Yesterday was N day. N for Norway and it turned out to be quite a circus act in more than one way. The Eurovision Song Contest juice is also popular, but people are wondering where the water is… me, I am just happy that in two weeks I will never have to see a Russian hot dog again.
Admitted, I am one of those who love the Norwegian song and also have tipped it as a winner, but it was still weird to experience how everything was blown out of proportions today. The host of the press conferences, or moderator, as it is actually called wasn’t quite modest mentioning all through the day when the Norwegian press conference would be. None of the other press conferences have had so many people attending – and 10 minutes before it was over photographers were fighting to get first to the spot next to the podium where each participant is available for a three minutes photo shoot. Just as the photographers had moved over there Alexander gave a little performance from the podium which then of course resulted in the journalist running back – and afterwards basically falling over each other to get to the photo shoot – again! On top of that were fans moving in the same direction to get an autograph – or even just to be able to say that they touched Alexander Rybak’s shirt! Yes, it reminded more of a Take That concert 15 years ago than a press conference at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest by someone who is actually unknown to most.
In the middle of this whole circus I lost one of my two phones, a brand new one which I used for my Russian SIM card. I have tried calling it several times walking around all the places I possible could have lost it, but didn’t have any luck. It rings, but no one picks it up. Well that at least does give me some kind of comfort for maybe getting it back tomorrow. If someone had found it and decided to keep it wouldn’t they turn it off? I am crossing my fingers to get it back during Wednesday.
Day 3 was also the time for the first Danish rehearsal which I of course had been looking forward to, being Danish myself. Unfortunately it didn’t look good. I watched the first of three rehearsal rounds from the venue, but as there is no option of seeing how it would look on TV I went back to the press centre to watch the next two rounds there. My conclusion is that Denmark has quite some work ahead of them getting it right. The camera was misplaced and badly used several times and the background with green nature doesn’t quite match with the rocky leather outfit his band is wearing. Brinck himself has unfortunately also been styled to look like an exact copy of his songwriter Ronan Keating. He already has the problem that many thinks he sounds like him, I haven’t been a part of that choir though, but styling him to be an exact copy is not the way to go. I’ll be looking forward to see which changes they make to next rehearsal, but right now I am a bit worried.
In the press centre there is generally quite a good feeling these days, most of the problems in the beginning have been solved and everyone is able to do their job – except for the many sudden drops in the WI-FI connection. Even if it just for a few seconds each time it does give problems if it happens in the middle of a larger upload, but in general the internet connection is quite fine at the press centre. The connection at the hotel is however a totally different story: 64Kb’s and for a high price is exactly something I am use to!
In the press centre you have access to free juice which has been made in special Eurovision Song Contest bottles with this year’s logo on them! They comes in three different flavours; Tomato, Apple and Orange with the latter being the most popular one and therefore hardest to find. Quite a nice idea, but many are missing the free water which we are use to being available at every press centre. As it seems the Contest brought summer to Moscow cold water is quite popular, but for those planning to join us all later be prepared for paying for it. Also be prepared for that the food in the press centre really isn’t impressive. I am being told that the food in the cafeteria is quite ok, but way too overprized. I have as many other been using one of the little snack bars which is affordable, but not very good either. I will in particular advise everyone to stay away from the so-called Russian hot dog. They are approximately 5 cm long and are dough with a piece of sausage inside. I normally like such things, but am unable to eat this Russia version. It is simply way too fat for me. My best guess is that it contains 90% fat! I have also tried a ham and cheese sandwich, but despite being quite a ham eater I am only able to eat this one if I throw the ham slice away first. I have to be fair and say that I haven’t tried an awful lot yet, but so far I am certainly not impressed with the Russian cuisine.
