World Youth Day 2019 USA Leader Guides International Leader Guide | Page 42

backpacks to go through a metal detector or be Language
left outside of security. Panamanians speak Spanish, and some have a
Panamá works on a similar electrical system as working knowledge of English. However,
the United States. In Panama City, the voltage knowing a few phrases in Spanish such as
is 120 volts, in other parts of the country it can “Yes” (“Sí”), “No” (“No”), “Where is the
be 110 volts. Electrical appliances in the U.S. bathroom?” (“Dónde está el baño”), and
are typically rated 110-120 volts, so electrical “Thank You” (“Gracias”) will go a long way to
adapters are not needed. Electric wall sockets help communicate. To ask for help or to get
may be the two-pronged ungrounded or the someone’s attention, say, “Disculpe.” If you
three-pronged grounded wall plates as found bump into to someone or cut somebody off
throughout the United States. while walking, say, “Pardón.” Pilgrims may
consider packing a small Spanish phrase book.
Packing for the Vigil Walk & Mass If your group includes fluent Spanish speakers
For this two-day experience of “roughing it,” (or your group meets others who speak both
pilgrims will only want to bring what they need Spanish and English), you might also consider
for Saturday and Sunday. In addition to the gear inviting them to assist those pilgrims who only
they normally carry during WYD week, pilgrims know English, which would also be helpful for
will need: a sleeping bag or blanket (or a pilgrim fellowship, camaraderie, and cross-
lightweight sleeping bag liner), a ground cloth cultural learning. In addition, it is good for
to prevent dew or rain from soaking the pilgrims to know some basic phrases of the
sleeping bag or blanket (a shower curtain from other central WYD languages (French,
a dollar store works great), a sleeping pad (a German, and Italian) in order to converse with
cheap pool mattress can do the job), flashlight, other pilgrims. Leaders can work with pilgrim
change of clothes, toothbrush and toothpaste, groups to learn and practice basic phrases and
and small bags of medicine. This is where words together. Ask the pilgrims what language
having attachment points on your backpack can they study in school and ask them to take the
be valuable. Climbing carabineers are especially lead on teaching the others that language.
handy for attaching things to the backpack.
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