More Aussie Activities

Well, today has been pretty eventful. We started off by having the usual breakfast of granola cereal, a piece of riasen bread, butter, and jam, a fruit and nut bar and some water. We packed all of the gear we needed for the day and headed out. Luckily we got on a buss from our housing with a group from South Africa. They were nice enough to let us onto their charter buss to the train station. From there we took the long ride to Central Station, Transferred and went to North Sydney station to get onto the Bay Harbor Bridge to start video taping the pilgrims on the pilgrimage walk. We walked all the way across the bridge and waited a few hours for a small group to walk across. Everyone else took a shortcut because they were already on the right side of the bridge. We then walked down to the HUGE dock where the big ocean liners come in. Angelica did a few stand ups for her resume tape with the Sydney Opera House in the bg. We got lunch (pizza that was fancy, but was not that great tasting) and the headed to our hotel for the night. We cannot stay at the vigil tonight due to the equipment that we have to carry. Our housing is locked tonight. We were up a creek without a paddle. The hotel is small, but only a 15min walk to the IMC where we can get transportation to the venue tonight and tomorrow. We asked politely at the information desk and then said we're American media. That phrase seems to open doors, and of course i used my good looks and charm to win over the lady! :p The preview for the next few days: Tomorrow is final mass with Papa, then back to housing for some sit-down interviews. Monday afternoon we leave Sydney. Our plane has been delayed 3 hrs already due to the pope's plane departing. Hopefully it won't be delayed much more, however I fear it will be. We disembark the plane, grab all of our baggage in Honolulu for customs and then re-board. WHAT A PAIN! Hope everyone liked the video i posted, however it looks MUCH better in person. Likewise the video was compressed and blogger doesn't like to have high quality video. Guess you'll just have to see the documentary. Maybe some pictures tonight or tomorrow. Again, thanks to all who have read my blogs and commented or sent me e-mails. Its nice to know people are thinking of you when you're on the other side of the world. Sydney is absolutely amazing and this expereience has affected me. I can't to come home tho. DPI is just around the corner. I'm getting very excited for that!! See everyone sooner than later.

Just a short video from Sydney harbor and Sydney Australia. Hope you enjoy the scene as much as i did.

Today's Pictures!!

Sydney harbor from the ferry -- Angelica and Jamey in front of the Sydney Opera House -- the crew at work -- Manley Beach

Yet another day.

Lets walk through my day today. First, I got up really early to get shots of our pilgrims getting up. It was really funny getting a camera in somebody's face as soon as they wake up. :p some are mad and some just roll back over.. Breakfast was the usual, then we did about 4 sit down interviews outside. These were AWESOME!! We got some really good interviews. After this, I opted to stay with a group of pilgrims (and friends) from Duquesne for lunch. I had the weirdest combination yet, tuna with corn. I love tuna, but it was just weird with corn mixed in. Angelica and Dr. Dillon went to Mc D's for lunch. Neither like tuna... more for me! we took the long buss ride and train ride into Sydney where we took the boat ferry to Manley Beach! You didn't really think I'd get out of Sydney without going to the other beach here! We went right by the opera house which was absolutely amazing. I never thought I'd see this in my lifetime. Manley beach was a great little town with a cool shopping plaza, similar to a boardwalk. I got a few presents there, but this is where I had the highlight of my day! We went into an aboriginal store which sold indigenous Australian goods, all hand made and REALLY expensive. I got a really awesome Boomerang, genuine hand made, and looked at the Didgeridoo's. I REALLY WANT ONE! they are really expensive. Maybe I'll get one for my birthday. They guy behind the desk had one and knew how to play it! Of course i asked if he would play for me... So i ended up getting a fake Dige (Aussie Slang for Didgeridoo) and will save up for the real one. We go to somewhere else in Sydney to celebrate mass with Bishop Zubic tonight at 8 Sydney time. This is over around 9 and we will get back to housing by 11 or so.. possibly later. Tomorrow we wake up at 3 to be on buses by 4am. They take us to the starting point for the LONG walk to randwick for the vigil mass. I have no clue how long this walk is, however I'll tell you tomorrow. Our time here in Sydney is coming to a close quickly, and I have been really blessed to be here in this beautiful city. I leave here on Monday with a completely different view of people and especially the future of the Catholic Church. People here in Sydney are very nice and helpful. It has made my really consider how i have things in my life now, and how to change my life for the better.

Smelly Journalists

Well, after four days on this pilgrimige, I believe it is safe to say all three of us will need to be fumagated upon returning to the U.S. We stink!!! The shower situation isn't exactly great. They are basically wooden boxes with three shower heads. The tough part is it is about 35 degrees at night and in the morning so either way, you freeze when you get out of the shower. A fabulous way to get incredibly sick. So, it is safe to say that no one is taking regular showers unless you want pnemonia. So I guess if everyone stinks, then no one stinks. All the better for our noses!
We went to Manly Beach today. It was really nice just to relax for a bit. On the ferry ride over here, we got to see the opera house and harbour bridge - fabulous views! We went in an aboriginal shop and the one guy started playign the digiridoo for us. It was really cool.
There are so many people around no matter where you go. No matter wher you are or what you do, ther are always at least hundreds of people around you at all times. It's quite insane.
Anyway, I think that is all. Until tomorrow.

Pending Death: Jamey's View..

ok so from the sounds of Angelica's post below, the world was coming to and end. Ya, I'll agree that the two bangs were really loud, and somewhat scary, but the ride wasn't all bad. Angelica jumped like a twitchy squirl at every bump in the tracks, small noise, or light. At least we got back to where we were staying. I also saw three kids today that had hoodies on. They weren't American hoodies, but Aussie hoodies. The zippers come all the way up to the top of the hood. How weird. Likewise I just found out that we might be getting some new readers due to an e-mail blast from my mother. Welcome new readers! Please read some of our previous posts to see what was going on. Australia has been wonderful and I can't believe its still just getting started. We've only been on the ground for a few days now and we still have a few more days to go. I'm gonna work on posting a video somewhere for you all to watch.. just something small. maybe tomorrow if i have some time and a little energy left. Night'

Pending Death: Third Time's the Charm

We all had a rather interesting train ride back to our living quarters tonight. First, there was a great, loud boom and the lights went out. Then there was another boom and the lights went out. Finally, a giant bang caused screams and all of us to duck. After the last one, Jamey, Dr. Dillon and myself led the charge out of the train car and ran towards the conductor car. After we told him (and he thought we were insane) we went back into the car where at any noise, I flinched and ducked like the girl I am. So much for a quiet ride back to the school house. We all will never ride planes, trains and automobiles the same way again.