Video of the first month in USA

Today was actually a shorter day than we had planned as we ran some of today’s mileage yesterday. We had most of the day off to spend time with our friends who hosted us here today and set up a few ceremonies for us.

After a great breakfast at French Meadow Retautan, treated by our good friend and host Yuyudhan, we went to Powderhorn Park around noon to set up some activities for people to meet us there around 1:00 p.m.

Our friends Sharania and Pritika had made up some nice prayer flags for people to draw on and offer sentiments of harmony and peace. Not too many people showed up on a hot, cloudy Sunday afternoon but for those who did it was a very nice time for all.

Gautam, a five year old boy who came with his parents, Jitesh and Daniella, seemed to have the best time of all. He ran with his parents, Pritika and a few of our runners around the lake with the Torch.

It was about a half mile around which is amazing for such a young boy to run at once. He still had energy to spare as he learned how to throw, catch and chase a Frisbee disc and spent lots of time practicing his new sport.

Others also stopped by to learn about the World Harmony Run as our theme song played on the loud speakers.

Erik, our runner from Chicago who has been with us since Seattle, was visited by his dad, his sister and her family. They stayed for a while and posed with the Torch as their understanding of what Erik was doing on the Run seemed to increase with each minute. It is always nice for family to get a firsthand experience of the Run and to meet the other runners to see just how inspiring an experience it can be.

Later, at Lake Harriet, one of the many lakes that this area has to offer, we met some people at the bandshell between performances of some live music. Christopher, David and Carolyn, a family who live nearby, were thrilled to hold the Torch and share in some of the ideas and inspiration behind our harmony efforts. They even offered to host us for a ceremony at their church next time we come through town.

In the evening we were treated to a meal of fantastic pizza, salad and dessert at our friends’ home in Minneapolis. Sharanya and Pritika took care of us once again as they always do when we come to town. They seem to think of everything when it comes to feeding us and making us feel at home.

We also had a farewell party for Pathik, our youngest member who has been with us since Seattle. He has been a valuable member of our team, not only contributing to the running, but also very helpful with the technical side of things and mechanical repairs. His humor and youthful energy also added much to our team and we will miss him greatly.

We will be leaving Minneapolis in the morning but have only wonderful experiences and a deep sense of gratitude to all those who have been so kind and generous to us. Our dear friends who always treat us well and all the people who we happened to meet here have all shown us the sincerity and warm sense of hospitality that the Minnesotans have for everyone.

Arpan and the Team

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