Video of the first month in USA

Early morning in the Rosewood Inn our hostess, Pam Thoreson, and her helper JoAnne, worked very hard to make us a three course breakfast. Needless to say, it was delicious.

A fresh fruit salad appetizer, a soufflé for the main course and then a French bread pudding to top it off, along with fresh juices, teas or coffee, made for a filling and most delightful way to start the day.

Even before some of us had a chance to get our run in for the day, we were met by Chuck Hoppe, Yuyudan’s dad, who brought us an amazing array of food for our lunch.

Prepared by him and his wife, Edythe, he had a huge cooler full of sandwiches, snacks, drinks and homemade pies. Chuck and Edythe always go out of their way to take care of us as we come through this section of Minnesota where they live.

Our next stop was the Pine Haven Care Center in Pine Island. Yuyudhan’s grandmother is staying there at the age of 94. All those elderly people who met us there and held the Torch gave us tremendous inspiration and energy. Their wonderful sentiments and good will really touched us.

Yuyudhan and his grandma, in a wheelchair, carried the Torch down the driveway and parking lot after our official ceremony.

We are happy that Steve Ziller, the Director, was open to us sharing our event with some of the residents there.

Heather, Sandy and Dorothy were very kind in helping the elderly under their care to be part of our ceremony.

In Rochester later, we all met with the children and staff of the Boys and Girls Club.

We were also happy to be joined by Kay Hocker from the Diversity Council of Rochester who presented her views to the children about creating harmony in diversity.

It was very similar to our views on how to create and share harmony in such a diverse world that we live in.

We are grateful to Kay and to the Directors including Erin, and Joshua of the Boys and Girls Club who made this possible.

Erik was very happy to be running in this section of Minnesota because he used to live around here and attended Winona University here also. Erik ran very far today, fueled by his happiness of running in this very scenic and, for him, nostalgic area.

He says, “It was a great run today from Eyota to Winona Minnesota. I ran 16 miles entering into the river valley of Winona County to the Mississippi River. I started out feeling low on energy but I picked up as I got into the run.

“During the run we met with Derek, Tractor, his dog, his mom Leanne and Rachel, his sister. They are very nice people from the area who were inspired by our run and stopped to find out what it was all about.

“Tony, a reporter from the local newspaper, came out in Winona to take some photos of us and then interview some of us at the hotel we were staying. I ended my run at Winona State University where I used to go to college in 96'-98. Winona is a very nice small town along the Mississippi River and nestled among the neighboring bluffs. It felt good to run through the area.”

We enjoyed a fantastic meal, compliments of the Perkins Family Restaurant. Teresa and Ryan, the supervisors, and Krysta, our wonderful waitress, all made us feel at home and fed us tremendously well. Their kindness and generosity will be remembered for a long time.

Next to the Perkins was a Quality Inn Hotel that kindly offered us four nice rooms. This kind of complimentary offering is what really makes some of our efforts possible for very practical reasons. But the kindness and oneness we feel from those who give from the heart really touches our hearts and perpetuates the harmony that we truly seek to share as well.

It was a long and eventful day indeed. We again feel so indebted to those who welcomed us and offered us harmony in so many diverse and helpful ways. We are very grateful to Yuyudhan and his family as well as our good friend and doctor, Meghabhuti Roth. After taking care of us in Minneapolis for two days they came out to run with us and organize some of the events here. We are sad to see them go as they will have to leave us tomorrow morning.

The Ever Grateful Team Harmony, U.S.A.

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