We have started running north along the Mississippi River since yesterdaybut most of the time we are not running close enough to enjoy the river's beauty and splendor.

We run along the busy secondary highways that may or may not haveshoulders wide enough to make our runs comfortable. Some of the shoulders have thick grass or heavy gravel as was the case today as we made our way up Highway 61 towards Memphis, Tennessee.

If we are lucky we get nice sidewalks to run on and shady trees to protect us.  Early this morning Paul Wilson and his wife proudly held the torch after Paul conducted a radio interview with Tom, Matthias and myself. We heard it on the air about 30 minutes later as we enjoyed the company of locals at the Yazoo Pass Cafe in the center of Clarksdale.

Bubba O'Keefe, a local businessman, John Ruskey(with hat) and John Cocke, owner of the cafe, all joined us for breakfast and a passing of the torch.

John Ruskey (center, with hat) kindly allowed us to stay on the grounds of his river expedition place called Quapaw Canoe Co. where we were treated very nicely by his friends there.

The food at Yazoo Pass was delicious. It serves as an oasis in the center of this town of Clarksdale which is on its way to an incredible revival. We enjoyed the outdoor dining as more people came to hold the torch there at Yazoo.The cafe got its name from an historic Civil War expedition. Now Yazoo Pass represents only peace, goodwill and good food.

My team began our leg of the run from the 'Crossroads', a place well known in the classic old blues song by Robert Johnson, aplty called 'Crossroads'.

Just across the street at the Crossroads we met a local man managing a tire shop. He was happy to hold the torch as he offered his goodwill. We are always very grateful those who stop and take the time to share harmony with us in this way.

By the afternoon we carried the torch into another state, Tennessee. This is the fifteenth state that we have run in so far on our way to cover the 48 mainland states. Hawaii was done separately, as will be Alaska.

Meanwhile, Salil, Vajra and Dmitry stayed in Clarksdale to meet Mayor Henry Espy at the Booker T. Washington Elementary School where hundreds of children and their teachers greeted the team.The students and teachers graciously made time out of their busy testing schedule for Salil's team to come and visit.

Mayor Espy kindly greeted the team and offered his words of wisdom and support as he has done in years past when we ran through Clarksdale.

He also graciously presented our team a proclamation on behalf of the city declaring today World Harmony Run Day in Clarksdale. Salil told us that his small team of three "bravely sang the World Harmony Run song even if we were slightly out of tune".

The teachers were then invited up to each hold the torch and make a wish or a prayer for peace.

They very kindly acquiesced to our request that they carry the torch for a lap of honor around assembly hall much to the delight of the students.

Principal Light also introduced us to the students including two inspired 5th graders who shared some “Words of Wisdom” which they had researched as well as their reflections on how they felt about these inspiring quotes.

As the children exited the hall they each had a chance to hold the torch.

On the way out Clarksdale Press Photographer Troy Catchings kindly held the torch before we left. He really seemed to enjoy covering this event today. We are grateful to him for his time and effort in doing so.

The women's team then met with the children at the Memphis YMCA after finishing their run at Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley, a.k.a. 'King of Rock and Roll'.

The children try to feel harmony and peace in their hearts.

Our team got the approval of this young man who seemed satisfied with the skit portraying harmonious behaviour.

Children, parents and teachers all love to pass the torch as they offer their goodwill and wishes for a more harmonious world.

The favorite part of our ceremonies is when the children get a chance to run with the torch.

My team had also stopped at Graceland as we met some tourists who also wanted to pay their respects to Elvis, who in his own personal life had a reflective spiritual side. His meditation garden on this lovely estate was his favorite place to spend his time. He is now buried very close to there.

When we were leaving Graceland we thought we spotted Elvis in this pink Cadillac. But it must have been an impersonator.

This is our 'blue cadillac' which is serving us well, especially when we camp out as we did this evening just north of Memphis near the Mississippi River.

Video Message from Dr. Davidson Hepburn, President (2009 - 2011) of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for 25th Anniversary of the World Harmony Run and a vision for the decade: "Toward a Oneness-World".

Full Text of the 25th annversary message and link to 25 language informal Translations: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/25

or Click on language button for separate youtube videos wth sub titles in varous languages

See also:

• Youtube video on African experience which illustrates IYY slogan "Our Year Our Voice" International Year of Youth - Zambia World Harmony. They surprisingly mention Presidents and UN Secretary-General in a unique way!

• Listen to the World-Harmony-Run song: 2 min version // 6 min

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See start of the International 25th Anniversary Celebration across from the United Nations at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza in New York.

On 27th April 2012. in many cities around the world, special events marked the WHR 25th Anniversary

 

– Arpan

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Distance: 90 miles

Team Members:
Atulya Berube (San Diego), Jagadhata Amrhien (Chicago), Teekhnata Berube (USA), Arpan DeAngelo (New York), Shobhavati Davies (New Zealand), Jana Duskova (Czech Republic), Tom McGuire (New Zealand), Katya Percheklii (Ukraine), Larissa Zub (Belarus), Zuzana Klaskova (Czech Republic), Matthias Eckerle (Germany), Salil Wilson (Australia), Priyala Carvalho (New Zealand), Vajra Henderson (New York) (U.S.A.)

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

Gallery: See more images!

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