Life's a short trip...

First, I realize I never wrote about spring break, but I just haven't had to time sit down and truly reflect on all that I experienced and saw in that short period of time. I promise as soon as finals are done I'll post my thoughts and pictures.

Right now, I cannot believe I only have six days left here. I am stoked to go home, see my family, friends and alex, watch the Celtics beat the Lakers, and eat tons of cheese and steaks, but I am having a hard time saying goodbye to Istanbul. It has truly become a place I love. Actually I want to reflect on this later. Right now I want to talk about two things: Eurovision and the Israeli thing. I think I may write about Israel in another post a little later as the topics do not relate at all.

OK So Eurovison - the greatest show/ song contest ever. Keep in mind, I am not an american idol fan. Apparently, it has existed since the 50s. Basically, each country participating submits a song (previously unreleased). On Wednesday and Thursday night, there is a semifinals, in which, top 21 songs are picked. The Big Four - UK, France, Germany, and Spain- automatically qualify for rating purposes. On Saturday Night, there are the Finals. Each song is perform for two minutes to large productions with lights, props, video and sometimes fire or fireworks. No more then six people allowed on stage. The performances are super dramatic, its great. Some of them are truly incredible and make Lady Gaga look like a child's production, while others just down right silly.

After all the performances, there's a really long commercial break allowing viewers and judges to vote. Voting is determined by country. Each country has three judges, they pick the country's three favorites awarding them 12, 10, 8 points respectively. Then the viewers from the country pick the seven each getting 7-1 points determined by ranking. It's a crazy process but if you see it live, you just might understand it.

The best part is the judges votes because they are so political. Foe example, Greece's 12 points went to???? that's Cyprus. Who did Cyprus give first too? Greece. It was awesome to witness how forward each country was about it. No one even tried to hide their alliances. I loved it, perhaps, it's because I'm a major poli-sci dork, but whatever. I'm not the only one. Apparently, (i read it in a newspaper article) there are all types of professors and scholars that have written about it. It just one of pop culture things that completely displays the political feelings of the time.

Second best part, not all the countries in it are from Europe. Israel, anyone? I can't wait to try to watch online next year.

Here's the top three performances and some of my favorites via youtube:
1) Germany - Satellite
2) Turkey - We Could Be the Same
3) Romamia - Playing with Fire

 Greece - Opa
Azerbaijan - Drip Drop
Moldova - Run Away (this one is just funny)