DIOCESE OF NOVALICHES COMMISSION ON YOUTH Manila, Philippines World Youth Day

Church closer to the Youth, Youth Closer to the Church

Your Pre-Travel Guide

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Checklist
NECESSITIES Backpack (carry-on size if possible) Passport and a photocopy of it A joyful spirit Money Belt worn under clothing Warm, compact, micro-fiber sleeping bag or micro-fleece blanket for night under stars Emergency Blanket (foil) Small backpack (Day Pack) Rosary and Scapular Spending Money ($250-$500 US) Any needed Medication Wristwatch with an alarm Group Flag Hacki-sack (sand filled is best) BATHROOM ITEMS Small Towel (for simple & budget lodging) Washcloth (for simple & budget lodging) Soap (small travel size) Shampoo/Conditioner (travel size) Deodorant (travel size) Laundry Soap (hand washing) Toothbrush/Toothpaste (travel size) Brush (small) Band-aids (several for blisters) CLOTHING 5 shirts (wear one on plane) including one long sleeve for layering 2 pairs of lightweight pants or skirts 2 pairs of (modest) shorts Comfortable walking shoes Flip flops for showers (simple & budget) Sweatshirt or micro-fleece top Weather-proof jacket shell Socks, Underclothing Glasses, Contacts

OPTIONAL Small umbrella (for sun and rain) Tylenol/Advil A good book to read Small nylon bag (for dirty clothes) Camera with film or memory chip Sunscreen (small) Journal and pen Deck of cards 2 Power bars (emergency food) Hat (to block the sun) Shaving things Inflatable raft for one night on ground Ziploc bags (for stuff) Items to trade at WYD Sunglasses Modest swimsuit Earplugs (for the airplane) ADDITIONAL TIPS Money Belt: While no one expects any trouble, we absolutely recommend that you wear a money belt. In it you can keep your passport, money, plane ticket, credit card and any other very important papers. You can get these at any luggage store or online. Never, ever, ever use a purse or wallet. Fanny packs are another favorite of petty criminals. Luggage: If you happen for some unknown reason to have a checkon bag, make sure all important items are in your carry-on (medication, camera, film, copy of passport, one change of clothing incase your bag ends up in Africa). Do not lock your check-on bag because the authorities might clip the lock to check the contents. Dispensations: Priests and religious may need to bring additional items, but if you are lay, forget it. We also recommend acoustic instruments. DO NOT BRING Heavy things Things you will use only once Electronic music Illegal items

The Blessed Difficulties of WYD Suffering and Joy: One of the great things about WYD is the suffering (in part described below). Since this is a pilgrimage, suffering gives you the opportunity to more closely unite yourself with Christ on the Cross, our only hope of salvation. Accept this cross with JOY. Be willing to suffer any difficulty to encounter Jesus Christ with His vicar on Earth, Pope Benedict XVI. Be aware that joy comes from Christ and is internal, not external (based on comfort). Walking: Be prepared to walk 15K (10 miles) every day. From early in the morning until probably after midnight (in Madrid), you will mostly be on your feet or sitting on the ground. On Saturday, August 20th, pilgrims will walk from the city to a chosen destination, in the heat of the day, to be with our Holy Father that evening... and walk back Sunday afternoon in the same heat. Accept this cross with JOY. Heat: Madrid will be a hot and sticky desert in August. You will be outside for large parts of the day. Despite this situation, you are asked to dress modestly in summer clothing. Accept this cross with JOY. Crowds: WYD anticipates well over 1,000,000 pilgrims for the final events. The streets, Metros (trains), and venues will be very crowded. Expect 10 people to be in your personal space on the Metros. Accept this cross with JOY. Food: WYD food is hit or miss... mostly miss, but it's food no matter what it looks like. Eat it and smile. Lack of food is another common experience at WYD. Lines are usually very, very long (90 minutes is not unusual), venues run out and spend time trying to get more. Breakfast is small, lunch is large but not until 2pm - 3pm, and a light dinner will likely be at 10pm - 11pm. Don't complain... look around. The Spanish survive just fine on this schedule. Accept this with JOY.

Sleeping: Simple lodging is usually in a schoolroom, parish hall or gym... on the floor... and there is no air conditioning. If you choose simple lodging, bring a floor mat, or better yet, a cheap inflatable pool raft. You can use this on the final vigil as well. However, don't expect to sleep much at the vigil. Spaniards love to stay up late, singing and dancing (all night). They will probably calm down just before sunrise, giving you a couple hours to sleep before Mass begins. Accept this with JOY.

Missed connections: Group travel has it's own difficulties. Expect at least one late bus, train or plane. Also expect your group to be late and miss some connection as well. Bring a hacki-sack and whip it out at times like these. It's great group therapy. Accept these with JOY. Spiritual Preparation Importance Spiritual preparation is the most important thing you can do to make your pilgrimage the best experience. God offers extra graces to pilgrims because they are making the effort to grow closer to Him. Grace abounds for those who ask, and Grace has a greater effect on those who prepare their souls. Your life can be transformed on this pilgrimage. Ask yourself these questions... Do I want to know God better? Do I want my life transformed? How can this happen to me? Does God really care about my life?

Money Issues
Money & Food: Ask yourself, how many meals will I need to buy? World Youth Day provides basic meals for the week, but not breakfast if you have lodging other than what is provided by WYD. Fast food in Madrid will cost from 4-7 euros ($5-$9US) depending on what you get and how much you buy. A cafe may cost from 9-12 euros ($12$15US). Madrillenos do not eat large breakfasts. Lunch is larger and usually served from 2pm to 4pm in Madrid. Dinner is usually from 9pm to midnight. Recommendation: 8 euros/meal ($10US) Money & Shopping: Have you promised to bring back gifts for every cousin, friend and neighbor? If so, buy very small gifts like medals blessed by the Pope. In fact, you might want to bring the medals with you to get them blessed. WYD always has memorabilia to buy, but in large quantities it's expensive. Also consider any individual sightseeing expenses. Recommendation: 150-300 euros ($200$400US) Credit & Debit Cards: You can buy almost anything in Europe with Visa or MC. You will get the banks exchange rate minus their commission (usually 3-5%). This is a good safety net for emergencies. Be sure to call your credit card company before you travel and let them know your plans so they do not put a hold on your card. Debit cards are very handy to withdraw money anywhere in Europe. Be aware that some ATMs only allow 4-digit pins. Your bank will charge you a withdrawal fee, but you should get a good exchange rate. Only use this for larger withdrawals since the fee is charged each time. Imagine a $5US fee on a $20US w/d. Where to stash cash: WorldYouthDay.com recommends that EVERYONE use a money belt. With this, your money, passport and debit card will hide safely under your pants/skirt and will only come off when you shower. If this is uncomfortable, wear it in the back. The around-the-neck types are not very good in summer because they can be readily seen under a t-shirt. Changing Money: It's a good idea to change some money into Euros before you depart your country. Your local bank should offer this service (for a fee). The rates you will receive will not be the best, but it's worth a fee to have some local currency when you arrive. The best rates in Madrid will likely be found in the banks. Money changers vary with rates and commissions. The best rate to hope for is 3% off the official exchange rate. For example, if you would normally get 75 euros for $100US, 72 euros would be acceptable... 60 euros would not be. Check the daily rates at www.xe.com. Travelers Checks: These used to be a good idea, back in the '60s. This lousy method of bringing small amounts of money (less than $1,000US) is a costly hassle. Fees are added to the exchange rates and the regular fees for changing money. It is only a good idea if you are bringing large amounts of currency.

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