Stephen came in Belgium on Tuesday, the 27th of June 2000 and I finally met him!Here is the story in details (cope with me ;o)
We arrived, with another fan, at 10am in Oostende (Belgium), the place near the sea where the TV show was recorded. We waited for the arrival of the other fans who had more informations than we did. Finally, I decided to wait near the stage as it was the only way Steo would get on the stage and I didn't move even when the others decided to go walk on the beach!
Finally, around 1.30pm, one of my mate came close to me and whispered : "Come with me : Stephen is wandering in the street with Eloy"..... AAAAAARGH. We ran to the street and... he was there, side by side with Eloy. He was wearing sunglasses, some khakis trousers and t-shirt. The t-shirt had lots of holes... kinda like a grunge look. Funny! Eloy... I have to say I was so surprised! I never liked him on pictures but damn, he is SO cute. And really kind too.
So, they went inside a restaurant and we waited outside. They went out a while later, to walk to a place where the artists were interviewed and things. So, we walked with him (and his bodyguards of couuuurse :o( ) I was still completely in shock! lol
After that, he climbed in a car with Eloy (and he smiled at me through the window... I was on cloud number 9!) and we managed to follow the car by running behind... erm... We knew he was giving an interview in a place called The Yacht Club. We finally found it and we were only about 10 fans there, waiting near the car. So, when he finished the interview, he signed our stuff and took a pic or two. Aaaaaargh, why haven't I asked for a piccie with me????? *eternal regrets* He was absolutely lovely. I gave him the drawing (click here to see it) I made for him and he thanked me...bless...
The following hours consisted in following him (and the bodyguards and Eloy) from the hotel (where Steve and Eloy were from time to time waving at us from the window of the second floor), to the "artists place" and waiting hours under the sun (God! I have horrible sunburns!!) I have to say Eloy was soooooo nice to the fans. He took tonz of pictures, waved, smiled... Stephen didn't do lots of rehearsals. One moment was quite funny 'cause the hotel was just in front of the stage and they began to play "New Beginning". Stephen appeared at the window wondering what was happening! lol So, he finally did one rehearsal for New Beginning and that was SO COOL. He made plenty of dance moves and he was really great.
The time between the rehearsal and the show had been occupied the same way than before : running behind him and waiting for him... :o}
Finally, he sang New Beginning two times and at the end of the last one, he climbed into Eloy's Audi and they flew away.... I said Good Bye and there.... already over! I still can't believe I finally managed to meet him in flesh and bone....