Hi guys, This year i was not as vigilant as I should have or could have been with updates on the Eurovision front. Right now I am sitting on a beach, sand in everywhere and more sunscreen than I'd like to admit. And after collecting some shells and enjoying the view I decided to at least give you some updates. So here we go. Arriving in Lisbon went smoothly and it was nice to be picked up by the volunteer coordinator. However, frankly speaking I could have just arrived as I had initially planned as the mandatory training was not that big of a deal anyways. This would have saved me 200 euros that I'd have rather spend on something nice in Lisbon. In the bright side, it was nice to spend some time with the international volunteers (well, 3 German 1 Dutch and a Belgian). The all you can eat restaurant we went to was extremely meat heavy, however, they only charged me the drinks. So that was nice. As there is a Portuguese law stating that volunteers are not allowed to work for more than 5h a day, the days were pretty easy going. Though I gotta say, I don't think I would like to be a commentator host again. It was nice to see how it works in the background and the accreditation gets you to a lot of places. Next time I think I'd like to be a delegation host again, or maybe working in the press or the production team. If there is a next time for me that is :) On the second day we meet Peter urban. My encounter with him wasn't the mot pleasant. He and one of the volunteer coordinator were recording something while I was discussing something with another coordinator when they ask me to shut up. At first it was fair enough, however, the recording coordinator later stepped up to me and advised me that I would do good in general to keep my mouth shut as my voice in too penetrating and annoying for the commentators to work. You can imagine how I felt and naturally I couldn't bring the same enthusiasm to the job anymore as I had before. And when we got home the next thing happened. I am staying at an Airbnb with two friends. Both took the bedrooms and I slept on the couch. That is until one of my friends (probably my most tidy, clean and accurate friend I have -maybe had, I am waiting for us to get home and him breaking off the friendship :D ) asked my to check out his bed because it was filled with bedbugs. Bedbugs of all stages and so many it was terrifying. Our landlord was quick to sort this but with Eurovision on, she had no place else for us to stay. With that we changed sleeping arrangements. So for the rest of the stay mr. clean slept on the couch and I slept in a double bed with the other friend. Unfortunately, this double bed was not free from bedbugs either, however, it was not as infested and there was no alternative anyways. So at this stage I have quite a few bedbug bites and sleeping hasn't been as relaxing as it should have been. That in combination with the parties at the euroclub I am not surprised that I am now sick :( Enough moaning, let me tell you about the semis. As predicted by the time we were at the live shows I loved almost all the songs-even San Marino. The first semi was earlier called the blood bath semi and for a good reason. The semi 1 was packed with bookies favorites and going in everyone know some countries would have to be eliminated that usually would easily make the cut. My personal favorite from the start (not to win, but just as a song) has been Albania. However, wth the overall reception of the song, I did not think they would qualify. So here I was in the live show dressed in Irish flags (because I always support the Irish) enjoying the show waiting for the results. And then Albania was announced as a qualifier and I was over the moon, so much so that I actually missed the country that followed. My friend next was like, it's Ireland! multiple times before it set in. And I was so in shock that both my countries qualified that I had to look at Jon ola sand if there had been a mistake but he looked happy as usual. You can imagine how I celebrated that night. Let's say I shouldn't be too surprised that I am now sick with my voice in pieces. Overall I am very happy with the results of the first semi. On Thursday the second semi was not supposed to be that difficult and yet it was interesting to see the results differed from the expectation by a good bit. Nobody in the arena where thinking that Serbia would go through, but I was hopeful. My friend wanted Slovenia to qualify and low and behold both countries made it. And more than that every country that we expected made it. And with that this years final was definitely one of the best we had in the past years... At least that is what we thought. As you know we did not manage to get tickets for the final live show but the jury show. This was okay as we had agreed to watch the show in the eurovillage until I was offered the chance to see the live show from the vip lounge. Yes, that is right. One of the volunteers won tickets and wanted to bring me along. But because at the time I did not want to leave my friend, who had no accreditation on his own I rejected. My friend did not mind at all to be left alone but he was also a bit of an excuse. Anyways, the guy wasn't too happy but for me it turned out for the best. Because I did get to see the final in the arena. And meet graham norton as well as pass by lordi. Interesting fact, it is amazing how you cannot hear on the telly how the audience is singing along. Best example is the UK. The arena went wild and at times you couldn't even hear surie. But I get it. The producers probably try to let the televoters built their own opinion rather than be influenced by the arena audience. Or they want the audience to hear the act rather than the screaming fans :) It's stupid really , I just walked by Michael at the airport on his way home. I was wearing my German shirt, but still in volunteer mode I did not ask for a picture. Meaning I missed the chance to get a picture with graham Norton, lordi, and Michael Schulte... On the bright side, as a thank you for our work in the commentators lounge, they coordinator organized a raffle and I got semi lucky. Why? I got the Russian promo bag...if anyone wants an "I won't break" polyester jumper let me know! however, in the bag was also Michael schultes promo cd as well as (I am so happy about it-you might already guess) the promo cd of mr bushpepa, Albania!! Now I am back to reality with a cold and post-ESC-depression and my next post will be about my failed fashion again ;)
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Kate Krausepennyless fashion designer working towards London Categories
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