OMOH

we started lining up outside the stadium at 06.30. got number 5. the whole U2-family is here and all set. unfortunately there are two gates for ga tickets so there will be one hell of a run. by now, about 1.30 pm there are about 150 ppl in our line. we will start to form a line as soon as they are letting ppl into the plaza near the stadium then. the area is now closed and only we who have been lining up are here. we have absolutely no info on how things are organized, pretty much like we expected. anything can happen actually. there has been one big and important turning point though, the military police OMOH giving us the official ok to stay near the stadium and allowing us to line up. the other big concern is the fact that there are no toilets here and taking a trip out to the bushes will surely get you arrested as there are thousands of police and military around. so this is actually a major issue for many of us. we're not sure we can leave our spots once we're in the pit. may be very difficult to get back then. this whole thing is so difficult and nerve wrecking. i find it difficult to understand we're actually doing this, still I know it's worth it all, a thousand times.

and suddenly very disturbing things happened. everything turned black...like a war zone. I'll write a complete story on this once I get home. probably one of the worst things that could happen actually happened. the Russian army exercised its power and enjoyed every minute of it.

Who'd have thought 20 years ago?

I did not intend to post anything today as it has been a quite relaxed day. still, the most frustrating thing here is of course the immense language barrier. all those typical answers you need when visiting a new city are so far beyond reach. tourist center to be found where? wep key to free wifi? NO! is breakfast included in the hotel price? how do I get to the red square from this metro station? what is the name of this *$@%**^ station? it is really a nightmare. I'd go crazy if I had to stay longer without someone who masters russian and english. basically you are shut out of the society and system and ppl are very non service minded and don't want any contact at all. a few very short and perhaps cryptic notes from today:

no hot water in the hotel this moring

rain water from roof in reception

got stopped by police to show passport and papers. he didn't bother after all as he couldn't communicate with us

had an extremely bad sandwich with ham and cheese for twice the price as a hamburger at McDonalds.

angry old woman at post office was very kind to me and actually spoke a little english

spent most of the day near the red square

visiting an extremely luxurious galleria, much like you'd expect in London or Paris

went to the st basil's cathedral and was amazed by the beautiful icons inside

crazy repeat of a song about Moscow outside hotel

actually the subway is very clean and beautiful with monuments and sculptures

when I was a little boy, going to Russia seemed like a complete impossibility but here I am 2010

shoplift alarm went off when in grocery store. we were searched by guards but the left very soon because we're speaking only english, swedish and dutch

dinner in city centre at McDonalds. so busy I had to stand up and eat. finally I got french fries with my big mac, a guy at the counter understood what I was asking for, good thing. i just can't eat another burger now, i'm turning into one soon. super size me

back home in the rain and finish packing for tomorrow's queue

I'll just watch sex and the city in russian for 5 mins and listen to the rain before it's lights out. waking up at 6 am and off to the queue

From Russia with love

This posting will be in swedish only.

Idag har vi haft en orienteringsdag i 10 milj staden. Det finns så väldigt mkt att säga om Moskva att jag knappt vet vart jag ska börja. först och främst är det som en dålig skräckfilm att inte kunna göra sig förstådd på ngt sätt. vi har på en hel dag inte sagt ett ljud till ngn och inte förstått ett ord av vad folk säger. tex är det bra nära omöjligt att fråga någon något. ingen vill eller kan tala engelska. att förstå hur tunnelbanesystemet fungerar, med zoner etc är ett rent helvete. alla namn på skyltar är på kyrylliska. ingen att fråga och ingen kan svara. nivån av service är gravt undermålig. man måste be om ursäkt för att få beställa eller handla. de gäspar och tittar bort. äter så makalöst dålig mat eftersom jag inte törs äta ngt främmande just nu. inte hellerkan jag beställa. det är kort sagt ett mkt ogästvänligt ställe om man inte kan ryska. i frågor som att tex registrera sin ankomst till hotellet vill man gärna förstå eftersom det är grovt olagligt att inte göra det. behöver man bära med alla papper? ska man lämna tillbaka reg. bevis när man lämnar ryssland? man kan inte få ut ett ord av personalen. polisen kan stoppa oss när som och begära papper men vad behöver vi med oss? tanterna i restaurangen är direkt ohövliga. städpersonalen är de enda som verkar lite sympatiska, de ler lite i korridorerna faktiskt.

den enda fördelen är att det mot allt man hört är ganska billigt här. bigmac kostar 71 rub = ca 15 kr. enda chansen är att handla i affärer där man själv tar varor och sedan betalar. man har fickorna fulla av skitiga sedlar och småmynt, känner sig hela tiden äcklig om händerna. vattnet går inte att dricka och de måste ha vakter i affärerna pga rånrisken. alla stirrar på oss, vi klär oss inte som ryssarna och fattar inget. finns inga färgade här så jag antar att alla i Moskva vet vem jag är nu. allt är dubbat på tv. min säng knakar och smäller så jag tror hela hotellet ska vakna.

när man fått kläm på tunnelbanesystemet är det riktigt jävla bra. avgår varannan minut. man kan åka över hela Moskva för 26 rub = ca 2,50 kr. man ska bara fatta namnen på stationerna. upptäckte att jag har stor nytta av den lilla kroatiska jag faktiskt kan. nyckel, kära och goddag heter samma. man har faktiskt ganska tråkigt här, man står liksom utanför allt. lätt förstå hur det då är att komma till sverige och inte behärska spåket. man skulle gärna söka sig till "de sina" om de bara funnits här. snacka om att stå utanför.

har hämtat våra U2-biljetter idag på minsta och svettigaste kontoret man kan tänka sig. varit några h i centrum bland otroligt mäktiga sevärdheter såsom Kreml och röda torget. givetvis har vi varit vid arenan, vilken är rent enorm, för att kolla läget. blir nog insläpp i flera köer vilket är ren katastrof.

längtar så efter ryggbiff, knäckebröd och sallad. så trött på formfranska, cola och vatten. magen fungerar inget vidare. stan är täckt med U2-planscher. börjat vänja mig vid hotellrummet som luktar uggla. på torsdagkväll ska jag prova ngt typiskt ryskt till middag.

de ryska kvinnorna bekräftar nog alla fördommar man kan ha med sin delvis smaklösa stil, ja nästan på gränsen till lösaktig. skyhöga klackar som de inte kan gå i och tajta kläder som ser makalöst billiga ut samt översminkade.

just nu vräker regnet ner utanför de smutsiga fönstren och L snarkar i sin säng efter att ha gäspat oavbrutet i flera timmar. kollar på dubbad paris hilton bff på mtv. Inte mkt man kan göra eftersom området här inte är vidare säkert på kvällen. män som stirrar märkligt på en i varje gatuhörn.

det är onekligen enormt att vara här, ngt man tänkt på länge. känner historians vingslag. vilken pompös stad och vilken annorlunda kultur. jag rekommenderar er verkligen att fara hit men då med guide och bättre hotell. jaja man får inte glömma syftet med denna resa och stadion ligger faktiskt bara 5 min härifrån med apostlahästarna.

Rain, I don't mind

We went to the queue immediately after the first show to check out the situation. it turned out to be 10 ppl before me so I got number 11. we decided to leave the queue to get some proper sleep in the hotel. we just wouldn't survive another night camping out. we were more or less starving as we hadn't eaten anything for quite a while so on the way back we had to find something to eat. every place was full of ppl so there was only one thing to do, go to sleep hungry. it was fantastic to get into a proper bed. slept from 01-5.30 and got back out on the street to meet Åsa. returned to queue at 6.15 and aparently missed the roll call. we were crossed out from the list.damn! luckily it was simona who was in charge of the list and she put us back on the list. beautiful. got my airbed ready and got some rest. went to Alepa to get food. chocolate, bread and Coke, the most healthy breakfast. just like yesterday we were moved to the section closer to the arena about 3pm. had a really nice time with ppl of all nationalities. the queue was a bit nervous as the sound check end on the arena. pontus and jess were first in leading the way. we were actually running. got in on Adam's side and almost in front of Bono. luckily I'm not right in front of him as the mic gets in the way. Razorlight did a fairly ok show tonite but there's only one song that gets me going and I don't know the name of it. thank god we're having Snow patrol for the rest of the shows.

U2 put on the most spectacular show tonite. we were treated with new songs, could the title be "Every breaking wave" maybe? also because of the rain Bono was singing the full version of Rain instead of Amazing grace. it fit perfectly into Streets but would have appreciated Amazing more. there was a little bit too much focus on the rain in the setlist. we had "Singing in the rain" as well at the end of the show as a sing along. petite russian girl was invited to the stage and that hasn't happened so far this tour as far as I know. Wowy was a bit different and I was really hoping for an end verse but no. the audience in Helsinki really showed its love for U2 and it paid off. the rain started again just after wowy and Bono was soaking wet as he started off Moment. beautiful. this is by far the best show on this tour and may even be the all time high.

all the members of the band promised the audience to come back to Finland soon again. we'll be there for sure.

Broken beehive in Helsinki

After a very long night of almost no sleep because of the cold weather it's been an awfully long day with rain and shine plus the nervousness of not getting any good spots by the front rail. there has all day been a feeling of the guards actually not understanding nor respecting our idea of lining up. we've been in touch with the guards several times today trying to explain how they can help us and themselves out by using our system. basically it's all about letting ppl into the stadium in a fair way. the guards have to use their authoroty and let ppl in by their numbers. we have been struggling all day with explaining the numbering system to ppl who arrive to the queue and making sure everything is done in a fair way. the girl who was in charge has really done a marvelous job, been enthusiastic and really witty but still it didn't work out right. she got a pretty good spot between Adam and Bono but actually she deserves an even better. the guards opened 6 turnstiles at the same time after promising to let us in fair by the numbers. they really let us down today. I'm just to he left of front row on the Edge's side. could have been a lot better than this but this is what you get sometimes even if you put a lot of effort into it.

tonite it's Razorlight who will give U2 lift-off. I must say I have a hard time appreciating their music. maybe one or two songs are ok but they never got the audience going like snow patrol can. cool thing is that the base player said "tack, jag kan tyvärr inte säga så mycket på finska".

now all of the U2-crew is on stage doing sound checks. there seems to be some kind of problem, they have taken down the "beehive" and are now repairing it just minutes before U2 go on stage.

it's gonna be a really cold night again so I'm glad I have my hoodie. I doubt I'm going to camp out tonite concidering the result of today's queuing. we werw spoilt rotten by the procedures in Horsens.

I'm longing for food now and a Coke. haven't actually eaten anything today. very soon showtime.

By the way, I believe I was on the radio today.

http://svenska.yle.fi/huvudstadsregionen

So, bring on Helsinki 1.

Casiopeia in Helsinki

First, let me start off with the fact that I am having the time of my life tonite. There are some swedish teen girls guarding the line, running the number system and doing the roll calls. They have been here for 2 days camping out. I got into really nice conversations with them about politics, studies and small things in everyday life. it's a thrill to discuss politics with younger ppl who see things with brand new eyes. their opinions are very good and they tend to analyse things in a good way. They are quite interested in all my U2-experiences and I was more or less cross examined by them. guess I'm the god now with my over 40 U2-shows. it's interesting to hear how they have this hugh crush on Bono. a bot hard for me to understand but hey, I guess that is kind of normal.

I have number 23 today. The last roll call for tonight was at 1am and now it's time to sleep til 06am when there is another roll call. there will be roll calls every 3 hrs.

also I've met a lot of ppl from other tours. simona is here and the two swedish guys that were robbed in Dublin 2005. of course Pontus amd Irina are here. we've had a wonderful gathering in the park outside the arena, with a beautiful setting sun and life was so good.

I'm so cold and tired now. the police won't let us use the tents, only airbeds and blankets. also they closed the toilets for the night. we convinced one of the guards to let us use a toilet and got an ok.

I've had 2 McD burgers at 3 pm and then a sandwich for dinner. stomach is not ok at all but for the moment calm. god Im dreaming of a nice steak and fries now. good thing is that we have many stores and restaurants all around us where the prices aren't too bad at all.

been talking to the security on entering the arena by numbers like we did in Horsens. he has promised us that's going to happen but I trust no one.

can't sleep. it's now 2.30 and it's so damn cold that I'm shaking all over. despite all this hassle I'm enjoying myself. looks like I am the only one awake among the 50 people. I'm under a large birch and Casiopeia is watching over me from a clear sky above. beautiful to see the claw all illuminated against the starry night sky. a nice and quiet moment in a very tensed situation. this is what makes queuing so special and wonderful. all those die hards and me. feeling like a soldier trying to survive the cold. i truly wish i could share this unusual and odd moment with you in all it's desperation and devotion.

Leaving Malmö

Ok, last picture from Malmö. God, that bag is really heavy, about 16 kg actually. It's gonna be a real challenge to carry it from the central station to the hotel in Helsinki. Off to Copenhagen airport and soon airborn.

This is our moment, our time

Just like we've been struggeling for the past 24 hrs, we did end up upfront. had a really close call and things almost got fucked up when we were about to enter the pit. the guards decided to hold us by a new barrier and form three lines instead of one very well organized. hell no. we yelled at the guards, no fucking way. so we got in eventually by the numbers and as you can see, I'm in front row tonite as well and exact center line. actually not the very best spot for taking pictures as Bono's mic will be in the way all the time and also the big video cams. still it's the best spot in the house by far and it actually pays off to be lining up with such great guards and great girls organizing it all. they did one hell of a good job. we've had quite a bit of rain last night and today...I'm fed up with it. I'm totally sure Snow patrol will put on a splendid show. especially now that the skies seem to clear up over Horsens. so far today I've been eating 3 slices of toast, 2 slices of ham and about 3dl of water. if there is a slightest spark of energy left after the show I'll try going to the afterparty and get a nice big Coke and something propper to eat. actually I don't regret camping out while still paying for a hotel. I'm fine right now, I'm sincerely happy, this is what turns me on. one day, all this will be gone and I'm taking my chances.

Horsens 2 in the rain

Still tired since yesterday's lack of sleep. went back to the hotel to get a shower. a really good move actually. got some food at Netto and back again to the line. as we know that the queueing system is working it pays off to go thru all this. after all I had a good night's sleep in the thunderstorm. I've been releaved from my command as head of giving out queue numbers. it's soon 2.30 and security has given us ok to form the line by numbers. the same procedure as yesterday. got into a fight with a french guy who just couldn't explain why he was in the queue. he was apparently guarding bags for a couple of friends and we took him for a queue jumper. he was so angry with me. as usual the head of security held a very amusing speech about the rules. and again with number 4 on my hand I guess I'll be allright tonight. dallad has been rehearsing Ultra violet all day so I really hope we get that one tonite. we're right now in the stalls in front of the arena waiting to be let in.they scanned all tix and probably will do the security check soon. i have to go because the rain is coming down really bad now. i really feel that tonight's show is going to be just great. bono is like on fire. amazing grace was the best ever and tonite it might be just as good. let's hope for it. and oh mr Hewson...can we have end verse of wowy? it was so close last night and he was absolutely amazed by the crowd singing in wowy. bring on horsens 2...in the pouring rain.

The Gothenburg syndrome

This has got to be the most beautiful entering the arena. even better than Gothenburg. after a damn cold night the queuing was so relaxed and beautiful. ppl respecting queue numbers and really strict rules. the danish guys handling the queuing did a brilliant job communicating with the head of security all the time. we were walking on a line like school kids to the very gate after a very nice speech from the head of security.

had to wait for 1 hour outside the gates but there was no pushing and everyone was so calm because we were told that any pushing would stop the entire process.

thank god the numbering system worked all the time and they opened our gate first. with number 8 on my hand there was no way this could go wrong. and yes, I'm on the front rail just one step to the left of Bono's mic. it was actually a walk in the park and I have a beautiful video of it all. I was asked to be the one keeping law and order tomorrow in the line and now that I know I can trust the guards to totally cooperate with us it will be worth not sleeping for another night. actually everyone is smiling tonite, ppl up front are the ones who deserve it. I'll make sure it's gonna be that way tomorrow as well. soon Snow patrol, damn have I missed them. I'm dedicating chasing cars to someone tonight. have only eaten 1 sandwich today and I have to get somethig to eat by midnight or I'm out. will post a short review tonight. probably will not be able to sleep and I'm in desperate need of a shower and clean cloths. so tomorrow, the Gothenburg syndrome part to, now even better. Keep this frequency clear.

The chaingang

We're walking like schoolkids on a line from the muddy field. number 8 in the queue feels good. this could work out just fine....or not. i have a gothenburg flashback here...love it.

Morning in the mud

what an extremely uncomfortable night. couldnt sleep at all. allthough I had both airbed, tent and lots of clothes I was freezing like crazy. luckily no rain. not many people arrived during the night. I feel a little disappointed paying for the hotel and not using it. still the quality of the hotel is not very good so sleeping in the muddy field is ok. i am sure we'll camp out tonight again. so far ive met a lot of friends, familiar faces from 2009 and even 2005. right now the sun is shining from a clear blue sky and it feels so good but i am sure it will be one of those hot days and getting sweaty at the concert and then back to sleep in the tent again. it's actually a pitty we cant be at the hotel but i must admit that it's very nice to chat with all those great and nice people that share a common interest. so far the queuing is very relaxed but i'm sure the beer will take it's toll on the Danish people. no people from Sweden yet and there are like 5o ppl lining up now. i have number 8 for the Sunday show and number 4 for the second. strangely enough we have numbers for the second show allreday. i wonder if that is going to work out at all. right now i don't feel like queuing tonight but ppl are so nice that i'm sure I'll forget about the efforts and camp out.

we have to get back to the hotel soon to get tickets and leave stuff. so bring on Horsens 1. so tired...and not even halfway through this whole Danish thing.

we're told that the guards will pick us up and guide us to the arena on a nice line and queue jumpers will be thrown out from the queue.

soon it's time to get some morgenmad.

Camping out

it has been a very long day but truly great. came to the hotel at 4 pm and met the actually drunk owner. the place is terrible. damp and smelly. also far away from the arena. we cannot walk the distance so bringing the car is our only option. no good at all. we just had a burger at mcdonalds and now the tents are ready. it is very surprising that there are only 8 ppl in line and there will not be more tonight. we could be at our smelly hotel and sleep in beds but here we are on a field watching the light check that is a truly beautiful sight. it is actually so annoying that we're paying for a hotel and still we're not using it. this is so odd and so nice. i'm among friends and I'm having a good time. goodnight from a freezing U2-fan in Horsens.

Equipment

This is what I bought, 4 tents and 6 blankets. That way we have a few options when it comes to camping out. From what I've heard, the nights get pretty cold out there so we'd better be prepared. The equipment I got was actually pretty cheap but it always hurts to ditch things. I didn't plan to buy this at all but after those scarry stories of almost freezing to death outside the arenas of Germany I just had to. I can return the stuff and get money back if we decide not to use it. Bring on Horsens...

Twitter live feeds

I have now published my Twitter live feed on this blog. It lets me text short updates to the top right part of this blog from my cell phone. That will be a lot cheaper than sending MMS to blogger, that is what I have to do to make full blog postings with or without pictures. Just to give you an idea, I'll pay Eur 0,5-1,00 per MMS in most countries so I'd rather stay in touch with my blog using text messages for say Eur 0,15 - 0,40 each. I tried this Twitter thing in my previous blog for the tour 2009 and it worked out just fine. So, keep an eye on the right column of this blog for live feeds.

The price of love

I'm seriously starting to worry about the show in Moscow. Daily reports on people abandoning Moscow and even dying from the severe air pollution. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Sweden advices people going to Moscow to stay away. There are so many questions arising now. Will U2 cancel the show? We'll have to get a flight from Helsinki back to Copenhagen if U2 decide to cancel the show last minute. We're losing a lot of money too. I'd appreciate a decision from U2 principal management soon. Even more disturbing would be if they re-schedule the Moscow show for a later date. Visas, hotel booking, flights, everything has to be changed then and no money back what so ever. We'll just miss out on Moscow then and I know it's the price of love, it's not cheap.

Shrinking my 2do list

Today, I've really got some necessary things done and they are all part of my to do list for the tour.

Bought 2 pairs of sneakers to be able to compare them, deciding what pair to keep in order to avoid aching feet standing up on the pavements in the extreme heat. I think I have allready made up my mind but let's not get hasty here. I have a 30 days return policy.

Looked for a small camera bag for my Casio HS-15. All bags are so designed and therefore expensive so I was about to give up. I just happened to walk past the store Tiger and they had a very small back pack, not at all intended for cameras but perfect. Price: Eur 2 and most cam cases Eur 20.

Ordered an extra battery for my Casio HS-15 in case I will not be able to get back to the hotels to reload the battery. Price: Eur 16 and in most stores about Eur 60. Also, a good trade off, just in case the guards decide to take my cam, I can offer them to take the battery and I have another one for backup. How devious, allthough I'm alost 100% there will be no problems bringing a small cam.

Look, a BroBizz

A little handy device to make crossing the bridge between Malmö and Copenhagen a lot easier and also cheaper. Let's see if it works on the other bridge in Denmark too, the Storebæltsbroen. All I have to do is place it in the front car window and drive through the toll station. I truly appreciate the kindness from a certain person who let me borrow this little BroBizz.

Bouncing Istanbul ticket

I sent off one ticket for Istanbul to my friend in Stockholm. Unfortunately she is so darn busy at work, she didn't have the time to pick it up at the post office. Accordingly, the envelope was sent back to me and I'm resending it in the next few days hoping she will find the time to pick it up this time.

16 survival kits

These are more or less our survival kits (I guess a desperate man would say the same looking at the images of the packages) for long and weary hours in line outside the arenas. Those air beds are pretty good actually and quite disposable as the price is approximately Eur 2.00. The man at the store really stared at me, a customer paying for 16 air beds and especially at the end of the summer. Well, he didn't say anything. God, they are quite heavy and I had to carry them on the bus and all the way from the bus stop to my apartment. Anyway, here they are, ready to be inflated and used on the seas, ehh sorry, streets of Europe. I'm sure you'll see them in use on many photos in this blog.

Amazing Grace

This is what the band rehearsed Wednesday evening. Of course there may be a lot of changes to the setlist during the tour but I'm very pleased to see that they seem to keep With or without you and Moment of surrender as the final songs. To be honest, the biggest surprise is that they play Amazing grace before Streets, and this is Europe. Amazing!

01. Space Oddity / New Intro
02. Beautiful Day
03. Magnificent
04. Get On Your Boots
05. Mysterious Ways
06. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
07. The Flowering Rose Of Glastonbury (new songl title unknown)
08. Elevation
09. In A Little While
10. Spaceship / Miss Sarajevo
11. Until The End Of The World
12. The Unforgettable Fire
13. City Of Blinding Light
14. Vertigo
15. Discotheque (snippet) / I'll Go Crazy If I Do not Go Crazy Tonight (Remix)
16. Sunday Bloody Sunday
17. MLK
18. Walk On / You'll Never Walk Alone
19. Desmond Tutu Intro / One
20. Amazing Grace / Where the Streets Have No Name
21. Spaceship Intro / Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me
22. With Or Without You
23. Moment Of Surrender