicated staff from KLM Royal Nedernesian Airways who brought them to a special VIP section of the terminal. The Executive Class section of the 747 Gans was nearly completely taken up by the government and business delegation. In fact, the Nedernesian government had booked the remaining handful of Executive Class seats to ensure that the entire cabin would be reserved for the exclusive use of the guests.
Once landed and having taxied to its gate, guides escorted the delegation to the automated passport control gates. There were three lanes: Nedernesian Citizens, Pohjanmaan Citizens, Permanent Residents and Employment/Study Pass holders; Other nationalities; Diplomats and VIPs. They were brought to the latter and had their passports scanned and pictures and fingerprints taken. The glass gates then automatically opened and they were cleared.
This is where Mortimer ben David met them. 54, average build with a slight belly, curly grey hair with a dark blue kippah on top, he was to lead this working visit. Mortimer lead the Bureau of Trade and Commerce at Overseas Relations and Cooperation Nedernesia (the foreign ministry) and was used to touring delegations around the city, but never one so large. The delegation gathered in a jumbled semicircle around Mortimer in the main arrivals hall. Waterfalls, trees, plant covered walls and even the sound of birds chirping created a relaxed atmosphere. Ample sunlight came through the glass ceiling and a refreshing light breeze created by a sophisticated ventilation system made one feel as if they were outside on a fine spring day. This was all designed to reduce jet lag.
Mortimer gave a bow to the delegation - Nedernesia had long ago adopted Eastern customs of greeting such as bowing and the handshake was not typically used. 'Welcome to the Commonwealth of Nedernesia. I'm delighted to have you here as our guests and I look forward to working with all of you over the next week. Now I'm sure you are all tired from a very long flight. I believe it was nearly 18 hours long! Don't worry, we don't have any official items on the schedule for today. I have a group of aides who will be with us all week. They will be able to answer questions, provide advice on what to do and where to go during any free time, etc. For now I suggest we make our way into Vrijpoort to your hotel.'
Mortimer and the aides bowed as the delegation continued onwards and followed a guide who was leading them to the Skyport Express Terminal. Their baggage was being delivered directly to the hotel. Each guest was handed a small plastic pouch with some vital items, including a purple and yellow PuffinCard used for paying for public transport in the country. The express train would whisk the delegation from the skyport to the CBD in 19 minutes flat. Vrijpoort Transcontinental had recently moved at the end of 2019 to a manmade island to the southwest of the city in the harbour. While further out from the city than before, it now had ample space for additional runways and larger passenger and cargo terminals.
An entire carriage of the express train had been reserved for the 40-strong delegation. The glass platform screen doors protected passengers from falling onto the tracks and also allowed the station to be heated or cooled as needed. A cheerful chime began playing over the station intercom and a recorded voice of a women spoke in Nedernesian and then Engelsh, 'The Skyport Express direction CBD is now arriving. Please allow passengers to alight before boarding the train. Enjoy your journey.'
The door chime was next as the platform screen doors and train doors opened and a mixture of businessmen, tourists, airport workers and temporary migrants got off. The station officer in full uniform gave a deep bow and once the train was empty he spoke into the intercom from his portable microphone, 'CBD Express, please stand clear of the closing doors, thank you!'
The hum of the train's electric motor took over from the closing door chime and soon the train was racing through a tunnel in the direction of the city. Finally coming above ground, the train moved from the reclaimed island on to a massive suspension bridge. They raced past trucks, busses and cars at 140kmh over the glistening harbour. Container ships, oil tankers and bulk carriers were coming and going. Off in the distance the sea of skyscrapers could be seen glistening in the early morning sun. Mortimer muttered a quick prayer in thanks for the good weather. April was usually non-stop rain.
Some of the aides were already speaking to members of the delegation, answering questions about the train, bridge, terminal, land reclamation project, etc. Mortimer took the time to review some notes. Soon the train arrived at the CBD terminal underground again. It was steps away from the hotel. In fact, this hotel even had an entrance to the underground MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and Skyport Express directly attached to the lobby.
The Grand Occidental was Vrijpoort's top hotel. The lobby was spectacular with marble from Himyar, elaborate gold leaf crown moulding from Ertruria and Retalia, a Gallo-Germanian style café, international restaurant that the richest of the rich made a point to frequent when they came to Vrijpoort to handle their banking or shopping needs, even an in-house tailor - the Grand Occidental had it all.
Mortimer ben David addressed the group once more, 'I hope you enjoyed the quick train ride. This hotel has a long history in our country. If you'd like to hear more about it I'd be happy to talk over some coffee and tea. We have a full breakfast waiting for you all in the Diamond Room. It will be here until midday. Please go up to your rooms, refresh, unpack, call home, whatever you would like. I will be here speaking with the delegation leader to go over some final details of our week's agenda. Other than that you have the day to explore the city yourselves. We thought it would be better if you can all go out and about before the working visit begins. That way you can experience Vrijpoort just as any other visitor would, unguided, and you can come back tomorrow with your first round of questions and insights. Your welcome pack includes a local SIM card, city map, your PuffinCard for transport, a list of important phone numbers including my own and 10,000 Nedernesian Guilders in cash. That's a bit more than one thousand Euromarks. Just our little way of saying welcome!'
Commonwealth of Nedernesia
KLM flight 202 from the city state of Mompracem gracefully touched down on runway 12 left after a marathon trans-Implarian flight. The guests were to be pampered from the moment they left home to the moment they returned. The Nedernesian government was sparing no expense. Each member of the delegation from Mompracem had had a private luxury Eiffelandian car pick them up at home and bring them to the airport in Mompracem. Upon arrival they were able to skip the typical check-in, baggage and security queues thanks to dedicated staff from KLM Royal Nedernesian Airways who brought them to a special VIP section of the terminal. The Executive Class section of the 747 Gans was nearly completely taken up by the government and business delegation. In fact, the Nedernesian government had booked the remaining handful of Executive Class seats to ensure that the entire cabin would be reserved for the exclusive use of the guests.
Once landed and having taxied to its gate, guides escorted the delegation to the automated passport control gates. There were three lanes: Nedernesian Citizens, Pohjanmaan Citizens, Permanent Residents and Employment/Study Pass holders; Other nationalities; Diplomats and VIPs. They were brought to the latter and had their passports scanned and pictures and fingerprints taken. The glass gates then automatically opened and they were cleared.
This is where Mortimer ben David met them. 54, average build with a slight belly, curly grey hair with a dark blue kippah on top, he was to lead this working visit. Mortimer lead the Bureau of Trade and Commerce at Overseas Relations and Cooperation Nedernesia (the foreign ministry) and was used to touring delegations around the city, but never one so large. The delegation gathered in a jumbled semicircle around Mortimer in the main arrivals hall. Waterfalls, trees, plant covered walls and even the sound of birds chirping created a relaxed atmosphere. Ample sunlight came through the glass ceiling and a refreshing light breeze created by a sophisticated ventilation system made one feel as if they were outside on a fine spring day. This was all designed to reduce jet lag.
Mortimer gave a bow to the delegation - Nedernesia had long ago adopted Eastern customs of greeting such as bowing and the handshake was not typically used. 'Welcome to the Commonwealth of Nedernesia. I'm delighted to have you here as our guests and I look forward to working with all of you over the next week. Now I'm sure you are all tired from a very long flight. I believe it was nearly 18 hours long! Don't worry, we don't have any official items on the schedule for today. I have a group of aides who will be with us all week. They will be able to answer questions, provide advice on what to do and where to go during any free time, etc. For now I suggest we make our way into Vrijpoort to your hotel.'
Mortimer and the aides bowed as the delegation continued onwards and followed a guide who was leading them to the Skyport Express Terminal. Their baggage was being delivered directly to the hotel. Each guest was handed a small plastic pouch with some vital items, including a purple and yellow PuffinCard used for paying for public transport in the country. The express train would whisk the delegation from the skyport to the CBD in 19 minutes flat. Vrijpoort Transcontinental had recently moved at the end of 2019 to a manmade island to the southwest of the city in the harbour. While further out from the city than before, it now had ample space for additional runways and larger passenger and cargo terminals.
An entire carriage of the express train had been reserved for the 40-strong delegation. The glass platform screen doors protected passengers from falling onto the tracks and also allowed the station to be heated or cooled as needed. A cheerful chime began playing over the station intercom and a recorded voice of a women spoke in Nedernesian and then Engelsh, 'The Skyport Express direction CBD is now arriving. Please allow passengers to alight before boarding the train. Enjoy your journey.'
The door chime was next as the platform screen doors and train doors opened and a mixture of businessmen, tourists, airport workers and temporary migrants got off. The station officer in full uniform gave a deep bow and once the train was empty he spoke into the intercom from his portable microphone, 'CBD Express, please stand clear of the closing doors, thank you!'
The hum of the train's electric motor took over from the closing door chime and soon the train was racing through a tunnel in the direction of the city. Finally coming above ground, the train moved from the reclaimed island on to a massive suspension bridge. They raced past trucks, busses and cars at 140kmh over the glistening harbour. Container ships, oil tankers and bulk carriers were coming and going. Off in the distance the sea of skyscrapers could be seen glistening in the early morning sun. Mortimer muttered a quick prayer in thanks for the good weather. April was usually non-stop rain.
Some of the aides were already speaking to members of the delegation, answering questions about the train, bridge, terminal, land reclamation project, etc. Mortimer took the time to review some notes. Soon the train arrived at the CBD terminal underground again. It was steps away from the hotel. In fact, this hotel even had an entrance to the underground MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and Skyport Express directly attached to the lobby.
The Grand Occidental was Vrijpoort's top hotel. The lobby was spectacular with marble from Himyar, elaborate gold leaf crown moulding from Ertruria and Retalia, a Gallo-Germanian style café, international restaurant that the richest of the rich made a point to frequent when they came to Vrijpoort to handle their banking or shopping needs, even an in-house tailor - the Grand Occidental had it all.
Mortimer ben David addressed the group once more, 'I hope you enjoyed the quick train ride. This hotel has a long history in our country. If you'd like to hear more about it I'd be happy to talk over some coffee and tea. We have a full breakfast waiting for you all in the Diamond Room. It will be here until midday. Please go up to your rooms, refresh, unpack, call home, whatever you would like. I will be here speaking with the delegation leader to go over some final details of our week's agenda. Other than that you have the day to explore the city yourselves. We thought it would be better if you can all go out and about before the working visit begins. That way you can experience Vrijpoort just as any other visitor would, unguided, and you can come back tomorrow with your first round of questions and insights. Your welcome pack includes a local SIM card, city map, your PuffinCard for transport, a list of important phone numbers including my own and 10,000 Nedernesian Guilders in cash. That's a bit more than one thousand Euromarks. Just our little way of saying welcome!'
