So yesterday was the Pope's Welcoming Ceremony. Work went as usual, except that we stopped handing out press credentials early. At one point, I was enlisted as translator outside of the fort. By this point, barricades were being put up along Avenida Atlantica and pilgrims were starting to gather, not knowing what happened here. One group from California made me laugh because they sent a question asker, who asked everyone's first question. "Will the Pope drive by here?"
My honest answer was that I was uniformed of the logistics of the operation, but based on the location of the barricades, it seemed to be a safe bet. He was so happy, he went back to the group and they erupted in cheers and laughter. One girl called me over with an "Oi!" and gave me a little bag with a USA pin and candy. She then began to explain with mime gestures that it was candy (gathers fingers to mouth). I must have looked very Brazilian and non-American.
After the barricades were up, I was sent back in. On my way in, I was almost sent back out to the street to wait with other volunteers. I explained that all my things were still upstairs in the accreditation stand, so he let me go and said to come back. As I went up, a security friend whispered to me to run and not come back. Further up, I was almost not allowed back in, but again, another security friend saved me as one of my co-workers told the other security guy that I don't know, that I was clear to pass.
Once upstairs, there was more confusion because we didn't quite know what we were doing. Then we were told that we form the Pope's human chain. That's why I was so close and didn't take photos or video. I was on the papal side of the barricade and he drove right by.
Day two was essentially a repeat of yesterday. I tried taking a picture this time, and failed. Let me just say, Pope Francis has an infectious smile.
We go to Corcovado tonight, for real this time.
Ayer era la bienvenida del Papa. El trabajo pasó como lo normal, pero dejamos de dar credenciales de prensa temprano. En un punto, me sacaron de la fuerte para trabajar como traductora. Para este punto, ya subían las barreras por la Avenida Atlántica y peregrinos comenzaron a llegar sin saber que pasaba. Un grupo de California me hicieron reír porque mandaron alguien a preguntar lo que todos querían saber: ¿Por aquí saldrá el Papa?
Le dije la verdad, no sé. No me dijeron nada de las logísticas, pero por la manera en la cual subían todo y cerraban las calles, pensaba que era posible. Estuvo tan alegre, regresó al grupo y todos gritaban de felicidad. Una chica me gritó oi para que yo viniera, y me dio un broche de EUA y dulces. Comenzó a explicarme con gestos que eran dulces (dedos a la boca). Supongo que parecía muy brasileña y nada americana.
Después de subir las barreras, me mandaron adentro. Entrando, por poco me regresaron afuera para esperar con la gente y los voluntarios. Expliqué que mis cosas seguían arriba, entonces me dejó pasar y dijo que debo regresar. Al subir, seguridad me dijo que me quedaba arriba. Más arriba, de nuevo por poco me mandan afuera de nuevo, pero otro amigo en seguridad le explicó al otro que yo no conocía que yo tenía permiso para subir.
Ya arriba, hubo más confusión porque no se sabía que íbamos a hacer. De allí nos dijeron que eramos el cordón de protección del Papa. Por eso, quedé yo tan cerca a él y no tomé fotos o vídeo. Estuve en su lado de la barrera y manejó por allí.
Hoy era igual que ayer. Traté de tomar foto, y no salió. Déjenme decir que Papa Francisco tiene sonrisa hermosa.
Esta noche si subimos a Corcovado. Seguro.
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