World Youth Day 2008, Sydney Australia

[Prinia]

Some reports :)

thanks to COCO
I've been on my feet since 6:30am and my feet are killing me. But I can't go to bed without bringing you guys up to date. I didn't realised that my mobile battery was low and about to die until I was about to send a text again when Guy appeared on stage. What a disaster!!! I nearly had a heart attack

I have never been more proud of Guy than today. In front of an international capacity audience Guy blew them away. They were dancing, calling out for more and just lapping it up. The crowd were in a dimension of leisure. And the atmosphere was electrifying. I bet Guy really got a buzz from it.

'Hold on I'm coming" was received with a thunderous reception. The crowd let all their inhibitions go and just freak out. It was wondrous to watch and be part of.

Then Guy took a break and Paulini came on.

On Guy's return the crowd went bonkers.
Guy sang 'Angels Brought Me Here' and the crowd sang along with him with gusto. :wub: I was so proud at this moment and with a smile from ear to ear. Then came 'Taller Stronger Better'. This was so powerful and I just felt weak at the knees and felt like a marshmallow (but a very happy marshmallow LOL).

When Guy sang 'Amazing Grace' I just have no words. It was SUPERB :thumbsup_anim: Guy sang another song but sorry guys my brain just closed down in sympathy with my feet LOL

By the time Guy sang 'Elevator Love' he had the crowd at fever pitch and it was like watching a multitude of people moving in unison and mutual enjoyment and appreciation. After Guy other bands followed and it was about this time when people started to disperse. And theresa and I limped off into the darkness just following the throng of pilgrims and I can assure you there were wall to wall pilgrims and you could hardly moved.

The sad part is most of the exits going to public transport were blocked off which meant everyone had to walk incredibly long distances to get to transport, which in this case is Central station. What a nightmare. I was such agony my feet were hurting so much I just could not walk any further and decided to take a taxi and drop Teresa at Townhall station. And here I am.

Well, we're still having comp problems here at home but an IT technician is coming to tomorrow. So hopefully, I can post pics then. In the meantime here's some that I manage to down load but took a looong time :blink: :D






The pics are mixture of from the large screen and on stage. Even though were right up the front, there was a security barrier in front of us and the main stage was further back from this. :)
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc206/mabuhay1/edf7ec79.jpg

[Prinia]

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc206/mabuhay1/ee8b6c71.jpg


http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc206/mabuhay1/54817904.jpg


http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d51/Debz75/WYD%20merch%20launch/81937616.jpg

[Prinia]

OH WHAT A NIGHT... GUY IS WORLDCLASS SUPERSTAR!!!

Like Liz, I was SO PROUD of Guy last night. Everyone LOVES him! wub_anim.gif He is such a World Class Performer, exuded so much confidence and the CROWD went NUTS! He was SUPER HOT, SUPER CUTE and SUPER APPEALING. I arrived home past midnight, tired and soar after 14 hours of standing, but all I can think of was GUY and how I loved him MORE after last night! I was SO PROUD to be his fan!

It was so spine tingling hearing everyone singing and swaying to RECEIVE THE POWER. wub_anim.gif wub_anim.gif It was sang at the beginning of the Opening mass, and it was also sang at the end of the Opening mass by the choir, and in both instances, everyone was singing Alleluia Alleluia! whistle.gif

We were with a group from Fiji and they love him. They were looking forward to seeing him. Then, later there was group from Singapore who stood behind us, and they were looking forward to seeing Guy and Gary. They said that Gary went to their cathechesis, and he was great and handsome! biggrin.gif The Fijians and Singaporeans said they loved Guy since ABMH. I showed them my accreditation pass which Guy signed, and they were all in AWE. biggrin.gif One of them even took a picture of Guy's signature. biggrin.gif I'll post this pic later. Then we heard cheers from the other end, must be the Americans. They were chanting We Want Guy! We Want Guy! thumbsup_anim.gif

The concert started at 7:30 with performances from an Aboriginal group which included Casey Donovan, the Qantas Australian Girls choir and Tempus. Damien Leith came next and he sang Night of my life, Hallelujah, and With or Without You (U2). He was great and got great reception. Then the crowd cheered We Want Guy! We Want Guy! again biggrin.gif Then Guy, Paulini and Gary were introduced! guitar.gif The crowd erupted in HUGE cheers. Gary performed with the CDB (?) and sang Let's Groove Tonight (a huge hit) plus another number.

Then Guy came on and there was pandemonium! guitar.gif He sang the Memphis medley of In the Midnight hour/Knock on Wood/Hold On I'm Coming. People were dancing, bopping, jumping up and down. They cheered widly particularly at the last bit when HOIC's tune became faster and faster. Then Guy left the stage, and Paulini had her set. Paulini sang 3 songs including a gospel medley like I Surrender All, a fast dance number, and a slow number. This black American girl behind us sang with Paulini, and she had a great voice too.

Then Guy came back and belted ABMH! Wow such high notes, and everyone swayed and sang with him. He followed that with the spell-binding performance of TSB and a gospel medley, intoducing the songs with such passion. He talked about what inspired him and Gary in writing RTP, and with a bible on his hand, he read Acts 1:8. He then sang Amazing Grace, How Great is Jesus (?), and RTP. Everyone sang with him, and knew every word. So heartwarming scenes of mass singing, esp RTP! wub_anim.gif wub_anim.gif Guy ended his set with a HUGE number, Elevator Love! guitar.gif Everyone was bopping and jumping to the showman!

Guy really put on a world class performance. His song choices were great, starting and ending with fast numbers, and singing inspirational songs in-between particularly aimed at WYD. In fact, the WYD pilgrims is the perfect audience for Guy. Young, fun, hip and God-loving. It was indeed such a memorable night for all of us. wub_anim.gif wub_anim.gif

I'll see what pics I have but as my camera is now quite old, I might not have any good shots to share. I'll see


this report from Theresa, one of the volunteers

[Prinia]

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c217/Prinia/GuyatWYDfinal.jpg

from today



http://www4catholics.blogspot.com/2008/07/...-youth-day.html

from teensmum

Q
Found some footage
Starts at 28.30
http://video.wyd2008.org/default.aspx?Medi...ec-faa40c51150f


other videos are on the last

try for the Prelude - when you can hear Guy singing "I Surrender All"
"Falling in Love With Jesus"
and "Receive the Power"
as the Pope is in the PopeMobile.

I must say, this has been an extraordinary event, a superb week. And I wish I had been more a part of it. While it is termed a youth event, certainly adults of all ages are taking part.

It is NOT purely Catholic, some 100 or so Catholics / Pilgrims were hosted out by an Islamic school, and the Jewish community has also been involved, apart from the other Christian communities.

:)

and from earlier in the week - great concert for the pilgrims

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/teensmum/0614952700.jpg

[Prinia]

YouTube - WYD SYD 2008 - Receive the Power - Guy Sebastian & Paulini


just one youtube

but of course click on that one, and so many more will come up.

I particularly like the ones that have been added, showing the walk across the bridge, and the final mass, with the Spanish yelling Viva Espana and waving their flags.

We've had the usual silly people come on board the various youtubes which is sad, because so many are obviously having trouble but others are interesting and of course our lovely believers who are there to enjoy themselves and their peace and happiness that they find.

I'll be back more near the end of the week - now, due to being very shortstaffed - I have to work extra time!!! I am sooo hanging out for 'me' time!