Before leaving Ottawa this morning we visited a beautiful flower shop called Phulero Dola.
Two of our good friends, Deepmala and Disharini, welcomed us and offered us some colorful roses and delicious dark chocolates for our journey.
Arpan fills a torch with fuel as we head out on our way towards Montreal.
Most of the way we were able to run on well groomed trails which were created from old railway lines.
The trails offered us tremendous peace and beauty as we were able to stay away from the rush and noise of the traffic this morning.
Filling the torches to keep the flame lit properly has become a ritual and an art at the same time.
At one point we had to take a short ferryboat ride with the car to cross a small river on the route.
Carrying the torch on a ferryboat over the river was much easier than swimming across.
Soon we made our way to an elementary school, Ecole de l'Amitie, in the quiet town of St.-Placide.
The teachers and children were quite excited to have us as they set up the video equipment ot show one of our international Peace Run videos.
Over 100 children were enjoying and participating in our presentation which had to be translated from English to French, their primary language.
Vidura was our translator as he was able to engage the children with his enthusiasm. Evidently his French was very good also.
Feeling Peace in the heart transcends the need for any language.
We then had a chance to run outdoors with the children led by the Physical Education teacher.
Sharing the torch after the fun run is always an excitement for the children.
The children and teachers all had a chance to pass the torch and offer their own moments of peace and goodwill.
This young man seemed to understand the symbol of the torch as he was feeling peace and happiness in his heart.
We then had to head out, led by our local coordinator, Vidura.
Vidura shares the torch with a grateful local woman who happened to be parked nearby.
This section of today's run was on long and quiet roads along vast farmlands.
This young boy, Pascal, ran from his home to find the runner and carry the torch.
Pascal was at the school earlier in the day where we presented our program and was so happy to see us running towards his home after school.
We offered him a Certificate of Appreciation for his enthusiasm and efforts to run quite a ways with the torch, inspiring the rest of his family as well.
A local friendly farmer is happy to hold the torch after we had stopped in his driveway to service the runner.
Our official photographer, Valerie, joins Vidura as we make our way towards Montreal.
