Day 1

France: 00:59 18/7/13 Rio: 20:00 17/7/13

Well I will admit, it's taken me a while to start this!
I am currently sat in a Boeing 747 en route from Paris to Rio de Janeiro and I'm not going to lie I'm scared! The last time I was on an aeroplane really was a good while ago and it was for a family holiday to Lanzarote l. This, however is quite a different experience altogether because I am PETRIFIED of flying!!!! On the 40 minute flight from Heathrow to Paris, I was sat next to Eleanor and she had to hold my hand and talk me through take off and landing, I didn't realise how bad it would be! However, when I boarded my 10hour 25 minute flight to Rio earlier this evening, I soon realised I wasn't sitting near anyone I knew and it quite literally felt like I was flying solo for this one. Fr Des knew exactly how I felt about flying after landing in Paris. He said to me this evening as we were about to board 'Kate, do not worry! There is absolutely nothing to worry about! We have entrusted this trip to Mary's capable hands like we have done with most of our lives to God' he then blessed me, hugged me and we boarded the plane.
I'm currently sat here writing just after my inflight meal of chicken and carrots in mustard sauce with various other courses and accompanied by a glass of champagne and a bottle of merlot. What a great way to end a very long and tiring journey and what I can imagine will be our final bit of luxury for a good while!
So far we've been able to meet some of the wyd pilgrims from France and Gibraltar in CDG airport France. It even seems that pilgrims who have never met before can sing the night away at 11pm in the departure lounge! Anyway I need to try and sleep for the rest of the flight so I'm not say here having a panic attack all night so I shall leave you.

Goodnight, Godbless as my nana always said to me

Kate and the Rio Crew!
xoxoxoxoxoxo

Hi all!

Hi all!
My name is Kate Thorley and I am travelling to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil for World Youth Day on 17th-29th of July. This blog will be where I will try to write daily, if I can, about what I'm doing and how great it is.
I'll try to post before I go with all the preparations I am making for the journey and to let you all know how I'm doing too. I'll do my best to keep you posted, as long as I have a wifi connection out there :)
God bless
Kate