A prayer for Patrick

Blog by Jerri Clout/ Special to Baytoday.ca

August 1st - midnight! – Day Two

What a day! We took a bus tour and got oriented with the city. We are going to be here for ten days and have to find our way around so we thought this would be very helpful and we were right. It is quite a size, being among the largest cities in the world at approximately 22 million! There are many parks with lots of trees (300 hectares) and fountains with greater meaning than decoration. We also passed alot of the significant museums along with the largest public square (plaza) in Mexico, the Zocalo. In the Zocalo there are many local venders selling handcrafted objects. On the edge of the plaza is the Metropolitan Cathedral. It is the most beautiful building I have ever seen. The architecture in the city is so intricate. The cathedral is gorgeous inside and out. The alter is made completely of gold! Mom and I went to the side alter as the priest was saying mass and said a prayer for Patrick.

On the tour we passed the Auditorio Nacional which is where the opening ceremonies will be held on Sunday night. It is a HUGE center, beautiful architecture. I can’t wait to see the inside of the building.

In our hotel, there is certainly a buzz about the conference; the Ontario AIDS Network is set up for the delegates who are staying at this hotel ... even in the elevator, speaking to other people who are here for the conference. There are people from all different nationalities all over our hotel. It is certainly an interesting feeling listening to many conversations all around you and not understanding any of it! Although our Spanish is getting better already. Mom understands it better and I speak it better.

Tomorrow, we will sign in for the conference and pick up our registration materials! Well, off to sleep for me, it has been a long day.

Buenos notches,
Jerri

Jerri will be sending BayToday a daily blog update, however, if you would like more information, please check out her websites : www.patrick4life.org or www.youth4youth.net. Also, feel free to email Jerri at [email protected]