BYO

Because of the damage done by the World Youth Day pilgrims, large areas of Hyde Park have been returfed and currently are off limits, including seats. This chap had the right idea - he brought his own.

Go Home!

This is beneath my office window. They aren't supposed to be there, they are supposed to be going home.

Apparently between 30,000 and 50,000 pilgrims decided to hold an unannounced vigil. At the time of this video they were being moved on from Hyde Park to the Domain, where they still are. We have just been told (4.30 pm) to leave before the vigil finishes at 5.30 this evening if we don't want to get stuck in the building for hours.

WYD (11)

WYD (10)

In praise of volunteers.

My camera has decided not to cooperate (fear I may have a corrupt card) so I can't post the photo that I intended to, or upload any of the shots taken yesterday. This is a photo taken earlier in the week of a volunteer sitting in the cold at the top of Martin Place directing pilgrims. She had just started her shift and was rostered on till 11.00 pm. She didn't think anyone would be bringing her a hot drink.

Skywatch Friday

In keeping with World Youth Day week. This is St Mary's Cathedral, focus of many WYD activities.

For more Skywatch from around the world drop in to the home of Sky Watch Friday.

WYD (9)

WYD (8)

WYD (7)

Sometimes I feel trapped.

WYD (6)

Early morning roadblocks and the gathering hordes.

WYD (5)

Pilgrims beflagged, bedaypacked and dressed in all the colours of the rainbow, volunteers in purple and blue or red and yellow, and the sign on a workmate's desk. It was surprisingly quiet in my part of town yesterday. The workers seem to have disappeared, leaving the place to the pilgrims. This is terrific for the WYD merchandising tent which is going great guns but not so good for the small businesses such as coffee shops who are missing many of their regular customers and not seeing any trade from the pilgrims. Going to be interesting to see how the road blocks affect us.

WYD (4)

More World Youth Day annoyances. The Domain is now completely closed to the public and the art installation which I featured a week or so ago is completely overshadowed by marquees and fencing.

WYD (3)

Bonus photo for today. Spot the contradiction.

WYD (2)

More World Youth Day preparations - early morning police presence in Hyde Park, including the riot squad.

WYD

Preparations for World Youth Day (to be held in Sydney from 15 to 20 July) are now in full swing. From early last week marquees were being erected in Hyde Park, which will be closed to ordinary pedestrian access for much of WYD week. The whole event will cause a great deal of inconvenience and annoyance to many city workers, especially those in the immediate vicinity of St Mary's Cathedral, and as most of the little darlings are being housed and fed by the various Catholic dioceses, do very little for the city in terms of income. Don't think of showing your annoyance, either. Under the new regulations introduced in time for WYD, people who refuse to stop engaging in conduct that causes annoyance or inconvenience to pilgrims can be arrested and fined up to $5,500. So much for free speech.