Welcome back to the USA

Well peeps, we finally made it back to the good old United States. After leaving our housing we boarded the first buss back to the Sydney International Airport. When we got there, we were ushered off to baggage check where we waited about 45 min for people to show up and take our luggage. Angelica went and sniffed out a Starbucks (that girl can find a Starbucks anywhere in the world, I swear) and got me a Mcdonalds BigMac. We waited, checked our luggage and hurried off to security and customs. We found our gate and sat for about an hour and a half then boarded the plane. We were scheduled to leave at 3pm, however we taxied to the runway at 2:45. The flight to Honolulu was uneventful, and I grabbed some sleep. Arriving in Honolulu was great, but we had to take everything, claim our checked baggage and go through customs. This took very little time considering how many people that went through. Angelica found another Starbucks and so graciously bought me a blueberry (my favorite) muffin and an apple juice. She got a "tall iced white mocha in a grande cup with extra whip." If you know Angelica, you know that its the only thing she gets there and is completely obsessed with it. I can't knock her for it, because she likes it and it makes her happy. We both went shopping in the terminal for some gifts and took a pic or two of us in Hawaii. We both bought "lays" even though they were plastic (and I noticed later, made in china). We boarded the plane for the final trip back home. Almost 9 hrs later, we touched down in Pittsburgh and disembarked to a hero's welcome. Coming down the escalator was amazing. There were at least a thousand people there with banners, flags, balloons, and of course tons of hugs. Baggage claim was problematic due to the number of people, however everybody eventually went home, tired and exhausted. My round trip journey to the other side of the world was amazing. I look forward to another World Youth Day, however I do not want to be pilgrim media. One or the other will be fine with me. I want to thank everyone for their love and support thorough out this trip and for being loyal to our blog. Having a strong support system at home only made this trip easier, knowing that all of you were following along every step of the way. Keep checking our blog for more updates and what else is going on "post Sydney" So I say thank you to all in the typical Australian style: "Cheers Mate"

G'day Sydney Australia

Well, today, it is with deep regret that I leave Sydney. This town has been wonderful. The people, the places, the events, the sights, the sounds all have been amazing. I was truly blessed to be given this opportunity to travel to a far off country to do what I do. I want to thank everyone for their continuing support thoughout the week, and say that I look forward to telling each and every one of you how my travels were. I do miss home, however leaving this city is bitter sweet. I had such a good time here, and had such a great experience that it is hard to leave. So I say to Sydney, good bye, but not forever. I will return. Next time I will kite fly and windsurf on Bondi Beach, and windsurf and scuba dive on the great barrier reef. Please keep us in mind as we take the long flight back home. And as always, keep checking the blog in the future to see the progress of the documentary and how its turning out. I will post some video segments on here for your viewing pleasure.

Yours
~Jamey

Cheers, Sydney!

Well, today is the last day of our trip in Sydney. I am excited to go home, not going to lie. Lots of packing to do this morning and lots to get ready. So I will make this short and sweet. Talk to you when we get back into the States!

G'day!

Our Accomodations video tour

Here's the video tour of our living quarters. hehe, very informal. Hope you enjoy. This is the first time we got home before 9pm australia time and I had a few moments to goof off. For your viewing pleasure, a Jamey Stewart Production, I present to you: "The Tour" (various orchestral blasts are heard, along with a choir singing ahhhh)

Pilgrims and Pictures and Pope Mobiles - Oh, My!

Today was the last day for World Youth Day week. It was the final mass with Pope Benedict. I got a great shot of him in the Pope-mobile waving to the crowd. It was fabulous. Also, when we were leaving we saw the Pope-mobile up close and personal. It is really neat. Has an icon towards where the Pope faces of Mary and the infant. AND it's a Mercedes. The Pope rides in style. The pilgrims all seemed in good spirits from freezing in the cold last night. There was a lot of strys still sleeping when we got there. Most were glad to be a part of the experience.
I am very hungry right now. Got a lot of work done this morning. So, for now I will say adieu and try to find some food! Benedetto!!!!

Final Mass and final WYD event

Well.. its over. We just left the final mass for wyd 2008. The pope flew over us all in his private helicopter and then arrived via the pope-mobile (which is a Mercedes Benz btw). We sat in the media section due to all pilgrim sections being closed off. We just couldn't get to our group before the mass started, then we would be stuck. When the pope arrived, he drove through the crowd in his pope-mobile. I got a pretty good view of him, however angelica won the battle of shots with her little camera, it has a longer zoom.. We stuck around for a while then bugged out of mass, trying to avoid the 1/2 million people rush out of there. On the walk out, we happened upon the pope-mobile. It was on its way out, so we followed it. We ended up walking basically right up to it and took some video. It was empty none the less, but as I got a good shot of the seat, I thought, "so this is what its like to be the pope..." :p We took our transportation back (being media, we get special shuttle buses to and from the venue) to the Media Center, and here I sit, writing my blog so all of my faithful readers can keep up with my travels. In a few minutes I will lock up my camera and 45lb bag in a locker and us three will go eat lunch together as people, not journalists. After, we will get or things from IMC, then head back to housing to get some sit down interviews. THEN WE LEAVE! I suppose I should try to say something deep here.. When I was offered this trip to Australia, I thought, "wow, what a great place to go," however I didn't realize it was a pilgrimage for myself. Being media, we got some special privileges however it still was a journey, spiritually, for me. Being in the presence of the Holy Father was inspiring. Sitting in a crowd of 1/2 million people to celebrate mass was inspiring. Sydney itself was inspiring. I come back tomorrow with a different view of people, the world, and of course my faith. I didn't expect to come back with any experience, but what I learned is that even though you don't come for an experience, you have one no matter what. The trip, pilgrimage, was the experience.

One more day to go...

Today was quite the eventful one. Got to walk across the Harbour Bridge and see the multitudes of flags waved proudly by their native people. VERY COOL! There are so many languages here but all saying the same prayers. also, very interesting. We are at the media center waiting to go to the Vigil. Not very talkative today, EXTREMELY tired from this whirlwind week. Here is a cheer for all of you to learn that the Australians say incesently:

One Person: Aussie, Aussie, Aussie

All: OIY! OIY! OIY!

One Person: Aussie, Aussie, Aussie

All: OIY! OIY! OIY!

One Person: Aussie!

All: OIY!

One Person: Aussie!

All: OIY!

One Person: Aussie, Aussie, Aussie

All: OIY! OIY! OIY!

Cheers, Mate!