Saturday, August 13, 2011

Day 5 in Toledo

¡hola!





so today was day 5 in the town of Toledo :) The schedule was more or less the same as day 3 and 4. Wake up, have breakfast, meet for prayer as a group, learn new songs, listen to testimonials, mass, lunch, free time, optional workshops, free time again and supper. It might not sound like a lot but we start at 9am and go until 11p.m.





However today before the workshops was an awesome culture show put on by the different countries staying with us in the community. We saw song and/or dances from Austria, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Puerto Rico, and of course Canada/Quebec... the costumes for the some of the countries were really beautiful. Other countries made us break a sweat in the hot sun by dancing but it was so much fun. It was really cool seeing all these countries perform something that their culture is based on.





Today´s workshop was inspiring. There were about 5 youth who showed us how to evanglize and gave their testimonials of how they became so interested in evanglizing to others. They all went to a school in Rome that offers a nine month program to teach young people how to spread to Good News.





Tonight´s supper was interesting. We had some kind of breaded fish and tropical pasta salad... lets just say most of us either didn´t eat it or ate only part of it but didn´t enjoy it. We are now very much breaded out eating at least two breads that are about 4 inches long and at least one meal is some kind of breaded meat or fish served with pasta salad or chips or more bread jajajajaja. Don´t expect us to eat too many carbs when we get home jajajaja.


All for now

Buenos Noches dear readers :)

Signing off
GS pilgrims








Friday, August 12, 2011

Day 3 & 4

Buenos Dias Todos (good evening all)





Our apologies for not blogging last night . Because of the storm tonight we have to make this blog quick and we will blog in detail tomorrow,

were all having a blast and cant wait to be home to home cooked meals and no meals out of a plastic container or box!!!!

We all met our host families and theyre extremely nice, we think, because they only speak spanish not one drop of english.

The schedule has been very busy here in the subburb of Toledo but at least were not bored sitting in our rooms wishing we were at home, (only at night we do that)

and were making lots of friends and having a blasts with France, Portugal and Puerto Ricoooo who seem to be keeping us the most awake with their loud music constantly playing.

More to write tomorrow in details

Miss you
GS Pilgrims

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

TOLEDOOOOO!

Buenos Dias Todos1
(Good Day Everybody <---- see how fast we learn!)

Today was our first official day in Spain. We landed at the Madrid airport at around 9:45-10am, Madrid time (3:45- 4am back home) The airline fed us dinner which we had the choice of chicken & rice, chicken & pasta or pasta with tomato sauce. 4 hours later, we were fed breakfast, yogurt and brioche with orange juice.

From the airport we took an hour bus ride to Toledo which we then had to climb a mountain to get to our hotel. In reality, it was simply a very steep hill but with all our backpacks, sweatpants from the plane and 35degree weather, it felt like a never ending mountain. Luckily, the English group was able to bypass the French group and get their rooms first.

After settling into our rooms, Michelle, Vanessa, Jason and AD went sightseeing around the small village of Toldeo. Jane went with her newfound friend and roommate, Jenna. If you'd like to imagine what Toledo looks like, watch any romance movie filmed in Italy with the little side streets, motorcycle and baguettes in their basket and that's what we're looking out onto this evening.

At 5:3o tonight, we will be having our evening prayer with the rest of the group. We were hoping to get some dinner after but because of the heat, in Spain, their siesta starts at 6. Restaurants will only open between 7:30 and 8:00pm!

That's it for now!
Buenos noches from Spain, Buenos dias to Montreal!

Adios!
GS pilgrims

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Day 1 - Take Off!

Hello Everyone

Today is our first day in the World Youth Day 2011 experience. We will all be flying out at 9:10pm at Pierre-Elliot Trudeau Airport. We must all be there at 6:00pm and no later. If anyone would like to come out and say their last goodbyes or pray with us, we will be between gate 1 and 2.

Everyone is running around doing last minute errands, last minute packing and definitely no last minute snoozing. Our excitement is high and our hearts are overjoyed with everyone's participations in the fundraisers we have hosted over the past 2 years. We would sincerely like to thank you all for beliving in us, guiding us and supporting us during the long 2 years. Without your support and contribution we would not be able to make this trip happen.

Ad is very much excited to experience his first World Youth Day. As team leader, the rest of the group has to say, Great Job AD in keeping us all together and stepping up as a leader.

Michelle, Vanessa and Jason, although this is not their first experience, they are still excited to see what this year's World Youth Day will be like. We are also excited to see our friends from Australia whom we have agreed to meet with for a few days.

As for Jane, she is our glue. She is the woman who kept us all together. Never once did she give up on us nor did she let our small debates get too far. We'd like to thank Jane for being there for all of us early mornings or late evenings and every minute in between, always answering our questions and concerns.

To Deacon George, Father Alvaro, Father Marc, the Fabrique and the rest of the community. Thank you for always being there for us, for always listening to our announcements EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND, for hearing us scream at the back trying to sell our tickets and always coming out to attend. Thank you for the prayers, the guidance and the good times.

We love you all and cant wait to arrive to update everyone!!!!!

T- 11 hours til lift off!!!

Signing out!
GS Pilgrims