Today was a rather uneventful day for us in terms of scheduled ceremonies or media. We ran through many small towns as we carried the Torch eastward on route 92 and 20 towards Albany which we will reach tomorrow. It was beautiful nonetheless, and we met up with some very nice people who would stop to ask us what we are doing and why. Usually the response is very positive and supportive when people who do not know about us take the time to stop and inquire. It is always very uplifting to us when this happens because it is so spontaneous and sincere.

After being greeted by a number of people in some of the small towns we ran through this morning, such as Cazenovia and Morrisville, most of my run was surrounded by beautiful countryside and farmlands in this central portion of New York State. We have now covered over 10,000 miles since we began this journey in April. Although we have been entering into more dense population areas and cities recently, we still have some stretches of farms, rolling hills and nature in all its splendour.

Thank you very much Frosty Acres Campground for a wonderful night's stay.

The following is a poem I started writing a while ago as we ran through some of the rural areas that give us so much energy and joy. I thought I might just finish this simple poem now and offer it here while we still have the inspiration, time and space to see and appreciate the value of such natural blessings from this earth.

Weaving Dreams

Rolling hills in shades of green,

Groves of majestic trees

Scattered in between

The endless fields of corn and soy.

Life continues to sustain

And entertain,

As the melodious birds

Sing and dance

Weightless in the ether,

And we tread heavily

On manmade paths,

Weaving dreams

In the fabric of life

With Harmony,

Goodwill and Peace.

Arpan DeAngelo

Running through New York State

To run through N.Y. State is especially beautiful because it is the state where we will finish the run. People in N.Y. welcome us with open arms and hearts. It was some time ago that I had so many people coming and even running towards me and asking me about what we are doing.

Just yesterday, a lady came running to me from her backyard to give me some ice water.

I gave her the torch and she was holding it very high up in the air. She was looking at the flame and speaking out loud, how much she wishes there will be harmony and peace in the world. Her eyes and her face were shining brightly, when she gave me back the torch. She put her hand on my shoulder, almost as if we were old friends, and told me to have a good and safe rest of my journey. I waved goodbye to her and left with a light and warm feeling around me.

The closer the Run gets to its end, the more I realize that it is not only me who is bringing a message to the people out here in the country, but that I get back so much in return. So much everybody has to give and to offer to the world, if it just gets a chance to come to the fore.

The Run is giving people the inspiration to show all the good inside them and to express it with little gestures to the runners. When somebody is bringing you ice water or showing you the way by coming with you for almost half a mile are things which make me smile and make me feel grateful and respectful to people I will meet whom I don’t know yet.

Anja

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