Before leaving Edinburgh, we visited Run and Become, the city's best running shop, which provides much invaluable assistance to the World Harmony Run.

They recently moved to a new premises, so the busy schedule of the Run has combined with the chaos of moving shop. Still, they were there to welcome us with smiles - and Tarit and Dhavala somehow found time to take whatever poses came into our photographers' heads.

A busy day was in store... but in all of yesterday's festivities, we hadn't had time to visit...

...the town of Bathgate. Backtracking, we visited Bathgate's Simpson Primary School, named after one of the town's most esteemed residents: medical pioneer John Young Simpson, whose invention of chloroform has saved millions from pain and suffering. It was also one of many examples of Scotland's pioneering spirit. How many great scientists and inventors, thinkers and explorers, poets and musicians, have hailed from this small land?

Not to mention athletes! The inspiration is clear with the children of Simpson Primary School, who proved to be keen runners...

... and peace-lovers.

The head teacher Louise Hamilton sent us this message the next day, "My staff and children had a fabulous day yesterday - thank you so much and sincere thanks to the runners too. It was a wonderful thing to be involved in and we wish you and the runners lots of luck on your journeys". 

We returned to Edinburgh later that morning for one of our favourite traditions: bringing our message to the Scottish Parliament.

There we met with our friend Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green Party MSP for the Lothian region, councillor for the City of Edinburgh Council, Bailey of Edinburgh City, and a talented middle-distance runner in her own right.

While many politicians have held our Torch, for only some could it be said that running with the Torch is an easy stroll.

After saying farewell to Allison, we preceded uphill on the famous Royal Mile...

...stopping to chat with Edinbughers on the way. (Edinburghers? People from Glasgow are called Gleswegians, people from London are called Londoners... but people from Hamburg are called Hamburgers. Is Edinburghers the right word?)

At the City of Edinburgh Council, Councillor Alastair Paisley, another Bailey of Edinburgh City, welcomed us to Edinburgh on behalf of the Lord Provost, George Grubb. ("Provost" is the Scottish equivalent of a Mayor, though it has an even longer tradition.) Alastair is a jovial fellow, who greeted us with rollicking Scottish good cheer, telling us about the history of his city.

A few of us, already familiar with Edinburgh through previous World Harmony Runs, agree that it's one of our favourite cities (and as World Harmony Runners, we have seen quite a few).

We were allowed to sit in the chairs. Honest!

Though the media is always informed when we were in town, some of the best coverage comes from people who notice us in the streets - with our bright tracksuits and our Torch - and want to know more. Nathaniel (Nate) Dove from Canada, filming a backpacking/travel documentary for the Exploration website, who followed us as we took in the sites and people of Edinburgh.

A Belgian media crew was also keen for a chat - which is great timing, as the Run will be in Belgium in less that two weeks.

You probably wonder: when do we have time to eat lunch? (Well, maybe you hadn't give it much thought... but we had a quick picnic at the seaside suburb of Portobello.)

This was followed by a visit to...

... St John's School in Portobello, where the children were very excited to see us.

The applause when we played the Geography Game, and they correctly guessed each of our home countries, almost rocked the assembly room. this room was too small for all the students, so they came in two groups - each of them equalling the enthusiasm and high energy of the previous group.

Because a picture is worth a thousand words (and because we're too lazy to think of any captions), we'll just tell of the St John's School experience in photos...

We then ran along the body of water that is wonderfully named the Firth of Forth.

... on to the town of North Berwick.

North Berwick is famous for its healthy eateries.

A great British culinary tradition: fish and chips! (OK, this photo shows the girls having onion rings... but they were purchased from a fish-and-chip shop, so it's close enough.) Rest assured, we later enjoyed a dinner of salad and vegetable curry. (Really! No, seriously, we really did.)

Thanks to North Berwick Sports Centre for giving us showers, so we could finish refreshed after a busy day of ceremonies and (of course) running. Amanda from the Sports Centre holds the Torch...

Text: Noivedya. Photos: Apaguha, Noivedya and friends.

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Video Message from Davidson Hepburn, President (2009 - 2011) of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for 25th Anniversary of the World Harmony Run and a vision for the decade: "Toward a Oneness-World".

Full Text of the 25th annversary message and link to 25 language informal Translations: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/25

or Click on language button for separate youtube videos wth sub titles in varous languages

See also:

• Youtube video on African experience which illustrates IYY slogan "Our Year Our Voice" International Year of Youth - Zambia World Harmony. They surprisingly mention Presidents and UN Secretary-General in a unique way!

• Listen to the World-Harmony-Run song: 2 min version // 6 min

– Noivedya

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Distance: 33 km

Team Members:
Apaguha Vesely (Czech Republic), Sandro Zincarini (Italy), Mladen Vujaklija (Croatia), Sumahat Strohn (Germany), Noivedya Juddery (Australia), Andre Carvalho Ribeiro (Portugal), Petar Mihaylov (Bulgaria), Abhejali Bernardova (Czech Republic), Satyamurti Miotello (Italy), Vladimir Ilyasov (Russian Federation), Laszlo Szente (Hungary)

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.

Gallery: See more images!

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