One has to admit that it is not a typical sight to see a runner with a flaming torch running down a secondary highway full of cars and trucks. Even though we always run safely on the shoulders or sidewalks, if there are any, we are definitely a surprising and unusual sight to most of the drivers and pedestrians alike. Those who may have heard about what we are doing through the media may offer us their enthusiastic greetings by waving, honking or even stopping. Some of the many who do not know about our journey may also have an enthusiastic and joyful response. This really thrills me gives me lots of hope and energy to carry on through the long days on the road.

Today I had two experiences of these types. One was the spontaneous reaction of a young couple walking their children in strollers in a park across the street from where I was running. I am sure they did not know what I was doing or where I was going, but they clapped loudly and screamed across the street enthusiastic words of support. This makes me feel that what we are doing really does touch the hearts of those who are living mostly in the heart.

The other memorable and significant experience today was with a group of elderly people at the Frampton House in Clinton, S.C. This is a Presbyterian Home for the elderly run by Mary Addison, a wonderfully youthful and highly motivated woman who wholeheartedly embraced our philosophy and welcomed us into the home. She organized many of the residents there to greet us as our women’s team ran in. After a wonderful ceremony which included the release of many colorful balloons representing everyone’s prayers and wishes for harmony in the world, the runners sang the world Harmony Run song for the residents as they joined us in clapping with tremendous enthusiasm and joy. We also had some time afterwards to get more acquainted with those who were able to stay around. I got to meet and talk to Bibi McSwain and her sister Emily Dillard who were so moved and grateful for our event. Also Francis Stroup and Kate Speer and Evelyn Perkins as well a number of others who live at the Frampton House all gave us tremendous joy with their heartfelt sincerity and energy that seemed so youthful for their age.

We are so grateful to all those at the Frampton House who joined us today. We also have tremendous gratitude for Kirit, the owner of the Clinton Hotel who offered us 6 complimentary rooms to stay in tonight. His concern and heartfelt attitude will surely not be forgotten as we try to live up to his shining example of harmony and friendship.

Arpan DeAngelo

USA

The other day I received good wishes from a very kind friend (Thank you Agnes!) and she was also saying that I looked so happy in the photos if I ran in Heaven. She was absolutely right because sometimes I am not sure myself either if I am running in America or in some heavenly dream land.

As a member of the international World Harmony Team I am having the most beautiful experience of my life running through America. To explore America's outer and inner diversity has always been my dream since I was a child. But to be frank this run is beyond all my dreams.

I think the torch that we carry is the real secret. It is such a beautiful symbol of harmony and light and it opens the heart of the local people and the runners as well. Secret #2 is the team itself, which I am proud of to belong to. I feel so lucky because in the team we have real harmony, understanding and of course lots of fun. In our simple way we try to promote harmony in ourselves and our small community which is always the first step towards world harmony. (And so far we have suceeded.)

Let me share a beautiful experience from yesterday. We started running early in the morning from Raleigh to Salisbury where we met 8 local runners. They ran with us 8 miles to Kannapolis. They were all exceptional people. The organizer was LTC Jim Duncan who was a very inspiring person in many ways. He wore our T-shirt of the previous run which was 4 year ago. he contacted the police (so we got an escort all the way) and the school. He has been a runner for many years now, he has 9 grandchildren (some of them are also runners) and a wife whom he adores. At the age of 63 (even though he looks much younger) he still studies for his Master's degree. I think he is somebody who can really feel the significance of world harmony and understanding.

Running 8 miles with a group at a comfortable pace is a great chance to chat and hear some life stories too. All local runners from Salisbury were truly inspiring people. (Some of them took the day off in order to meet and run with us. One runner kept running after recovering from a serious injury. And another one starts his training at 5 every morning—which was quite inspiring for me personally.)

With such great people and with a very happy atmosphere, we covered the distance from Salisbury to China Grove Middle School 25 minutes ahead of schedule. The principle had arranged a very nice reception for us. We met the 7th and 8th graders who asked many curious questions about the details of the run. We were also presented Cheerwine (by the local runners)—the famous southern soda that we enjoyed a lot.

After running our miles for the day (about 8-11 miles each) we jumped into the car and went to the supermarket to buy food for dinner that evening. Still wearing our running shorts and World Harmony Run t-shirts we were asked by a young man with his little daughter what we were running for. Although in that moment we were running for food, we explained to him the idea of the run. Being a runner and cyclist himself, he got very enthusiastic and very kindly supported his with sports supplements that he had quickly grabbed from his car.

Meeting such great people is the most beautiful part of the World Harmony Run. We get so much strength to carry on by knowing that we are not alone in our dream for world harmony.

Linda Zay

Hungary

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