World Youth Day 2019 USA Leader Guides International Leader Guide | Page 40

clothing for five or six days and plan on Pilgrims should wear layers because of the
wearing some items twice. If your pilgrimage is fluctuating weather patterns; this is especially
longer (with days in the diocese, additional tours or important for the Saturday walking pilgrimage
travel days), advise pilgrims to bring only the and overnight vigil. Those 24 hours may go
clothing they need (rather than extra outfits) – from warm to cool and back to warm.
or to bring travel soap so they can wear some
things more than once.
Some other tips:
● Pack extra thin socks (which can take
There is no need for any formal clothing at almost no space and wash/dry quickly);
WYD, so pilgrims should pack functional, wearing two at once can limit the
casual apparel. Some religious shrines and formation of blisters.
churches enforce a modest dress code requiring
● Bring a washcloth or small towel to rub
that shoulders and knees be covered, so off some of the dirt caked in your skin
pilgrims should be prepared for that. In general, or clothes with something other than
pilgrims should wear modest and appropriate what you’re wearing.
clothing throughout the WYD pilgrimage,
● Bring a roll of toilet paper with you in
keeping in mind that they represent their parish, the event that the portable toilets do
diocese/eparchy, movement, and country. not have this, or if you need something
to wipe up spills or sweat.
Pilgrims will walk a great deal WYD, so
travelers should bring sturdy, well broken-in The WYD Backpack vs. Your Own
shoes along with foot care or a blister kit Pilgrims are encouraged to bring their own
(available at local drug stores). The weather in backpacks or one from the WYDUSA store
Panamá in January has constant high rather than relying on the backpacks that
temperatures (highs between 86 and 92 degrees; Panamá will provide. While the official WYD
lows averaging around 72 degrees), and while it backpack is a great perk that comes with
is generally not humid, there tends to be registration (and a wonderful memento), the
consistent cloud coverage and moderate wind. quality, size, and design of the pack may not fit
Pilgrimage guides and pilgrims are encouraged your pilgrims’ needs. In addition, there will be
to check the forecast so that they can bring hundreds of thousands of identical Panamá
appropriate clothing for the weather conditions.
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