Meeting people and trading things

Today Ashley and I did a much better job at displaying our American pride. By now, everyone walks around waving flags, wearing tshirts and carrying other things that represent their countries such as hats, bracelets or blow up kangaroos. (love those Aussies!)

When you run into people sometimes you say hi and acknowledge if you actually recognize their flag, or ask where they are from. We've been handing out cards left and right and sometimes we are able to trade items such as bracelets, key chains, bandanas or hats. Today was our best day yet -- we were able to meet some nice Irish girls, ate lunch with some Aussie ladies and talked to many Italians throughout the day. We got items from Holland, Taiwan, Italy, Kuwait and more! Tomorrow is supposed to be the best time to trade so I'm going to take all of my stuff and see what I can trade and who we can meet.

The coolest thing about meeting fellow Catholics from around the globe is finding out that sometimes we have similar sentiments about our countries and our government. No rights for the unborn, tryin to equalize everyone and broken promises. It's easier to be a Catholic in the United states than other countries and it's good to be able to recognize it and appreciate the liberty we have. It's also fun to deal with language barriers and listen to each other share stories and experiences.

It's nice to see that we trade more than just trinkets.

fbt&<3

Sabrina

Demonstrations

I did a lot of different things today including the ProLife conference, a long stroll down Gran Via, plus seeing the Palacio Real and the Cathedral. The biggest ordeal were the anti-Catholic demonstrations at the Puerta del Sol. We came up from the Metro at night and there were huge areas of the streets blocked off by a dozen police vans and tens of cops. Apparently there were some upset Spanish people marching in protest against us Catholics doting signs that talk bad about the pope -- about him being anti-condoms and not having to pay for this event while their taxes are rising. What they don't realize is how much we love their country and how much money we are putting into their economy. I saw people carrying mean signs on the Metro and I peeled anti-Catholic stickers off walls and street signs. Someone told Ashley to "Go Home" since she was wearing a pilgrim's backpack.

Don't worry! There were so many police men there and we were well surrounded by other Catholic pilgrims. We also think that the enemy is hopping mad but we are glad God showed us the demonstations so we know what is going on. I feel proud to be here in Madrid with a million fellow Catholics. It's so powerful to see Our Church represented in dozens of languages and cultures. No other denomination could hold an event like this. We are strong and we are full of faith. No paper sign is going to worry us because God is in control.

fbt&<3

Sabrina

Choosing Wisely

World Youth Day might be for the young at heart, but it's not for the weak. We have already had a number of people in our group be sick or get hurt. Last night was the Opening Mass with the Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Madrid. Think Catholic mosh pit for a mile. Everyone was pushing and smashing up on people. It was pretty intense. Ashley and I had to evacuate through some Germans, more Italians (they are everywhere!) and some people from Africa. I heard later that a few people had fainted. It was chaos!

You have to choose very wisely. While I would love to be drinking wine around the clock, I know I would be hurting myself the next day. We are woken up at 7am by music and Father Eddie talking. They played songs like Ghostbusters and Eye of the Tiger. We get to bed around 1am if we are lucky, usually 1:30am. We take showers that are ice cold and can't even stand it long enough to properly wash he conditioner out of our hair! We walk in the heat, all
over, with stuffed backpacks and sweat. Have I mentioned that I love it all? It's strengthening to suffer a bit. it's comforting to know that you're not alone. Plus, we know it's only temporary. Before long we'll realize we're home and it is all over. "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger."

Therefore, we've been having to take special care of our bodies. I try to stretch at night and we try to pick healthy foods. We have meal tickets that get us meals at marked restaurants around town. We just had a great meal -- a tuna sandwich on fresh grain bread, an orange juice with Matcha and a rooibos tea. Yum! Our breakfasts have been more meager than we were used to -- a chocolate filled croissant, orange juice box and Cola Cao, like Yoohoo. My multivitamin and Emergen-C packets are probably he only things keeping me moving after being exhausted. That and cafe con leche. :)

Stay hydrated!

fbt&<3

Sabrina

Viva la Vida!

Hello from the official Viva la Vida Prolife Conference! We are here with people from all over the world talking about their prolife movements in Ireland, Canada, Australia, Spain, the US and more. We had mass with Father Stan Fortuna (go google him, he's a great speaker and talented rapper and jazz musician) and have various talks by organizations. Even Lila Rose is speaking later -- she sat behind us in mass. :)

It's interesting to see that the issue of rights for the unborn are a world wide problem -- even in countries where abortion is still illegal. McKenna is here too and we have been telling people about Heroic Media and our work doing mass media. We got some neat swag and information about other groups that really involve youth and young adults in defending life from conception to natural death, and creating a culture of life. Closely related are an awareness of chastity and loving our neighbors, especially disabled, young and very old. I hope to grab a few shirts and we'll see what people say about them in Austin. So inspiring and energizing.

Check out the prolife conference online for more information on the event.

fbt&<3

Sabrina

Welcome to Madrid!

After a long bus ride, we got to Madrid around 7:30 pm on Monday night. We got to our school and waited around for a while. Some of the boys played a pickup game of soccer with some Spaniards and we snacked and waited. We were subjected to an icebreaker and a load of announcements. Eventually we got our assignments and Ashley and I headed to the gym and set up shop in the dance studio. We had to venture on our own for dinner, so we had some amazing pizza and glasses of much needed wine. We ran (literally) back to the school and we all had to be subjected to the showers. Imagine a courtyard with a bunch of hoses connected to shower spouts. Then add some cheap plastic curtains with Coca-Cola on them around the square. That's it! We had to get in with our bathing suits to shower in ice cold water. Since Ashley and I had done some sprints beforehand, (and possibly due to the glass of wine) we though the showers were not that bad. I was thankful we had showers at all, plus, scalding showers are much worse!

We went to bed around one and got some decent sleep. We tackle Madrid in the morning! I'm looking forward to seeing the city and everything WYD has to offer.

fbt&<3

Sabrina

EPCOT, Catholic style

Here I am in Madrid's Parque de Buen Retiro looking up at some trees after a half day of exploring the city on our first full blown WYD. I've clocked in 5.25 miles so far and it's only 4 pm.

I feel like I'm at EPCOT. Everywhere we look we see groups carrying flags from all over. I hear voices cheering, singing and talking in every language. Big groups, small groups and religious people left and right. It's overwhelming!

We started in Plaza del Sol and walked around in the general direction of the Parque. We saw many things and talked to people from all over! We then took a tour of the familia Segrada by the late Gaudi.

After lunch of pork, potatos, a side salad and tiramisu we visited the vocational fair, saw 200 concessionals and stopped by adoration. Now it's nap time!

fbt&<3

Sabrina

Saying Adios

Saying goodbye is really hard. We left Malaga this morning with full stomachs, warm hugs and happy hearts all while trying to hold back tears. (and failing miserably) You might think it's strange, but everyone got so close and comfortable with our families that we were all crying when we left Malaga. Ashley and I said goodbye to Ester (we thought it was Estelle!) and the kiddos this morning after one more good breakfast, a good shower and a strong cup of espresso. Angel (age9) gave us pictures that he drew for us and we took some family pictures. We got to mass really late, but we were there to listen to the communion songs. We teared up more when we realized we were singing "One Bread, One Body". It may have been the lyrics, or just hearing a familiar tune, that it felt like home.

"One Bread, One body, one Lord of all. One cup of blesssing which we bless. And we, though many, throughout the earth, we are One body in this one Lord."

We are both contagious criers, so we kept telling each other to stop it. :)

During mass, our coordinator made some announcements and we thanked our host families. I cant even describe the huge amount of sacrificial love that we experienced in a matter of days. What was amazing to hear was that the families were thanking us for allowing them to be Christ to us. Wow. If we were not already crying, we all felt tons of emotions at that comment. We said our goodbyes and Teto told us that the reason that Ester didn't drop us off was because she's super emotional and didn't want to break down. I'm sure if she was there we all would have bawled like babies. She is such a sweetie. (muy amable)

It is such a powerful feeling to accept such hospitality. I've been reflecting on how this community just opened their homes and their hearts to us pilgrims and took such good care of us. They fed us so well, if not too much, and made sure we had a great time. They were so accommodating and kind. I felt loved from the start -- before they even knew me. It's such a parallel to how we should be to our fellow man.

I hope that I can someday return the favor, or pay it forward. I am going to miss my host family! Ashley and I are convinced that we got the best family! Both Teto and Ester were so animated, goofy and hysterical. We had such a good time getting to know each other and sharing stories and showing pictures. I got their address so I can send them Texas postcards.

Now we are on the bus back to Madrid. We anticipate traffic, as many pilgrims will be traveling today. I'm not sure what to expect tonight, but I think we are staying in a school.

Goodbye Malaga! I hope I can come back someday. The real pilgrimage begins today. No more privacy, hospitality or feasting. I'll need to tolerate more. It will be hotter. It will be crowded. I'm not sure how to prepare for this, so I'll have to keep the faith. Luckily, I have plenty of that (and am actively working on more).

A Madrid!

fbt&<3

Sabrina