Tom's ramblings ....... This morning I tried grits, a delicacy of the South, for the first time. It is a variation on traditional Native American corn porridge The lady at Comfort Suites helped me make it. She put butter in, which makes it taste better. I think grits is good running fuel. Healthier than waffles, but I still have waffles for breakfast whenever I can. Just about every Southern inn has a waffle machine. And there is a Waffle House everywhere you look. Mmmmmmm.....waffles.

Now it is starting to get really hot. So hot that after two miles you're wringing your t-shirt out like it fell in the creek. You just keep drinking and sweating, drinking and sweating.

We always try to take a route that is direct but not that busy. Even so, there are lots of vehicles going past and some of them are big trucks. On three separate occasions I was passed by a convoy of armoured military people-carriers. Each time they honked when they saw the torch. I'm sure those who train to be soldiers also run a lot of miles in the heat.

Every day people stop and ask what we are up to. They sometimes like to get a photo too. Arpan was offered a nice cold bottle of water today by Big Jim who was selling boiled peanuts, a southern delicacy, by the side of the road. His generous nature and kind heart are definitely what is needed to add more harmony to this complex world we live in.

It's a good thing we like to run....

....and run....

...and run...

.....and run.....

....and run......

Because that's what we do every day!!

A brief stop at Simpson County Lake to enjoy nature's beauty

After I stole his lunch, Matthias was about to throw me into the lake, where I might be devoured by leeches. But at the last moment his compassion saved me....

Now for something completely different.

Salil Wilson reports........

Julian Rankin from the Mississippi Museum of Art

Today I rediscovered an old friend who I had forgotten. Vajra and I ran our miles and then we leapt ahead to Jackson, MS.

The ceremony took place at the Mississippi Museum of Art which was launching an exhibition of original "Curious George" drawings created by married couple H. A. Rey and Margret Rey.

There, children were enjoying eating banana pancakes, wearing yellow hats and playing in a huge pile of soap bubbles inspired by one of ZoZo's adventures.

In my native Australia (being part of the British Commonwealth) Curious George's name was changed to ZoZo out of a desire not to insult King George.

I got a delightful thrill in rediscovering ZoZo (Curious George) and reacquainting myself with his myriad adventures. Walking through the creatively curated exhibition I remembered gazing upon these beautiful illustrations as a young curious child myself.

From the Mississippi Museam of Art website: "Curious George, the impish monkey protagonist of many adventures, may never have seen the light of day were it not for the determination and courage of his creators: illustrator H. A. Rey (1898 - 1977) and his wife, author and artist Margret Rey (1906 - 1996). They were both born in Hamburg, Germany, to Jewish families and lived together in Paris from 1936 to 1940. Hours before the Nazis marched into the city in June 1940, the Reys fled on bicycles carrying drawings for their children's stories including one about a mischievous monkey, then named Fifi. Not only did they save their animal characters, but the Reys themselves were saved by their illustrations when authorities found them in their belongings. This may explain why saving the day after a narrow escape became the premise of most of their Curious George stories."

Olive Garden in Jackson, despite it being a very busy evening for them, treated us to a delightful Mediterranean spread which was both healthy and delicious. Thanks! We are most grateful.

To keep the flow of generosity going, Arpan and Vajra bought the whole team some Bop's old fashioned ice cream for dessert

Jackson Express deserves a big round of applause for making sure that our men's team had a roof over their heads

As does Hampton Inn, who hosted the women's team. Bravo!

That's all, folks!

Video Message from 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

• 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

– Tom McGuire

Distance: 80 miles

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