La Primera Dia de JMJ

In Spanish, World Youth Day is called la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud (the World Journey of the Youth), and the entirety of Madrid is excited with anticipation for the two million pilgrims piling in and hundreds of activities set up for the week.

Our first day was spent in an attempt to sign in and get our credentials. We first went to Santiago's church, where we were told to go to another place, where we were told to go to the airport, where we were told to go elsewhere, which finally had it. We spent an hour running around and another five hours in line waiting to get checked in. They didn't have any bags left, so we would have to go back to Santiago's church (which he did for us the next day).

When we got back, we jumped in the pool, ate, and then quickly got ready for Mass in the centre of town. The mass was chaotic, as they were doing construction for future events that blocked the screens set up so everyone could see the altar. Afterward, we walked around the main square with the family until everyone was too tired to continue. We then headed back, ate, and went to sleep.

Damian y Jaime con la bandera del Vaticano. 

Ines con la bandera de los Estados Unidos.