Wanderlust Project: The Origin

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” 

– Henry Miller

World Youth Day 2008

I’ve never been outside the Philippines until one day in 2008 when I was invited to join the World Youth Day in Sydney Australia. I was one of 33 official delegates of the Diocese of Novaliches to the big international gathering of youth.

We had a stop over at Hongkong for six hours and we ended up feasting on Noodle soup. Hongkong’s airport is one the cleanest airport I’ve ever seen. Not to mention the strict guards who doesn’t even smile.

Upon reaching Sydney International Airport, we went straight ahead to Canberra where we stayed for one week. It was one memorable experience I will forever treasure. Each day we spent in Canberra was sui generis, one of a kind.

Day 1: We slept in the parish center for a day. We were welcomed with some cookies and tea. During the night, we attended a beautiful mass con-celebrated by the local priests.

Day 2&3 is all about touring the Canberra 

Man-made Lake

Canberra Zoo

 New Parliament

Bush Dance

Day 4&5 is all about experiencing the culture of Canberra —- field games, tree-planting, a little bit of social services, and sharing our own Filipino culture as well. Also on the 5th day, was the Youth Diocesan Day wherein we get to see a glimpse of World Youth Day itself. 

Community Service to Celebrate the Feast of St. Benedict

 Diocesan Youth Day

 

My Foster Family

Mommy Maria

Moving to the second week is experiencing the ‘World Youth day’ week —- Catechism, Asian Youth Gathering, Stations of the Cross, Welcoming the Pope at Barangaroo, Pilgrim Walk, Overnight Vigil at Randwick and the World Youth Day.

The Last week was all about touring Sydney. Seeing the Three Mountains, Opera House, Sydney Tower, etc.

I experienced several firsts in this trip.

1) First Plane Ride (For about 6-7 hours)

2) First Step on Snow

My Converse Chuck Taylor shoes was so blessed.
It was able to go to 5 different countries already.
It was made in China.
It went to the U.S. for retailing in Converse stores.
My aunt bought it in Denver, Colorado.
It travelled by air from U.S. to the Philippines.
I don’t know where it landed for stop over.
Maybe, Korea…
because my grandpa usually goes to the country via Korean Airlines.
I wore it here in the Philippines.
It went to Hongkong during our stop over there.
It went to Canberra, Australia during my one week stay there.
It went to Sydney for about 2 weeks.
It even stepped on snow.
It was able to witness the World Youth Day in Sydney.
Though it’s always on the ground, it was able to feel and see the presence of Pope Benedict XVI.
It was seen by people from different countries like Poland, Netherland, France, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Korea, Germany, and a lot more. Isn’t it so blessed? ♥

I am so amazed on how my converse shoes had travelled the world.

It was only made possible through God’s grace.

I got it as a gift from my aunt and i remeber how I feel so blessed upon receiving it.

“All for the Greater Glory of God.”