Enjoy this video of highlights of the first six weeks of our experience in the US.

After a day off and a day of local ceremonies in San Diego we headed north along the Pacific Coast Highway and Route 1 up the west coast towards Long Beach.

Our first ceremony of the day just up the coast from San Diego in La Jolla where we met about 30 children at Integral Elementary School (Montessori Institute).

The children remembered the run from previous years and for them to guess our countries was going to be too easy for them.

Instead each runner stated where they were from and the children had to give us any facts they knew about each country. They were very delightful to listen to.

Ron E. Lacey (representative of the Mayor of San Diego, Jerry Sanders) read out a proclamation. The key message was that we can all be creators of harmony.

The children gave a moving performance of John Lennon’s 'Imagine' where they sang and signed the words. Everyone was touched by their innocence and sincerity.

They also performed yoga positions to the narration of an African Fable.

Each class teacher nominated a child to be awarded a Torch-Bearer Award. They were awarded to:

Kaya Fernandez for promoting harmony in her class and school.

Kiera Feightan-Patrizi for always being so helpful – the teacher stated that she helps him before the school day and even stays behind to help after the school day and she is always self-giving.

Kasey Peterson who always strives to make everyone happy. The team always enjoys presenting the Torch-Bearer Award to worthy recipients of those children who have made invaluable contributions to their peers, school and community.

After the ceremony we commenced the run up the coast where for the next few weeks the Pacific Ocean will always be on our left side.

It was great to see the waves crashing on the shore and to smell the salty sea air.

Katherine, from last night’s ceremony at the Pilgramage of the Heart Yoga studio ran with Salil and Sujantra through the beautiful Torrey Pines State Park for four miles.

Along the coast many cyclists waved and cheered us on. I met Randy a cyclist who was very interested in the run and he talked about his experiences as an elementary teacher of 30 years and how the celebration of his pupils’ uniqueness and differences were the key towards a more harmonious future.

In the afteroon we detoured a couple of miles off Route 1 to visit the Montessori Harbor Mesa School, and it was well worth the trip.

The women's team ran in to a playground full of enthusiastic children with smiling faces.

After our presentation they sang us a song about "all the children of the world" and "say hello to your new friend" when they heard that we had 3 runners from Russia, they also wanted to sing a song they knew about all the countries of the former USSR. We were very impressed that they knew the names of so many of these countries, and we told them about one of our other Harmony Run teams which is running through most of them this summer. When we sang our World Harmony Run song for them, they helped us out by joining in with the actions and clapping the rhythm.

Then we had a "run around the world" in the school-yard led by Papaha who entertained the students with his funny walks.

The children all had a chance to touch the torch and make a wish for world harmony.

Two people received the World Harmony Run Torch Bearer Award, nominated by the school for their constant service - one of the students, Allysa Nygen, and Mr Gryobell, one of the parents. The school principal, Giuliana De Frenza, was very welcoming.

We were happy to also welcome our local co-ordinator Papaha's mother to come and hold the torch with the team.

Papaha's nephew Will joined us for a few miles.

And so did our dear friends Kripabindu and Durdam - great to see you.

We would like to thank Boston's The Gourmet Pizza for offering a delicious half-priced meal.

We loved our stay at the newly renovated Hotel Current. We have stayed here in the past, and were amazed at the changes throughout the hotel. Great job!

Distance: 86 miles

Team Members:
Atulya Lee Berube (San Diego), Mark Collinson (England), Kshetragna Ulanova (Russia), Surya Smolennikova (Russia), Vladimir Salnicov (Moldova), Kokila Chamberlain (England), Drsalu Gruenstaeudl (Austria), Maria Manecke (Germany), Jeromy Cheatham (San Diego), Abhejali Bernardova (Czech Republic), Salil Wilson (Australia), Sukhada Korshunova (Russia)

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.

Gallery: See more images!