WORLD YOUTH DAY 2016(POLAND).2

This is the continuation of The World youth day (1), If you missed out on it Click here to read it. This post was also written by Annie thanks to her. Hope you enjoy it?

Hello again... Yes it is I bringing you part 2 of the the WYD low downs. So, I did mention in the first part that the events were divided into 2 parts. Well Krakow, Poland was the destination for the main event.

Now if we thought the first part was packed, Krakow was overflowing. People everywhere!!! Not just people, happy people from practically every country in the world. I know I have mentioned how hospitable Polish people are but not only do they stop and smile at you as you walk past but you can feel the warmth and genuine appreciation from their expressions. On another note if you think Russian language is difficult, Polish.... hmm don't even go there. Though the basic words were a challenge to master, the people will smile at your attempts and meet you more than half way with their very high levels of English.

Once again we were opportuned to be accommodated by host families (lucky us). Here we were handed very colourful back packs ( Red, yellow and blue colours of the WYD programme) which contained necessities for the duration and the best part Meal tickets (Big grin, yes I love food!! sue me) compared to our first location, Krakow was clearly a contrast, modern, busy, nosier, livelier and all the shenanigans attached to a big city. Here we sort of had more time at our disposal (most of the events were in the evening) so it was up to us to do whatever we please and since we had free transport, the choices were endless. First up we moved around the city (did I say moved?? more like  squeezed around with the fear of getting lost), encountered characters, meeting people, sight seeing, getting history lesson .We had a mixer (social gathering) one evening that was so much fun, talents showcased and dancing overload. Next, we went to a salt mine, which wasn't lacking in history of course but was definitely packing fresh air. See eh pollution is bad!!! The air down there was so easy to breathe and cool, there was salt everywhere!!! With most of the monuments preserved by salt. Everyone deserves to breathe the air at that salt mine.

We saw the POPE!!!! totally unplanned; just roaming the streets and happened to be where he was scheduled to pass after hours of waiting and losing interest there he was in the cute pope mobile, waving past tons of overly active youths screaming their voices away. The following day was spent shopping, Things were ridiculously affordable with discounts that facilitated good buys. It is clearly a good destination for shopping.

Finally it came to an end with a torrential storm that swept over the city of Krakow on that Sunday afternoon (yes we got caught in it, thank God for the raincoats provided. Befitting if I must say, my mum would have called it "showers of blessing" ). One of my favourite moments was definitely the the mass in English organised by Nigerian delegates (call of home sickness) but it was honestly one of the best feelings I have had in a while. Culture really is beautiful. Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures. But that was one of many; we got lost, drenched, pushed, stepped upon, met amazing people, learnt new songs, jubilated on the streets, chanted phrases we had no inkling to.  Many would say the 8 mile walk to and from the site (campus misericordae) put us in an unenviable position, However, it made the WYD experience a true pilgrimage. It gave "the faith" flows through cultural arteries. I will never forget the silence that was, as the bells rung during benediction. The joy of the sounds of languages, clapping, drumming and of feet hitting the streets, testimonies, confessions, and love for one another while proudly waving the flag of your own country, letting go of preconceptions and barriers as we united in songs and prayers. People who decided that love was more powerful than fear, especially in this era of terrorist related attacks.

In this era of technology which is meant to bring us together but often separates us, the WYD experience was so powerful in the sense that people and their experiences were no longer anonymous, they have a name, a face, a story (part of pope Francis' speech). The WYD is a proof that, if we choose love and friendship anything is possible.

I would like to encourage everyone to take part in pope Francis challenge:- "To take the path of the "craziness" of our God, who teaches us to encounter him through the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick and imprisoned neighbour". Today's world is one in which we depend on each other, one in which working in equality across cultures, languages, faith, we can find peace and progress.

"Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy" 

See you in WYD panama 2019...God Willing!!!

As usual, if you read this post till the end you 're a "Bawse"!!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by.