Goran’s First Report from the Road

I have been on the road with the World Harmony Run for four days only, but it feels like much longer. It must be coming from the very thing that we are trying to achieve: harmony. Each day is better than the previous one—I really mean it!

To sum up the first three days, I mostly did running and was observing my teammates co I could learn and jump in to help them wherever needed.

Today we were refreshed at a pool at the Holiday Inn Holidome in Lawrence. They were very kind to us and gave us four complimentary rooms. I later got to run with Homagni and Damon on Team B, the second team out for the day.

In the morning, all three teams were greeted by the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce with the Vice Mayor offering his kind words of welcome and support. He especially commented on the need to influence the children in positive ways and explained how in Lawrence there is much outreach to children. We are very grateful to Lawrence for welcoming us so warmly, especially Lisa Patterson who organized our arrival to the wonderful Welcome Center at the Riverside Park.

The local T.V. station was there as well, following us along the road as we ran into town. Linda was able to have an interview for the station as well.

We are so grateful to Quisnos Subs for offering each of our ten team members a complimentary lunch of foot-long sandwishes which were so delicious.

Soon it was time for our team to start our run for the day. Our feet took us from outside of Lawrence, Kansas to Ottawa, (Kansas, not Canada). During my run, a local radio reporter came up to me and made a short interview. Then Damon was out on his run and local newpaper photographer from the Herald, started taking photos. He found out about our run from a woman in a local restaurant who saw Damon running past with the lit torch.

Soon after our run was over, we had to drive to our accommodations for the night. We were supposed to camp out but the park turned out to be only for R.V.’s and no place to pitch tents. Our team took immediate action again for another emergency situation. We had no success after a few attempts to find a motel to stay in. Finally, on our last try at the Tioga Suites Hotel in Chanute, Kansas we met the sweetest man, the owner of the hotel, Todd Johnson and his lovely wife Helen. They kindly offered us 3 rooms and were very understanding and supportive of our situation.

As we checked in we were transported to another world. This classic old hotel was newly renovated and the rooms each had names of some famous person who had a connection with Kansas in some way. Judy Garland, Amelia Earhart and many other notable people had their own engraved signs by a room door. We suggest you check out this classic hotel on their website at www.tiogasuites.com so if your travel brings you to southern Kansas you have this wonderful place to stay.

So to finish our day here, the meaning of this day was not to expect even certain things but to be open for life. It is much bigger than we see it and so is world harmony. We are all an important part of it and without each one of us it would not be the same. We all have something to give.

Goran (Yugoslavia)

Carbondale Opens Its Heart To Us

Our women’s team was on another part of the course today, but had to travel off the course a ways to visit the Carbondale Elementary School who were very anxious to have us visit there. We were improperly informed that the school was in Topeka, and as Maria writes:

We didn’t realize until we reached Topeka, that the school we were looking for was not in Topeka, but in Carbondale, a town 20 miles away. Both towns had 4th St. and a little bridge... The Principal was laughing when he heard that we are not 5 minutes away, but in fact 20 miles away. We shortened the distance and found the mythical school soon.

Around 300 children waited anxiously to meet the international runners. I felt that everything was new for them: the blue flag, the torch and the accents. The word Viking in the name of the school inspired me to make the connection—as Vikings were exploring the world for more freedom and lands, the runners explore the world for more harmony and peace. Our performances and harmony song arose many smiles on the faces and soon we were showered with variety of questions, from what cars do we drive to how the torch keeps the flame on.

We offered a presentation to the older students first, explaining what we were doing and how. They all seemed quite interested and enthused about our travels for world Harmony.

Then we ran with a group of them in the school yard, visiting the younger children who were having a small track meet that day. They too had much enthusiasm and energy when we ran around and then explained how our relay works.

Visiting schools is very uplifting for us, for it is the children who are the hope for a future world of harmony. All children seem naturally receptive to harmony at an early age. If that can be encouraged and nurtured in the schools throughout their educational experiences growing up, then it is more likely that harmony and understanding on all levels will manifest in our future world. We are so grateful to the schools to take time out to invite us in and share some of our experiences with them and at the same time learn about their valuable experiences and thoughts as well.

The last stop in this school was at the big playground with maybe 3-4 classes of little children. No matter how much or what you speak to them, the way they take the torch and look at the flame unites all your dreams for harmony in one simple look.

Principal Ed Gerhardt was so nice to us and offered a wonderful comment afterwards. He said, “On behalf of the Carbondale Attendance Center and students we thank the members of the World Harmony Run for sharing their experiences and their enthusiasm for world peace with the students and staff. Students were impressed with your dedication to the cause of world peace and your willingness to contribute a part of your lives to that cause. They specially enjoyed hearing from each of the runners and learning a world or two of their language. We wish you the best as you continue your journey across Kansas and the United States . You have brought the world closer to us.”

That says it all.

Maria (Bulgaria)

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