Eating Better than Tucker

It's hard to compete with Tucker's meals, but we are eating better...All of us were treated to meals by our host families upon our return from Randwick race track. Colleen, Bianca, and I had lasagna, chicken, stuffed olives, salad, fruit, and wine for me and coffee and hot-chocolate for the girls. All of our host families attended the Mass, so all were excited to talk about the day and share their emotional moments of seeing the Pope and the other pilgrims. For me, I think my most treasured part was the evening prayer vigil with the Pope.

We said good-bye to our host families yesterday mid-day and most of us headed to the Marriott. Anna Marie and Andrea went to visit another family they had met. Then we went to visit the Blessed Mary McCollup(sp?) tomb. The Australians hope she will be their first saint - a woman who traveled the country by horse-back, thousands of miles, to help people around the country. She started the Josephites here. At her shrine, we happened upon a French group with their bishop about to celebrate mass. We couldn't stay, but at least had some time in the beautiful chapel.

Back to food - then we went to Chinatown and went to a food court where (almost) everyone found something delicious. I think Bianca picked the best.

This morning, Marcin, Anna Marie and Andrea left for Adelaide. Of course they are missed by all the other kids. The rest of us headed to Bondi Beach. Bondi Beach has been my favorite tourist place. The waves were so huge, dramatic and powerful, crashing against the rocks, spraying water high into the air. We had lunch at the Bondi Beach hotel. I had pumpkin soup and hot bread, which was delicious; we could see the water, and stay warm. After our walk around the coast line, a woman at a restaurant which had already closed let us in for coffee and hot chocolate. People are very, very nice.

Then the kids rested and went to the gym, and I went to the Cathedral for Mass. This time I happened upon a huge group of Italians. Cardinal Pell celebrated the Mass with the Italian Cardinal who was responsible for WYD, plus 20 other bishops and at least 100 priests. It was a beautiful Mass - all in Italian, except for a Communion meditation in english. It's nice to see some of the pilgrims still around. Everyone's definitely more subdued.

So - the pilgrimage is about over. Tomorrow we'll take it easy and get ready to leave. I already gave away my sleeping bag and towels to lighten my load. The sneakers might be next. See you soon! Maureen