WYD Tuesday reports

Tuesday, August 16

The amount of things that has happened today alone seems to equate one day here with a week back at home. This makes the application of the word “brevity” a very difficult task  therefore, I have enlisted the help of the other girls in my group of seven to narrow the day down to the three major highlights. Whether or not this will yield a more brief description of the day, I do not know. However, it is definitely worth a try.

1. The metros

The metros are the fastest and safest form of transportation in Madrid. Just don’t expect to get from one place to another in 15 minutes. Expect something more like an hour, depending on where you are going. However, the time goes by fast because we have to be constantly aware of where we are, what metro line we’re on, where we’re headed, and which is our next stop. I think we have met more people on the metro than in any other place. Being squished like sardines, at times, there’s not much you can do except initiate a short conversation in between stops. The metros aren’t always crowded, but after events such as the opening Mass, it’s quite the adventure. I was telling one of my friends today that if it weren’t WYD I would probably be scared of traveling on the metro with so many rambunctious foreigners. At one point, in the metro, a group from Mexico started to cheer “Me-xi-co. Me-xi-co.” Of course, that set off a chain of patriotic cheers for Germany, England, Brazil, USA, and the list goes on. In conclusion, the metro is definitely a characteristic part of our travels.

2. The universal and amiable atmosphere

Another highlight of our first day around Madrid was the atmosphere and all the people we met. About 95% of the people on the streets are there for WYD. Most groups carry flags, sing cheers, or wear matching shirts and hats. So, the chances of saying hello to someone and receiving a cold response is highly unlikely. On the contrary, every group we have met has talked to us about where we are from, where they are from, and WYD. “De donde eres” (where are you from) is usually a good start. Most people speak at least a little Spanish or English. If that doesn’t work then pointing to the American flags on our backpacks usually gets it across. The big thing around here is trading pins, flags, bracelets, hats and whatever else could be a memento or a sign of the country you are from. One group from Italy actually traded a little bunch of noodles wrapped in green and red ribbon attached to a safety pin (to put on backpacks). After the opening Mass, a guy from El Salvador asked me for something in exchange for his El Salvador post card. Everyone is extremely friendly and enthusiastic. If a group starts a cheer in the streets, everyone joins in, claps, or cheers them on. It is amazing to see so many young people filling the streets of Madrid just to celebrate the faith.

3. Mass in German at the Stroke of Midnight

This experience is unique to my team. During the opening Mass, the priests who came to the crowds to give communion ran out just as we reached the barrier to receive the Eucharist. Since we weren’t able to receive, we went to the University (where most RC groups are staying) on our way back to the Everest school where we are staying. We found a priest who was just about to celebrate a short Mass for a group of Germans who had arrived. He said it would be short because it was already almost midnight and the group had not had dinner yet. Although we already went to the opening Mass, we were glad to be able to attend Mass where we could actually see and hear everything (even though it was in German). We were very impressed by the fervor and reverence with which they participated in the Mass. This was a special little gift from God to experience the universality of the Church and to be able to receive the Eucharist.