So after breakfast I went looking for a supermarket and, quick as a flash, noticed that were lots of police and barricades along the Calle Grand Via and figured out that the Pope must be traveling down the road at some stage this morning.
I waited about 30 minutes and sure enough he came down the road but of course I didn't have my camera with me - I mean you don't expect to see the Pope when you head off to the supermarket, it certainly doesn't happen when I go to the supermarket in Queenstown.
After getting some things to make the journey to Cuatro Vientos a little more pleasant I headed back to our accommodation and got my things ready for the trip, walk and overnight wait for the final Mass of WYD 2011.
I'd been in contact with +Adrian who joined us about 2.30pm as the small groups were finishing some reflection and journaling time and we prayed and he gave us a blessing and sent us on our way.
The train trip was a bit of a battle as all of the trains were full and so we broke up into our small groups arranging to meet at the last station. Eventually we all arrived and started the walk to Gate 3 where we were to enter to go to D2, our designated spot.
It took some time because there were 1000's of other pilgrims traveling in the same direction and when we got near the gates the first serious problem arose. The photo with today's blog shows the kind of landscape we were going to moving into and it certainly didn't get any better the closer we got.
After walk some distance we were told that the gate we wanted to enter was shut and not likely to be opened so we had best find ourselves another spot so we settled into an area where we had sufficient room although we were some distance from a screen to see what was happening because there was a high bank between where we were and where the Pope was to be tonight for the Vigil and tomorrow for the Mass.
We survived the early part of the evening were geared up for the Vigil but we had some slight concerns as the were huge clouds building up in the distance and moving towards us. When the Pope was addressing the crowds the heavens opened and he was forced to stop as lightning, thunder and wind shook the place leaving lots of damage and plenty of soaked pilgrims. Thankfully I had my space blanket which became a more than adequate wet weather shelter.
After the Vigil had finished and the Pope had left I settled back to reflect on what was happening and concerned that if we were so far away would we be able to receive Communion tomorrow or would I be able to even get into the area to concelebrate the final Mass.
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