Flaming Pianos and Bad Oysters

Last night was my third Eurovision - one of my favorite new "holidays" now that I live in Europe.

This year's Eurovision lacked the blatant shock value in many of the songs as previous years (such as post-apocalyptic operatic vampires or the facial hair frenzy), and also lacked some of the more rock-and-roll or fast paced dancing songs which I loved in previous years.  Rather, it focused more on the art of the ballad, appropriate, given the fact the Eurovision opened with a symphony orchestra (only in Vienna...)  But, for me, perhaps the most memorable part of the evening was the incredible stage that the host country Austria created - a stage that had the ability to incorporate amazing light effects into each of the performances, behind, on top of, and below the artists, making it a truly memorable night.

For the first time, my favorite performance took first place - a stunning performance by Sweden, which brought together simple projected two dimensional light effects with amazingly timed choreography.  It was really cool - and Europe loved it.  See for yourself.

But of course, no Eurovision is complete without some shock and awe, such as "the first straight kiss of the night" - flanked by two not so straight kisses during Lithuania's performance, and the singers from Austria, who calmly kept playing after his piano burst into flames (literally), eventually abandoning it as it becomes obvious that piano is beyond saving.

Watching the Eurovision on the BBC was also way more entertaining, given the dry sarcasm of the BBC announcer, who added his unique wit throughout the night.

For example, he commented on Azerbaijan's entry, saying "You would think they just had some bad oysters, but actually, it's choreographed".

Or, how during Georgia's performance, "No Georgian crows were harmed in the making of this costume".

He showed no reluctance to make it clear his personal favorite was Russia.   But shortly afterwards, it was abundantly clear he disliked Albania's entry, saying that's three minutes of his life he was never getting back.

Ouch.

Other performances of note were Israel, which one of my friends described as "Backstreet Boys meet Bollywood", Belgium, who used the lighting effects to create a neat black and white effect, Germany, which reminded us all of a James Bond intro, and Italy, whose operatic pop was different, refreshing, and really really good.

So, what was your favorite?

Happy Tanksgiving

Happy Tanksgiving!  No, it's not a typo.   It is what happens when an American bar in the Netherlands tries to put together a dinner on Thanksgiving day for all those American expats or Dutch people who are just curious.

Our armband.  Tanksgiving!!!

Yes, we dared to go to an American bar on Thanksgiving day to eat what the Dutch consider a Thanksgiving meal.  What is a Dutch Thanksgiving, you ask?  The answer is drumsticks (chicken, not turkey), sausage, meatball, zucchini, macaroni and cheese, bread, and fries.  The closest they got to actual Thanksgiving food was corn on the cob (which, considering how rare corn is in Europe, is actually quite special).  Oh, and no Tanksgiving meal would be complete without the Tanksgiving burrito, filled with ground beef, tomato sauce, peas and carrots.

Who ever said the Dutch can't cook?

When I asked if there would be pie, the waitress said "Pie?  Why do you expect pie?"  

Sigh.

After our meal, we headed outside to watch a bunch of very drunk Dutch guys play football in the Grote Markt.  They had a real football, but clearly did not understand any of the rules (they would pick the ball up after it had bounced several times on the ground, throw the ball multiple times to whoever happened to be open, and instead of tackling, they would pick each other up and kick each other).

Needless to say, it was great fun to watch.  It was made even better by the random sorority girls who were crossing through the football game on their way to a party, dressed up in many strange costumes, from frogs to dinner tables to pink square cheerleaders.

Hallo Sint! Hallo Piet!

It's that time of year again!

The time when everyone, especially the little ones, go out to the local canal and wait patiently for someone to come sailing past.  Yes, it's the time for Sinterklaas to come to town!

Of course, Sinterklaas is always accompanied by his cadre of friends - the Zwart Piets.

The Zwart Piets arrived in all sorts of boats, including repurposed cars.  They all hailed the Spanish flag because that is where Zwart Piet lives.

Apparently,  if you are bad, Zwart Piet will hunt you down, put you in a sack of potatoes, and bring you to Spain!

Honestly, it's not that bad of a punishment, really.

Finally, Sinterklaas himself arrives on the last boat in the flotilla!

Once docked, Sinterklaas and his friends go on a parade through the streets of the city.

The Piets hand out goodies to the kids, small circular cookies called pepernoten.  It's something that would never happen in the US - letting your kids accept unwrapped cookies from a stranger.

Waiting patiently for the Pepernoten

Most Dutch buy pepernoten in the stores, but you can also make them at home.

More Piets arrive by unicycle.

A common form of transportation in Spain.

Then the paddywagon arrives, toting gifts for children with typical Dutch names.

Sorry, I didn't see any for Bram or Sjaak.

This Piet arrived with his sheep.

Also black, oddly enough.

 Finally, I can see Sinterklaas above the heads in the crowd!

Go Sint!  Go Sint!

Sinterklaas heads to the university.  Nearby, sniper Piets keep a lookout for danger.

Just kidding!  Not snipers, they actually repel down the university building.

Piets hand out pepernoten and other treats to the wall of children that has formed.  Sadly, they won't give any to adults.  *sniff*

But we did catch one long enough for a photo-op!  Thanks Piet!

Horses on Halloween

Perhaps this Halloween you have found yourself wondering: What do horses do for Halloween? Well, I have the answer for you - they have a costume contest!  This Halloween,  I had the chance to see one of these costume contests in person.

Zorro and her trusty steed.

This horse dressed up as a witch, complete with little broom.

No, the horse did not try to ride the broom.

I'm not sure exactly what this horse is, but it had a cute shiny purple hat, that moved whenever the horse twitched its ears.

A Trojan horse!  Get it?

A horse of a different color.

My grandma and husband, watching the show.

This horse dressed up in 2-D.

Bet you've never seen that before!

This horse won for "Best Accessory" - a little mermaid!

Even the dogs got in on the action.

A Native American with horse.

Horses attempting to line up for judging and a photo opportunity.

This horse dressed up as his namesake - a point if you can guess it.

This dog also got dressed up - as a hobo with a little pack tied to a stick.  Needless to say, the stick didn't last long as the dog went bounding through the house, using his stick to knock over everything.

Not the best thought out costume...

So now next Halloween, when you find yourself wondering where all the horses are - you will know.

Gooooooaaaaaalllllll!

If you don't know what time of year it is, you either live under a rock or in the United States.  It's World Cup time, a time when the rest of the world* gathers in pubs around the world to cheer on their country as they make a goal against their favorite rival.   It can get quite passionate in a way that's difficult to comprehend unless you are experiencing it.  Luckily, we were able to experience it, in a local pub when the Netherlands played their old rival Spain.

Of course, it's only appropriate to wear the orange...

Along with most of the rest of the people in the pub...

The Netherlands and Spain were fairly even in the first half of the game... Spain scored once, the Netherlands scored once.... then the Netherlands scored again, and again.  When it was 4-1, the pub started chanting "Five!  Five!  Five!"  To everyone's amazement,  they actually did score again!  Then the pub started chanting "Zes!  Zes!"  The Netherlands didn't score six, but the final score, 5-1, was impressive!  The game included the incredible goal by van Persie, where he flew through the air, hit the ball with his forehead into the goal, and continued to face plant into the grass.  It's now being called one of the greatest goals ever. 

The pub breaks into celebration after one of the goals.  This video does not truly show how deafening the cheers were.

On the way home, I biked with my orange hair.  I almost crashed into a conga line of drunk college students celebrating, and then I high-fived two random drunk girls on the street as I biked past. 

Everyone was happy.

Now, it's your turn to participate in World Cup madness.  Make a guess on who will walk away with this year's world cup!   Here are the rules:
1. Your guess must be in before the second round of the world cup commences (June 27th).
2.  You can not guess a team that someone else has previously guessed.
3.  One guess per person.

Then, following the same rules above, you can also make a guess on the cumulative score of the final game (ie, if the game is 3-1, the cumulative score is 4).  

The winner will be determined at the end of the World cup (obviously).  A correct guess for the team will be worth 4 points, and a correct guess for the number of points will be worth 3!  This round of Beth's blog trivia will then come to an end, so make your guesses!  It could be anyone's game!   


* not the US

The Passion

I spent Holy Thursday in a very unique way.  In a country where prostitution and some drug use is legal, and religion is rarely discussed, I came together with 20,000 Dutch people, some who crossed the entire country, to celebrate the Passion.

It seems odd that the largest event I've been to so far in this country is centered around religion.  Odd, but also awesome.

Every year on Holy Thursday, the Passion is reenacted in a city somewhere in the Netherlands.  This year, it took place in Groningen.  Major Dutch actors and singers come together to put on a concert/musical, where Jesus' passion is retold in a modern light.

 

Along the main shopping road, stores are given crosses to work into their storefront displays.

On seeing this, I was a bit skeptical of the whole evening.  It seems a bit too flashy, too commercial.

Yes, the concert too was flashy.  But this, I think, is not necessarily a bad thing.  There is something very special to celebrate something so spiritual in a group so large in a very public place, with amazing light displays and moving music (even if it all is in Dutch).

But the night did not start out so hopeful.  Rain, of course, was present, and I couldn't see much over the sea of umbrellas.  Luckily, when the concert began, people put their umbrellas away, and only the choir was able to remain dry.

On the big screen, we are introduced to Jesus (left) and his friend Peter (right).  Jesus and his friends hang out in places around Groningen, from the bowling alley, to celebrating the last supper in the park behind the Martini Tower.

One fateful night, Jesus was praying with his friends in the parking garage, when the police come to arrest him.

Jesus, in an orange prisoner's outfit, awaits to hear his fate.

In a particularly moving portion of the concert, the crowd cheers for the release of Barabbas over Jesus.

As a culmination of the evening, the actual Crucifixion is represented by hundreds of people carrying a giant illuminated cross.  These people began their procession from across town, and slowly walked towards the main square as the evening progressed.  Some of these people had very sad stories - for example, one man had lost his son that year, but they all explained that God had somehow been there for them throughout that year.

The narrator describes the final hours of Jesus' life.

Of course, we know, this is not the end of the story.  The last song was filled with hope and joy.  Four giant strobe lights pierce the rain and project a cross on the low hanging clouds.   I look around the crowd, soaked through from the rain, and see them smiling, realizing the power of what we have all just witnessed.

That's right - he's back - showing that nothing can conquer love - not even death.  

So yes, even though it was flashy, it was a very special night.  In a world that is far too afraid of religion, we came together to celebrate something that is truly meaningful and remember that we too are loved beyond our wildest dreams.

If you are curious - you can watch the entire movie of the passion here (although it is all in Dutch).  But not to worry - apparently the Passion is coming to New York City next year!  

The Yule Lads and a Flesh Eatting Cat

Since our visit to Iceland was shortly after Christmas, we were able to enjoy some of the Christmas traditions of this isolated island.
 

Perhaps the most terrifying part of the Christmas season is the omnipresence of the Yule Cat.  This frightening feline watches children with the most sinister of intentions.

The Yule Cat is watching you...

Eye to eye with the Yule Cat

The Yule Cat has a strange taste in food - he eats those children who do not receive clothes for Christmas.  Therefore children in Iceland don't moan on Christmas morning, "Grandma gave me socks again?  But clothes aren't fun!"  Instead they exclaim in relief, "Grandma gave me socks!  I get to survive another winter without becoming cat food!"

Christmas also brings the Yule Lads, thirteen brothers who come throughout the Christmas season to leave gifts for good children, and rotting potatoes for bad children.  They have interesting names and bizarre personal stories, and most have an affinity for stealing things.  For example, Spoon Licker steals wooden spoons to lick them, and is very thin because he doesn't eat well.  Sausage Swiper hides in the rafters and steals sausages, and Door Slammer slams doors.  Children can expect to hear doors slamming, or have sausages missing from the house, or see spoons covered with saliva, depending on who visited the night before.  We happened to run into one of the Yule Lads on the street one night - a point if you can name him. 

The Christmas season in Reykjavík.  

Icelandic Christmas food is very special.  The traditional drink is Malt og Appelsín, made by mixing together equal parts of a non-alchoholic malt beverage and the orange soda Appelsín.  It's amazingly delicious - it almost tastes a bit like a chocolate orange.   

The traditional Christmas meal is smoked lamb (delicious), potatoes with a white sauce, red cabbage, and yummy giant peas.  

This is paired with a thin bread, sort of like a crispy tortilla, called Laufabrauð, or leaf bread.  It has a wonderful buttery taste!