We started the day at the country home of Dan, Kate and Arwen in Athens, Georgia. They had been quite kind to us ever since we had arrived there yesterday. With a bag of fresh picked lettuce and spinach offered by Kate who is an avid gardener—when she is not at work as a computer analyst—we set out for our daily run after making lunch for 11 of us on the team.

Francesco braves the excited childrens. What a smile!

In the afternoon we were greeted by about 100 children and staff members at the Boys and Girls Club of North Druid Hills. They were extremely enthusiastic as their cheers pierced the sound barrier when we ran in with the Harmony Torch and ran a lap around the crowd with lots of smiles and ‘high fives’.

We are very grateful to Kim and Iris who led the children in periodic cheering for us as they held up homemade flags of many countries. When Iris took the Torch and started to run a lap around the auditorium, all the children joined in as the enthusiasm for running with the torch reach the max and some of us even had to move out of the way.

Thank you to Michael Hoffner for putting a wonderful roof over our weary heads. (and legs)

After this exciting ceremony and all of our running for the day out of the way, we had one more small group of people to meet before we checked into our hotel rooms kindly offered by the Sleep Inn nearby.

After two of the vehicles left the parking lot my teams’car, Greeny, would not start. No one’s keys could turn the ignition switch, so we had to change our plans on the spot.

It was very nice to reunite with a long time supporter and friend.

Two teams went to the South Fulton Medical Center where they met with former mayor of Eastpoint Patsy Jo Hilliard.

Arpan tries his expertise on the van. Please don't try this at home.

Meanwhile, after 30 minutes of attempting to get the ignition switch to turn, we finally had a mobile locksmith come and bail us out.

With a very well equipped van and his son in tow, Jose was able to remove the ignition switch and replace all the little ‘pins’ to get us on the road again. He did this all from his workshop van while we told Jose Jr. all about the World Harmony Run.

R. Thomas Grille Restaurant in Atlanta.

Dinner was on the house at the R. Thomas Grille Restaurant in Atlanta. Much thanks goes to Cesar, Richard and Jim and our great waiters who numbered four at one time when the entrees came out.

Salil recommends the Sloppy Joe.

It was difficult to decide which was better, the food or the service. Both were fantastic and were just complemented by the ambience and the design of this unique restaurant. There were exotic birds outside in the alleyway and sculptures and statues including a miniature version of the Statue of Liberty in front. It was a wonderful way to end the long, hot and eventful day as we move further along the road of harmony, never knowing what to expect.

A special thanks to Gita and Raya—owners of a gas station in Winder, GA—for offering us a case of water. They had visited the Aurobindo Ashram and were happy to hear about our endeavours.

Arpan and Team Harmony

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