We have been in Turkey now for three days, but it appears to me as if it is at least three weeks. It is so intense to be out there, running on the road and meet thousands of students from Primary School level to High-School.

The people are so open-hearted and energetic at the same time. They always welcome us with their smiles, cheering us like anything and their hospitality knows no bounds. In some schools the children have drawn pictures for us while others cooked their favorite turkish meals for us. They are really eager to do something to be part of the World Harmony Run Team.

Today was a special holiday in Turkey with a festival for youth and sports in every big stadium all over the country.

This day marks the beginning of the Turkish fight for freedom in 1919 when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk came to Samsun and saved the country from being separated into many parts.

Some people might say, that the military is too strong even nowadays. But I feel that the discipline and the energy which is part of a soldier's life, helps the people to make progress at this time.

However, Turkey has made a lot of progress during the last years. Luckily we were able to stay last night in a guest-house which is just beside the stadium in Bursa. After a refreshing night we went to the stadium to watch the program. There was a lot of marching, some speeches and of course the national anthem of Turkey sang by everybody. We had the chance to give a TV-interview, but could not figure out if it got on air. By eleven o' clock we left Bursa and ran towards Yalova from where we took the Ferry to Istanbul.

The boys where hosted that night by my relatives whereas the girls could stay at Banu's place. Both teams where hosted very graciously.

Sahatvam, Mainz

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Distance: 109km

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