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"A day in the life of a helper is fun, tiring, joyful, exhausting, noisy, exhilarating, peaceful, emotional, musical.... in other words not
like any other experience I have ever encountered." |
| Each pilgrimage is different in it's own unique way. The children are an absolute joy to be with for that week and I think that every year I go I get as much
out of the children as they do from going. Each group always has a wonderful mix of children to look after and there is always 1 or 2 that emerge early on as the real characters. I was
fortunate enough last year to be looking after a real character and he kept the whole group laughing for the entire week and laughter is a huge part of these pilgrimages - thank you
Robert. |
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On a typical day you will rise at about 6:30am in order to get yourself and your child ready and down for breakfast. After breakfast you may
have an hour or so in which to get yourselves ready for the morning outing which could be anything from shopping, a train ride or a tour of the sites of this wonderful town.
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| Lunch is usually back at the hotel - you always eat as a group. Followed by another hour or so of rest(?!?!). Then it's out again for another walk
or trip depending on what's on the schedule for the day. Each day is filled and there is so much to see and do that a week is not always enough.
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Dinner is at around 7pm and again is enjoyed back at the hotel. But the day doesn't stop here. After dinner it's out round the town again and
there is nothing like the torch light procession or the Grotto at night to help you unwind from the hectic day. Then it's back to the hotel for the last time and it's bedtime for the children
and relaxation time for the helpers - after you have prepared for the following day!!!
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| During each Pilgrimage there is in excess of 5000 people in Lourdes from H.C.P.T. and making new friends is never a problem it's like being in
the largest family in existence and it's a very happy family. It's very hard to describe exactly what a week in Lourdes is like with the H.C.P.T. You will return totally exhausted - it's an
active week, and probably with a sore throat - there's a lot of singing. But it is without a doubt one of the most exhilarating and rewarding experiences of your life. I would say that the only
way you can truly understand what I am trying to tell you is to EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF!!! |
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Mark P.
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Systems Ltd
Last modified 27 Nov 2003 |