Our first days in Spain

Pilgrimage day 2 for us. It's funny it feels like we've hear for our whole life, slipping into the way of life so easily! Our city of hosting has been Avila, it's such a beautiful city, the guide said including roman, gothic and medieval buildings, all I know I have a sort of love for this tranquil city.

Fear not however families from home!!! We are being well fed, three times a day, however lunch is almost always ( actually always) a dining experience at one of the local bars, cafes and eateries :D  I have a deep and meaningful love affair with tapas....tapas tapas tapas, could live off you despite not knowing what's goes in it.


Now before you leaps to conclusions, yes our religious cups are being filled, once, twice and three times over. Monumental, towering cathedrals and churches fill Avila at every turn, each one more impressive than the last. The sense of spirituality and religiosity is spread from the very bricks of Avila and the people. The towering walls of Avila serve to remind me of what we are capable of through God, the walls standing longer than our country!! Despite the bustle and the busyness of the city, it is easy to find a sense of tranquility and peace, especially gazing out on the landscape and being reminded that St Therese once walked the same paths and carried out her mission in the very streets.

As you can imagine, it is easy to capture the spirit of God and His people and begin preparation for the coming World Youth Week. Especially with the members of the group that has embarked, the momentum is slowly building up, ready for Cuatro Vientos and the final mass with Pope Benedict!

Before I go  I have a small story to share, now as background, I firmly believe in "getting into the spirit of things" so I purchased for myself a fantastic, completely functional and fashionable wooden walking stick. Following that I also bought a waterskin, can I get " go you total pilgrim"!? In any case, heaps into it, as a result....I have now picked up the nickname John, as in....John the Baptist. -_- as you can guess, it is an incredible experience!!!!!

Mark Williams