Today was the first day of ceremonies here and it was a day filled with many wonderful people. Our first destination was the Oak Springs Elementary School. Jeromy arranged this ceremony with the help of Renee Harvey, the physical education teacher at Oak Springs. About 300 children and teachers, staff and parents were there to greet us in the playground where we had an exciting ceremony. A very long banner and other artwork decorated the pavilion where we met with the school as we talked and sang about harmony and friendship.

The music teacher, Mrs. Sahualla, led the children in the World Harmony Run song to greet us and then together with us and all the children before our run with them around the track nearby. We are very grateful to all the children and teachers and staff who also participated including the Principal, Ms. Monica Woods, Mrs. Pamela Reynolds, the art teacher.

Our second meeting was at the Central Presbyterian Church in downtown Austin. Their motto is “Deliberately Diverse, Fully Inclusive.” Very similar to our own philosophy, it was a joy to meet some of the members there from the AAIM organization, or Austin Area Interreligious Ministries. Emilee Whitehurst, the Director of AAIM was there to greet us along with Tom Linker, the head teacher of the ESL Program there, or English as a Second Language, and Lubna Zeidan, the ESL Coordinator for AAIM, and some of the ESL teachers.

Many students were also present, representing the countries of the Congo, Cuba, Burundi, Lebanon, India, Trinidad, Mexico, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan. It was truly an international event where our own runners representing U.S.A., Australia, Italy, and Ethiopia, helped to make it a 13 country event.

Driving across the city to the offices of an organization called 'A Glimmer of Hope' , we met with a number of very selfless individuals who have been working quite hard for years to offer aid and guidance to the country of Ethiopia as well with the youth in Austin. We were greeted by David Porter, Executive Director of AGOH in the Austin area, who introduced us to the rest of the staff. Donna Berber, the founder originally form London, was also present although her husband Philip could not be there unfortunately. Other members of the staff were from Ireland, Venezuela, Mexico City, and of course, Texas. They were all getting the office ready to move to another location but still they had time to greet us and share their sentiments and efforts for improving the condition of the world, one person at a time, step by step. It seems as if they are taking giant steps in their heroic efforts with their work for Ethiopia and the youth in this area as well.

Royce Dennis and David Porter escorted us with the Torch back to our car to see us off. Royce offered us shirts from his organization called 'Running with Angels'. This organization deals with some of the at-risk and underprivileged youth in Austin, offering them opportunities and guidance mostly through sports and running. It was an honor to meet Royce here as his efforts for a better and more harmonious world are truly heroic.

Crossing through the city once again today, we ran into the Blanton Elementary School where about 250 children and many teachers and staff were anxiously awaiting our arrival in the auditorium. Mary Noel Thompson, a teacher there, helped Jeromy with the arrangement of this event. Our presentation, including introductions, skits, and our song and motto shared with the children, was superceded by the teachers carrying the Torch around the auditorium as the excited children offered their loud and joyous support. It is always a treat for young children to see their teachers running with the Torch, sometimes even more exciting than the children themselves running with it. We are grateful to the children and the staff there for their enthusiastic participation.

Our fifth and final stop was back at the location in which we are staying for the time we are in Austin, the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. TSBVI serves visually impaired students from all around the state. Many of the students are very far from home in order to get the opportunity to get an education and learn the necessary skills to be self-reliant. Some of the teachers here, Jane Rundquist, Jamie Franke and John Castillo arranged a wonderful outdoor ceremony with the children and staff who are still on campus. Unfortunately some of the students and teachers went on a field trip today and could not be present. Although the group was small, about 25 children and 10 staff members, it was truly a heartwarming and memorable experience. Some of the children cannot see at all and some have partial sight, but they all had abundant energy and enthusiasm as we ran to them in the small pavilion with the Torch. The smiles and greetings that ensued were so moving we could hardly hold back tears of joy and gratitude.

During the ceremony they asked very astute questions, some of which were never asked before in all our experiences and interactions with thousands of people. They also had a small musical group assembled and played for us as we sang the World Harmony Run song with everyone. Four of the members performed a simple waltz with some very nice accompanying music. We all then formed a 'Harmony Train' and walked with the Torch around the nearby track. Mixing with the teachers and students afterwards was very touching as we felt the real sincerity and depth of their hearts as many of them deal with their life and their handicap of different levels of visual impairments. Eyesight is something quite valuable that many of us seem to take for granted. But for these students, the fact that they do not have this asset does not hinder their ability to learn and to strive for a better world in which love and harmony reign first and foremost.

Thanks to the kindness Dr. Phil Hatlen, the superintendent of the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, we were able to have wonderful accommodations at the school during our stay in Austin.

Arpan and the traveling World Harmony Run Team.

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