My European Adventure

This is a very long overdue. I wasn't able to get around to post because I busy with school since I had to catch up with all the PTs and exams I missed. It was stressful but I was able to live through it. Anyway, last August 10 I had my first international flight. I was one of the delegates for IBYC and WYD (JMJ Madrid). From Manila, we went to Singapore and from there took a connecting flight to Paris.

We arrived at Paris but we just stayed in the train station. We went out of the train station just to check out the place but that was as far as we got.

Charles de Gaule Airport

Outside the station

We then got on 2 trains to Barcelona and from the station took a bus to Montserrat. Montserrat was a very beautiful mountain. It is in Catalonia which is a very very beautiful place. That was where IBYC was held. We met some people from other countries and I totally had a blast. We went hiking. We had talks, deanery sessions, mass and other religious activities. The food was good and there's one little thing I will never forget there...

By the way, there are three ways to get to Montserrat, by bus, train or cable car. There are also hotels and restaurants which can accommodate pilgrims. I'm not sure about how much the fare and food, though.

Statue

Abbey Church of Our Lady of Montserrat and Plaza

Claud and I with Montserrat

From Montserrat, a bus took us to Madrid for JMJ Madrid (WYD). We resided at a gym for the rest of our stay. By the way, we stayed at the outskirts of Madrid so there was nothing to do. After two days, we started for our journey to Lourdes, France. We took a train (lots of trains, in fact). It took us half a day to travel to Lourdes. We took many trains from Madrid and going up and down the train was the exhausting. There are also lots of hotels and inns in Lourdes which can accommodate pilgrims.

The church was amazing. It was so beautiful and it looked like a dream. The town was also peaceful and just like every French town which was cold and rainy. The rosary during the evening was also spectacular. There were many people. It was a shame we weren't able to go early, though. Anyway, we collected holy water in small vials which were our pasalubong.

Tin and I

Our Lady of Lourdes

Night Vigil

After two days we went back to Madrid to participate in the JMJ activities. Weren't able to participate much because of the many pilgrims. We weren't able to attend the vigil and the mass. It was cool though that we were able to get on buses and trains for free. We also ate at this Indian restaurant which had good fries but we weren't able to enjoy our order since we didn't pick the good tasting ones.

We were able to go shopping in Madrid. I bought accessories and shoes (ESPADRILLS!! REAL SPANISH ONES!). I also bought other pasalubong for family and friends. We were also able to meet a Filipino saleslady in one of the shops. We also went to Prado Museum which I totally loved. We got in for free since we were pilgrims (JMJ). While walking down the halls of the museum, I felt more determined to accomplish my dream of being a curator.

Ms. Wana, Claud and I on the bus to the train station

In the bus

Claud and I at Indian Restaurant

Prado Museum

Ms. Wana and I walking to Cuatro Vientos

Cuatro Vientos, spot the Philippine Flag

After JMJ activities, we went to Parque Europa. It was a park full of Europe's many landmarks. It was really cool because it felt like we traveled all of Europe in just an hour. Some of the landmarks there were, the Eiffel Tower, Trevi Fountain, London Bridge, Statue of David, Berlin Wall and the Open theater in Greece. It's easy to get there and there is no entrance fee.

Ms. Wana

London Bridge

Trevi Fountain

Eiffel Tower with Me, Kuya AP, Claud, Kuya Justine and Ms. Wana

Flags

From Madrid, we took a train to Barcelona then headed for the airport. We left our stuff at the airport and went around Barcelona but had limited time since we were catching our flight on the same day. We went to Sagrada Familia but some of us (unfortunately, me) weren't able to enter because we left our JMJ IDs. We were able to take pictures with the facade.

Towers in Barcelona

City Hall

Me and the monument

Me and Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia

We then boarded the plane and when I sat down, I felt sad. I felt like I was leaving home again. I made a lot of friends and had the time of my life bonding with Ms. Wana and Claud. I didn't get the Monte Carlo trip I wanted but that can wait. During the trip, I was able to learn many things:

1. All countries have different cultures; we're not all the same

2. Filipinos have a strong connection wherever in the world they may be

3. Mama Mary will always guide you wherever you are, especially when you pray to her

4. Most important: It's when you're a thousand miles from home, you will know who you are and gain the confidence to be just that person.

I promise I will return to Europe in two years, when I'm eighteen. I want to go back with my sister and my three beloved best friends. Even if I don't go gallivanting all over Europe, at least I want to return to Catalonia. It's now at the top of my favorite places on earth. Trust me, you have to add it to your list of places you have to go before you die.