Francesco has been eating up the miles so far.

Hard to get the smile off Edi's face when he's running.

After leaving Albany (Georgia) in the early morning hours of a beautiful day we headed south towards Tallahassee (Florida). Running on the sides of the roads that have those `funny` ruffles, that one can barely run on, didn`t give our already a little bit tired muscles so much joy.

Julian is wisely building his mileage every few days.

The streets were rolling, just as one likes. Little hills! Up and down! Lots of green and all different kinds of trees made the running so much easier. A little breeze around to cool one down. Just as if NATURE would want to make it easier for us!

Well, Arpan? "MIles, what miles?" He was made to run.

Like some days when I am running my last miles and feel tired and start to think about only finishing my miles, something nice would happen. People would honk more often or wave or give me the thumbs up sign while passing by or even stop to ask what I am running for. Just as if HEAVEN would want to make it easier for us!

Ulugbek's mobility his slowly returning. As you can see, he's happy about that.

Unfortunately today the girls’ team shrunk to half of its size. Only me!! Teekhnata and Atulya left the run here in Tallahassee and will hopefully come back soon!! Luckily 3 more girls will come all the way up from Tampa and join the team tomorrow morning. So the girls’ team will be four times as big as it is now!!!

Atulya enjoys "his" new purse.

Thank you again to Atulya and Teekhnata who were great team members and friends to all of us.

Anja (Germany)

The boys chowed on some pizza and salad.

We are not only grateful to those who are part of our running team at any time during these four months, but we also owe a great debt of gratitude to those who support us in many different ways. In Tallahasse, we were generously treated to great pizza, salads and drinks at the Pizza Hut near our motel. John and Steve, the managers, were very kind and understanding of our efforts to carry the torch throughout this country and made sure that we were well fed for one night. This kind of support is essential and extremely helpful to us.

Our accommodations were also taken care of by the Collegiate Village Inn in Tallahassee as well. Along with a very nice swimming pool to ease our tired muscles, we had wireless internet service to send this along to you all and friendly service as well.

The World Harmony Run Team

Julian is working out the route. Arpan brings the torch to Tallahassee.

As we ran into Tallahassee memories came flooding back. You see, I went to college at Florida State University, met Atulya and years later we got married in their small courthouse. While I lived in Tallahassee there was emotional upheaval as my entire life was changing direction and my memories are bittersweet because after I got married I abruptly left the town and headed off to a new life, severing relationships and connections that I valued.

I also love the city itself for its greenery. I felt very connected to nature when I lived here and would often spend afternoons in secret crystal clear springs to which only locals know the exact dirt roads to find. I was lucky to be blessed with the knowledge of a few of these inspiring swimming holes which were always surrounded by magical cypress trees sprouting directly from the water. I loved it here and to this day, whenever I see a cypress tree I feel an inner pull.

So to be able to revisit this city as part of the World Harmony team is a great honor and a blessing.

Teekhnata 'meets the parents' Karen and Ray. Ray is on the left. :-)

The highlight of the day was the arrival of my parents. It had been over 2 years since I had seen them last and Atulya had not seen them for 5 years. So it was a joyful reunion under our majestic oak. They were very kind to drive 5 hours from their home to join us. It is the plan that we shall leave the run now and go back to Clearwater, where they live, for a weeklong visit.

The team gathers at a special tree and plague honouring Sri Chinmoy's dedication to world harmony.

So again there is a bittersweet parting in Tallahassee. I am very happy to be able to spend time with my parents and I am very sad to say good-bye to my running teammates. Having been on the run two times previously, I can say with some small authority that this is an exemplary team, devoted to the run’s message of harmony beginning within the individual. I am especially sad to say good-bye to my nearly constant companion on the run, Anja. We spent every day on the same team, since the women’s team was so small, and we became close friends discovering many similarities in our outlooks on life. She is an incredibly strong part of the team and I wish her and all of the team a successful journey to the west where I hold a small hope that I will be able to rejoin them.

Teekhnata

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