Posted on 08/18/2005 7:01:03 AM PDT by NYer
Sorry for not posting sooner. It's been pretty hectic here. I'll try to settle down tonight and send a long one explaining the events of the last few days. Right now I'm sitting in the street just to the side of Koeln's Cathedral, behind a barricade waiting for the Pope to arrive. I've been made an honorary daughter of Eire today because I am traveling with a group of four young Irishmen with two large Irish flags. We've been taking turns holding it, and I was amused when a young Brazilian woman asked me if I am Irish.
Right now the sun is shining down on us as we sit in the street with the great Koeln Cathedral towering overhead. We've staked a claim to a great spot right along the street where the Pope will pass. We have some sandwiches, bananas, apple cookies, and big bottles of water. I do wish I had thought to bring an umbrella to protect myself and my fellow Irish from the sun.
The Knights of Malta are passing out cups of water and little "hats" they made out of newspaper to protect against the sun.
Combo shows how the wind blows away Pope Benedict XVI's cap as he arrives at the airport in Cologne, western Germany, on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005. Pope Benedict XVI arrived on his first foreign trip as pontiff to take part in the Roman Catholic Church's 20th World Youth Day in Cologne. (AP Photo/Eckehard Schulz)
The first thing I thought of when I saw those pictures is the number the Pope has of each article clothing he wears. I would imagine that between the dust, grease, food, etc., his white-colored clothing gets stained pretty easily!
Alright!! GipperGal's gone Irish! Always knew she had good taste in friends :-).
AP - Thu Aug 18, 9:07 AM ET
Pope Benedict XVI delivers his speech during his welcoming ceremony at the airport near Cologne, western Germany, on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005. Pope Benedict XVI arrived on his first foreign trip as pontiff to take part in the Roman Catholic Church's 20th World Youth Day in Cologne. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito, Pool)
Alright!! GipperGal's gone Irish! Always knew she had good taste in friends :-).
AP - Thu Aug 18, 9:07 AM ET
Pope Benedict XVI delivers his speech during his welcoming ceremony at the airport near Cologne, western Germany, on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005. Pope Benedict XVI arrived on his first foreign trip as pontiff to take part in the Roman Catholic Church's 20th World Youth Day in Cologne. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito, Pool)
Clorox is our "friend".
Awfully windy in Koeln today.
BTW - EWTN is providing live coverage of the Welcoming Ceremonies and Mass, beginning at 10:30 EST.
GipperGal, I will try to find all the threads you sent to NYer and link them on this offical thread. Hope that's OK with you!
Excellent safety organization. With two body doubles roaming around, the Pope is safe.
A Franciscan nun from Germany waits on the bank of the river Rhine in Cologne, Germany, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005 prior to the visit of Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Benedict XVI arrived on his first foreign trip as pontiff to take part in the Roman Catholic Church's 20th World Youth Day in Cologne. (AP Photo/Franka Bruns)
Looks like Sister is waiting to give B-16 a big wave of approval.
Look at those adorable reading glasses. And I'm crazy about his snowy hair. (I almost expect him to take his teeth out, next :-).
ROFL!!!
First redneck Pope?
Ping
What is that supposed to mean?
It's a little joke, about how Pope Benedict reminds me of my great-uncle, a World War II hero and all-around great American. A compliment.
If you felt it was over-familiar, I apologize. When I love someone, I take him to my heart; perhaps it seems a little silly, to some, but it's me.
I just caught the Pope speaking in English. I think he's speaking in French now.
I believe this nun was caught red-handed.
As a wandering daughter of Eire, I am delighted that GipperGal's is one of us (Lass! Carrying the flag!) during her World Youth Day experience!
BENEDIKT! GOTT GESCHICKT!
GIPPERGAL at WYD - "Under the Koeln Sun" [August 18, 2005]
GIPPER GAL's Diary for August 15 - "A boat on the Rhine!"[August 16, 2005]
DIARY UPDATE or how GipperGal charmed the Italians and VV! [August 14, 2005]
Gipper Gal's Friday Diary Entry - the train trip from Italy to Germany [August 14, 2005]
Nightmare Train! - GipperGal's Italian version of the 'Orient Express'[August 12, 2005]
Benedetto Viva! Part II [Augusut 11, 2005]
"BEN-NEE-DETTO" - Become Pope, get a soccer chant - GipperGal at Papal Audience [ August 10, 2005]
On A Wing And A Prayer - GipperGal Takes Off For World Youth Day [August 8, 2005]
Thanks ... that made my day ;-D!
Seems I picked a good day to call in sick. Have spent most of the day watching the live coverage. Because GG is outfitted with a BlackBerry, I was in constant communication with her and the Irishmen. They were positioned outside Cologne Cathedral awaiting the Holy Father's arrival and I sent them updates on how far down the Rhine he had progressed, etc., along with tidbits being fed by the telejournalist. For example - 400,000 youth were expected but as of last night, they counted close to 1 million! 4,000 priests were expected but as of last night, close to 10,000 had arrived. They were prepared to supply albs and cassocks to 5000 priests and told the others to bring their own ... they simply ran out.
One of ABC's reports on the Holy Father's arrival is filled with lies, saying that his welcome was lukewarm and the crowds were less than his predecessors. #$%^&
GG is exhausted, and now understands the meaning of the word "pilgrim" :-). Her feet are sore from walking and standing, as you can well imagine. But the enthusiasm is electric.
EWTN's coverage has been excellent. Fr. Francis Mary and his team reported from the banks of the Rhine before Vatican Radio took over the major portions of the coverage. B-16 was absolutely radiant, beeming from ear to ear.
AP - Thu Aug 18, 1:24 PM ET
Pilgrims wait for Pope Benedict XVI's boat at the river Rhine in Cologne, Germany, on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005. Pope Benedict XVI arrived Thursday on his first foreign trip as pontiff to take part in the Roman Catholic Church's 20th World Youth Day in Cologne. (AP Photo/ Jan Bauer)
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