Day Seven

We got a small lie in today which was very welcome, though some of the boys had to get up early to go to get the missing items from our rucksacks. It was an entertaining breakfast because Fr Phil had picked up a yoghurt and when he ate the first spoonful he made a face and said it was disgusting. It was passed around most of the table because it reportedly tasted of nothing. I abstained from this delightful yoghurt tasting, and was really glad I spotted the rice pudding instead.

Before we met up a few of us ventured to the supermarket around the corner to get some supplies for the day. We then met the rest of the group and we were given our WYD bags. We were told to go and empty the bags and come back with it, food, water, suncream, hat, and various maps. I enjoyed briefly looking at everything as I took it out. I put on my crucifix, from the bag, which is really beautiful. As I went to rejoin the group I had a brief chat with Fr Augustine and he very kindly blessed it for me.

We were then given our passes, food vouchers and tickets before we made our way to the metro station. Our nearest station was Canillejas and we were all told to really pay attention to how we got there so when we came back later in the night we would know the way back to the hotel. We then got on the metro to Opera and then walked to the Cathedral. We then split into our groups and all went off in search of food.

Our group, on consulting the food map, decided to go back to Opera. We then stood in a burger king line for a good while before we realised that the queue just was not moving. Consulting the map again we went on the metro to Gran Via. There we joined the thronging masses attempting to get food in McDonalds. McDonalds was mental. It was comparable to being in the middle of a rugby scrum, only less orderly! It must have taken 2-3 hours from start to finish. I have to say I have never been so grateful for food in my life.

We got some other food at a place across the street, and then got back on the metro to Retiro to go in the park and sit in the shade and chill for the rest of the afternoon. Just across from where we set up camp, wheelchair and all, was a play area and off went Laura and Hannah to play. It was hilarious watching them on this spinny thing. After a while Marie and I went for a walk around the park, got some Madrid badges from some volunteers, and after queuing for ridiculous amounts of time to go to the loo, finally got back to the others.

We then made our way to the opening Mass. This was rather tricky, especially having to negotiate the crowds with the wheelchair. I was designated map reader and was taking us up and down side streets trying to get us to the right corner of Plaza Cibeles. At one point we were crossing a street full of pilgrims and we ended up in a disabled area. This was less than ideal because we were trapped then. Simon was in the wheelchair at that point and seeing that some of the others were going to have to pull the wheelchair up a rather high step sprang up out of it. Chris then thought we couldn't have no one in it so got in it. Someone wheeled him over and then he got out as well because the step was quite high up. It was all quite funny, especially seeing the faces of the group of volunteers sat on the bank.

After some more map consulting, and working out some new routes we got to Calle de Prim. Which was at least a little closer. However, we couldn't see anything and Mass was already at the Gospel. So after a group consultation we decided to leave, and make our way to the metro station, because we would then go and pray with the Scriptures at the hotel. Along the way we ended up going into a Mexican restaurant and having a good meal in there. The seats in there were made out of mayonnaise tubs!!

When we went down into the metro station we were all feeling quite cocky that we'd be on carriage to ourselves. That was until the train came in and it was heaving. So on we crammed, got back to the hotel and met to pray. While we were waiting for one of our group we had an interesting conversation. Then Darren led us in the prayer time, by reading the Gospel and then asked us if we had any thoughts. Some of the thoughts were really interesting including Darren's that the Gospel reflected something of the life of John Paul II.

Laura, Marie and I later went and had a cheeky glass of wine and chatted to Alan about the day. Quite a few of the groups were back quite late that night, everyone looked like they were ready for bed. But everyone seemed to have had a good first day out in Madrid.