Team A

Today we started at Quebec City Hall, a majestic building in the heart of the oldest part of the city.

(Though some of us mysteriously shrank to the size of flower-pot men, we quickly recovered).

We met with Councillor Mme Lepage. Once again the day promised to be one of “French language immersion” for the Australian team members.

We sang Mme Lepage the World Harmony Run song, and contrary to the conclusions one might draw from the photo, Medur was not singing a solo.

Outside City Hall were some exquisite flower beds which captivated our photographer.

Eric and Gabriel ran the torch into Ecole Vision Sillery. Ecole means school in French. By the time we arrived a light sprinkle had turned into a heavy rain.

The school was experiencing a power failure, so a student led us by flashlight through the darkened corridoors. This was a tri-lingual school where the children were learning in French, English and Spanish.

We talked with 180 children about the Harmony Run.

Next we went to École de l'Apprenti-Sage, where we met with 500 students in the gymnasium (which was even equipped with a rock-climbing wall - lucky kids!)

We watched the Harmony Run video on the big, big screen. Then we ran a couple of laps with the 6th graders around the gym. Special thanks to the Principal (above) who arranged for our visit.

Next we went to Donnacona City Hall, where we met with city officials.

The next school, École primaire la Saumonière was nearby, so we ran with the torch in about five minutes.

This young man had a question.

This time we were greeted by 150 children in the gym. We finished up with several laps of the gym, and each time another class of kids joined us.

There were about a dozen classes there, so we were circulating for a while.

Eric saw a poster celebrating our visit which all the children had signed, so Eric added his signature.

After these meetings, we spent the rest of the day running through  the scenic countryside. The weather remained mostly on the damp side. This writer was caught in a particularly torrential downpour. (Photo taken just after torrential downpour).

Towards the end of the afternoon, the sun came out. At Ste-Anne-de-la-Pérade we were greeted by the sight of the Church of Sainte-Anne gleaming in the sunlight. Here our running finished for the day.

Just as we were wrapping it up for the day, a few of the local lads rode past us on motorcycles and wanted to hold the torch for a photo.

We visited the nearby Peace Park, which features a three-sided pyramidical sculpture, each face carved with the word “Peace” in a different language. Interestingly the three languages were French, English and Spanish, the same languages being used at the first school we visited this morning. Surrounding the sculpture was a circle of a dozen tall, slender poplar trees. The circle was about eight metres in diameter. We enjoyed the Middle-Earth-like ambience, and spent a moment in quiet reflection.

- Rathin Boultin

Team B

Our morning began with a visit to Ecole Notre Dame de Neige.

The children were really enthusiastic with smiles as wide as Canada.

Everyone made a wish for harmony.

Tanuja answered lots of questions. Then we went outside for a relay around the school.

Next on our agenda was a visit to Ecole Saint-Francois D'assise, which was a music school.

The Principal carried the torch around the grounds followed by the entire student body.

The students then had an opportunity to carry the torch as well.

We then went inside where the students had prepared a wonderful music recital of our theme song.

Some of the band holding the torch.

After such a moving performance Sevati offered her appreciation to the musicians and choir.

Adarini was reluctant to depart.

Special thanks to the Days Inn and Motel Bellefeuille for hosting our team for the evening.

– Sevati Bondanza

Distance: 94 km

Team Members:
Prapti Jensen (Canada), Antana Locs (Canada), Sevati Bondanza (El Salvador), Adarini Inke (Switzerland), Elke Lindner (Germany), Tanuja Konecna (Czech Republic), Medur Wilson (Canada), Gabriel Pelletier (Canada), Eric Langlois (Canada), Rathin Boultin (Australia), Salil Wilson (Australia)

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

Gallery: See more images!