Scenes From Down Under

The Register has just put up another photo slideshow: This one is called "Memories" and gives you highlights from World Youth Day 2008. Find the slideshow here. And don't forget to check out all of Tim Drake's Register stories about the events. Enjoy!

-- Tom Hoopes

Stations of the Cross Slideshow

A slideshow of highlights from the Sydney Stations of the Cross is up at the ncRegister.com, named "Amazing Grace" after one of the songs sung ... Click here to see it. On Friday, Tim's astonishing interview with the actors who played Jesus and Mary will be available for non-subscribers.

-- Tom Hoopes

Home Never Looked So Good

Nearly 36 hours after my travel saga began at the Sydney Airport, I'm finally back in Minnesota, waiting for my plane to depart on the final leg of my journey. I've been so blessed: A trip to Australia, unforgettable encounters with the Pope and with pilgrims, and now a safe journey halfway across the world! As my editor Tom Hoopes says (literally): With all of that, it would be unthinkable to complain. But God gave me a special added grace: To make me even happier to be home than I would have been already.

The Pilgrims' Pilgrimage Continues

Well, I'm now in Los Angeles with several hours to kill. Because of the lateness of our flight from Australia, I missed my connecting flights. Now I'm due to depart from LAX at midnight, arriving in Minneapolis at 5 a.m. and then departing Minneapolis for St. Cloud at  9 a.m.

Several pilgrims on the LAX-bound plane made the remark that "it's all a part of the pilgrimage." As tired and frustrated as they are, they maintain good spirits, entering into the spiritual benefits to be gained from their sacrifices. Pope Benedict XVI referred to these sacrifices in one of his later speeches, remarking on the difficulties facing many of the pilgrims in trying to get to a place that is so far away.

The pilgrimage continues...

Flight Update

It's 8:10 p.m., Tuesday, Australia-time. The latest information we've been given is that the plane has been repaired and we're due to board at 8:30 p.m. for a 9:00 p.m. departure. That means an arrival in Los Angeles around 5:00 p.m. More than likely there will be no outgoing Northwest flights to Minneapolis that late, so I'm probably stuck in Los Angeles for the evening. The saga of the long journey home continues...

Stuck in Sydney

Well, I thought I'd been released from airport purgatory and gone to "Heaven" when I discovered that not only was I in business class, but I was in the upper "bubble" on the 747 (a place I've never seen before) with 21 other passengers - complete with completely relaxing seats with a massage function, free champagne, a hot towel, free pajamas, and other amenities that we who fly in economy didn't even know were available. However, the promise of airport "Heaven" was short-lived. After two and a half hours, we were told to disembark and head back to the Qantas lounge. There were fueling problems and a loose panel on the wing.

So, I'm back in the lounge longing to be anywhere but here - knowing that it will now be impossible for me to make my next two connecting flights, and desiring to be home where I belong, with my wife and children.

Airport time, of course, is different than normal time. The captain tells you something will be 10 minutes, and 30-40 minutes later he comes on again with another update. And the lack of communication about what is really taking place is something found only in the airline industry. Therefore, we have no idea when we'll be flying out. It could be a couple hours. It could be four hours. It could be tomorrow. Sydney Airport has a flying curfew. No planes can depart or arrive between midnight and 6 a.m. to reduce noise in Sydney at night. So, if the problem isn't taken care of in the next five hours, we'll be here overnight.

As difficult as it is, I'm trying to offer my sufferings up for the woman sitting next to me. Her father passed away this past weekend and she's trying to make it to Dallas for the visitation on Wednesday and the funeral on Thursday. It's at times like this when you realize just how far away Australia is from the rest of the world. If you would, please say a prayer that this woman can make it home for her father's wake and funeral.

-- Tim Drake

Speaking with Madrid's Cardinal

While waiting in the Qantas lounge this afternoon, I had the opportunity to speak with Madrid Cardinal Antonio Maria Ruoco Varela. He and a group of priests and bishops from Spain were watching a YouTube video of Spanish pilgrims. Cardinal Varela and an auxiliary bishop told me that they were excited to be hosting WYD in 2011. According to the auxiliary bishop, Cardinal Varela was Archbishop of Compostela when WYD was held there. That means, that not only is Spain hosting WYD for a second time, but Cardinal Varela will be the first Archbishop to host WYD twice.

Sydney's Thank You

The day that the Pope left, there was a sky-writing plane in the sky over Sydney. As you can see, it spelled out the words "Grazia" - thank you - in the sky.

When it was finished spelling the word, a group of Italians near me erupted into cheers. Such is the spirit of World Youth Day.

For My Kids

I caught grief from my children last September when I returned home from Australia with no tales of encounters with Australia's indigenous animals, other than an encounter with a stuffed kangaroo in a Cairns retail store.

So, I could hardly escape Sydney without some encounter with Australia's wildlife. This morning, with about an hour before I had to depart for the airport (now it appears that could have been extended by four hours), I walked to the Darling Harbour Wildlife exhibit. There, all behind glass, were most of Australia's native species.

My children, especially Claire - our animal afficianado - and Peter - "Mr. Science" - will be happy to see the photos and hear the stories of my seeing the Aussie animals. At left was a younger kangaroo that took some curiosity to me.

Below, is an image of a sleeping koala. I was at the exhibit when the place first opened, so all of the koalas were still clinging to their trees sleeping.

The View from Here

Well, someone must be praying. Airport purgatory just got a little better. Perhaps our release will be soon.

First, I was upgraded from economy to business class. When you're traveling 14+ hours, you'll take all the leg and elbow room you can get. This reminds me of my reward after traveling home from WYD Toronto. When I reached the airport, they not only put me on an earlier flight, but also upgraded me(my first and probably only time) to first class.

Secondly, they gave me access to the Qantas lounge, a comfy place filled with free snacks, beverages, computer access, and the above view of the city of Sydney. Things are looking up.