Other Experiences

As a Scout, you have the opportunity to live many things, national an internationals events, community support programs, and many other things.

For instance, as far of the big planned and anticipate visiting of the Pope Johannes Paul II in 1999, I had the opportunity to serve and set as a human fence a longside the "Calzada de los Los Misterios" track way were the Pope passed heading to the "La Basilica de Guadalupe" and made his first mass in that visit.

Some of my friends call me, informing that the scouts were requested to help. So, as a catholic, this was a one time chance to be able to see the Pope.

The randevouz point was in a school near by the Basilica, on calzada de los Misterios. In the night January 22th, many scouts from different parts of the city, even from other states arrived at the school. The good vibe has in the air, all excited for the visit and the opportunity to see to His Holiness.

About 3 or 4 in the morning we were noticed to take place along side calzada Misterios. I got amazed when I saw the people sleeping in the street, carrying their mattress cushion, blankets, and pillows. The visit took place on January and the nights were still cold. Regardless this situation, moms, dads, sons and even grandmas and grandpas were sleeping, setting aside a spot to have a chance to see the Pope.

Slowly and peacefully, we took our places, mostly sleepy and with cold, but happy to have the chance. By 5 am, we watched passed the special guests, high Church priest, Bishops, Religious man and woman, after them all media personnel. We could say hello to Javier Alatorre and Lily Tellez who passed in front of us.

The first sights of light showed up, and the thrill grown. Finally around 8 am the vehicles passed and the excitement increase. Suddenly we started to listen a kind of sound wave, growing and getting close to us, a lots of white-yellow flags waved repeatedly. In the distance we started to see a well known vehicle, it was the "Papamovil" with it's particular case form, an the see-through glass wall, letting us see it's inside.

An there it was, this emblematic person, dressed up in a shining white, waving his hand and looking in all directions.

You can imagine the excitement of all of us when we saw him, many people shouted, clapped their hands, and some other cried. I was excited too, felling a great happiness inside. Due the speed of the vehicle, we just saw him for a few seconds, but were long enough to felt all this excitement.

Nobody moved after he passed, we all knew that he passed again in the returning way. 3 hours passed, and the sun was more brighter than ever. Of course, we got a nice lunch, sandwich, fruit juice and some candy. We hadn't ate since the night, perhaps 6 or 7 hours before.

Finally he passed again, in front of us, and again all the people around were excited. This time he was sitting in his chair, looking tired and he wasn't saluting.

After the car passed, the people started to leave. My friends and I returned to the school were all our wear was, and returned to our homes. Tired but happy for been in that place and witnessed an historic moment.

Just for the record, Karol Wojtyla was a scout in Poland. Years after he become into Pope Johannes Paul II