WYD DAY 1

Tuesday 15th July 2008

Day 1 of World Youth Day, Sydney Australia

Receive the Power. The theme of World Youth Day, today it was evident to me for the first time in my whole World Youth Day experience ever since last year that the 'Holy Spirit' is truly evident in the youth of THE WORLD. Today was superfluously transcendental, beyond anything I have ever experienced. There was people from several countries en masse. It took us two to three hours to walk from Wynyard Station to Barangaroo because it was so packed! We were like - to use the cliched analogy - sardines packed in a can! Luckily we had the Croatian people who are accomodated at our Parish singing their songs with their drums, tambourines and guitars. Not to mention, their Croatian flag aprroximately the size of a basketball court. Damn those songs are catchy. There was even a skywriter in the sky writing "Welcome." Once it finished, everyone cheered and waved to the helicopters overhead. It was amazing, there was an exodus of youth from around the world, derived from so many nations - various that I had never encountered previously. For example, we met these people from Aruba. Aruba! In the Caribbean! I had never even heard of it before. A multitude of flags from upteen nations waved in a sea of international patriotism. Everyone was proud of their country, from the Aussies constantly crying "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie - OI OI OI!!" to the Mexicans yelling, "MEHICO MEHICO MEHICO!!" The general atmosphere was mind blowing. Although I think there existed not only pride but an underlying joy and gratitude that this faith of ours has dissented across this globe. Such an atmosphere of joy, love, geniality and of course - youth.

With the Croatians and their bellowing musicality, the office workers from George street were in a daze, taking out their camera phones snapping photos and videos of us. We waved as we passed, especially at the helicopters. Beach balls were being thrown and we randomly conversed to international friends, learning different languages. The office people found it highly amusing, and were throwing us lollies out the window. It was so cool. Barangaroo itself was huge. I saw Cee!!! She was so cute coming up and running to me, we found people we knew and met TONNES of people from around the world and got them to sign our flag. The atmosphere there was so amazing like in the concert after the mass, you could just dance with randoms and that would be cool, you could dance, sing, sway, start a Conga line and learn dances from every nation you could think of just because you wanted to and people would not care. They'd join right in with you! I made so many new friends! Not to mention, we should alter the name of WYD from WYD to "Hot Catholics of the World Unite!" *wink wink Greta* (American/Croatian/French Pilgrims - highly ATTRACTIVE). It was such an awesome concert with Guy Sebatstain, Gary Pinto, Paulini and Damien Leith. Everyone was moshing and enjoying the music.

The mass itself however although long, it was quite excellent. The songs went forever but they were sung beautifully - it was reverent and a hush of solitude had swept over everyone. Kneeling though was an ABSOLUTE KILLER. That concrete was harsh on the knees. I liked the Homily though, very age appropriate. BUT OMG. Kevin Rudd speaking Tagalog was HILARIOUS! He did apologise though, which made it even funnier! I swear there was so many filos there! We even saw filos from Canada! The Italian and Austrian people were so cute! LOL When Kevin Rudd addressed everyone in German the heap of German people in front of us were going "Awww, he's alright." A very so-so accent. But it was pretty cool of him to address us in various languages. The food was OK. Of course we were served meat pies, typical Aussie Cuisine. Dinner was... interesting. We were served chicken curry in POUCHES. When I first saw it I was like: "WHAT is THAT!" I swear it resembled spontaneous re-examined food choices aka vomit. But it wasn't too bad. Mind over matter.

LOL Got to meet up with Francisco and all these other people which was excellent, hadn't seen them in a while. Oh yeah, and I was on the huge screen! The guy captured this huge close up of me singing 'Recive the Power' ROFL. I couldn't believe it! It was such an awesome night! Going home was even more of an experience as these few pilgrim girls crowded around the window of this bar and started singing Spice Girls along with the bar music. The Canadians had also commented that the city was very beautiful! So point 1 for Sydney! This day has simply been overwhelming! I know that I'm absolutely knackered but I can't wait until tomorrow. Dancing with randoms is fun lol! We missed the fireworks but it was okay, the train ride home was peaceful but lol at Wynyard station I started the chant. Darren's like "How do I start a chant? I dunno how to start a chant!"

Me: "Like this: GIMME AN O!"

Short silence... "Um O!"

Me: "GIMME AN A!"

YOUTH GROUP: "A!"

Me: "GIMME A S!"

YOUTH GROUP: "S!"

"GIMME AN I!"

"I!"

"GIMME AN S!"

"S!"

"WHAT'S IT SPELL!!!!!?????"

"OASIS!!!!!!"

Me: "See Darren, that's how you start a chant."

Jay: "Ha, the Velascos start everything"

LOL.

Gotta go. Have to straighten my hair - for practical reasons. It will be SO much more managable that way. Curly hair is just too stressful amidst all this! xD So I have to go, takes an hour and a half! Tomorrow, Catechesis and lunch!! And of course YOUTH FESTIVALS! Can't wait to meet more people! There was so much energy there, unbelievable!

Until tomorrow!

- Dana xoxoxox