WYD Guest Blogger: Cathy Kusman

Day 1 SYDNEY (Mon.): We get everyone thru customs no problems… longest part took that everyone had drugs (medications) on them and to be checked. J Outside the terminal we meet up with the Brazil group & there is singing & dancing & we are on the news… a fun way to start the celebration. Many countries joined us in the celebrating. So many languages, flags…… but laughter & praising God is all HIS Language. The bus driver shorts us the tour we were supposed to have and we arrive at the hotel early. The lobby is small and cannot accommodate us, so we are left on the curb for an hour with our luggage. Finally getting room assignments (that of course have to be changed many times) and we unload & are ready for day one in Sydney. We did not get into the cathedral, Opera House or to see St. Mary MacKullop, but there is always tomorrow. We have a traditional lunch at Paddy McGuires (across from the hotel) of fish, chips & beer. Then we find out the bad news that we have no passes for the week of events. WHAT!?! Dinner is traditional lamb that evening. We rode the Monorail around the city, meeting people at each stop. The Australians are very friendly & want to know where you are from & find out a little about you! Our hotel is in the heart of Chinatown. It is lively & fun, with a Starbucks across the street. J Tomorrow will be better!

Day 2 SYDNEY (Tue.): Breakfast is at 6;15 a.m. each morning and morning prayer is at 7:30 a.m. We find out that only can get into the public events and the closing Mass. YIKES… We head to the opening Mass to see if we can get close. Father Bill figures out how to get us in and we are far yet close… It’s exciting to be with so many people from different countries all celebrating the Mass together. The Prime Minister of Sydney welcomed us in MANY Languages. Then the Bishop of Sydney, Cardinal Pell, celebrated Mass & gave a great homily, telling us we were the spring in their Australian winter. J So many different countries traditions were incorporated into the Mass… BEAUTIFUL! Thank heavens for the Jumbotrons so we could see, as we were about 1,000 people deep. 150,000 people attended the Mass at Bangaroo Park. Getting out was a LONG walk but meeting people all along the way… Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Canada, Korea, Italy, France, Mexico, Chile, Australia, Poland, Brazil and Papua New Guinea. It’s a beautiful way to start the pilgrimage.

Day 3 SYDNEY (Wed.): After Morning Prayer, we head off to the Blue Mountains to see what Australia is about. Our first stop is the wildlife refuge. We get to see koalas & kangaroos up close & have our photos taken with them. They give us one hour in the zoo … are you kidding? 70 kids in the zoo for one hour? But they did it.. they ran and got to see most of the animals. It was fun to feel a koala who we thought would be SOFT but not really.. The kangaroo you would think would be course but was SOFT. Lots of Joeys too. FUN! Penguins, tazmanian devil, wallaby … FUN! Then off to the BBQ lunch that is paid & planned … guess what? Yup! No one on the planning team of Harvest tours knows ANYTHING… yikes. It has been disappointing in many aspects, but we are also enjoying the moments that we can! We then go to the Blue Mountains & what a view. Incredible photograph opportunities. Then we took the tram/train up & down the mountain. Very exciting. We were back for dinner at Casa di Nico for Italian food as a group with Las Vegas & Denver pilgrims. Then we walked around & enjoyed the concerts in the park.

Day 4 SYDNEY (Thu.): After Morning Prayer, it’s off to catechesis. Tomorrow we hear Bishop Sheridan… today, we are not sure. It begins with praise & worship and ends with Mass. The youth are having a great time & what more can you ask for? J Groups start singing as they are waiting & everyone joins in. FUN! As you walk from place to place, you pass other countries carrying their flags, and there’s the universal welcome... slap high fives welcoming each other as you pass.