July 29, 2016 Live from the road

Otava - Savonlinna

Reported by Harita Davies, Palash Bosgang 127.0 km

The nature is so beautiful everywhere in Finland!

Neelabha heading out to start the day's running.

Our first stop was in Mikkeli at the Rapu ja muikku, a local food market. Here Kagni is pictured giving a radio interview.

The event organiser, Jyrki Suvimaa, was so nice. He gave us a team briefing before we hit the stage.

Jyrki spoke very beautifully about the importance of peace.

The crowd were very enthusiastic!

Shyamala offering Jyrki our certificate of appreciation.

Martina enjoying the deserted forest roads.

Our fabulous Finnish coordinator, Anne, running a few miles between event organising.

The early morning rain left beautiful remnants on the roadside foliage.

The roadside berries are so delicious.

We ran past so many bus stops, but never saw a single bus!

Neelabha met some enthusiastic local motorcyclists.

Our next meeting was at the Savonlinna City birthday celebration. We were part of the official programme. The act before us was a Finnish Rock Band for children. As you can see, Palash and Anne managed to crash the performance.

Harita tried joining Palash and Kagni but the band asked her not to so she could get some important video footage.

We were very close to losing Palash to becoming a new member of the Finnish rock band. As you can see she fits right in.

We've not seen a more fervent wish for peace in quite some time!

Shyamala and Anne offered a great explanation of the origins and goals of the Peace Run.

We were so happy to have Jan who is a trained opera singer leading us in performing the Peace Run song.

People enjoyed holding the Peace Torch after our presentation!

Somehow at the request of a new found Finnish friend, we found ourselves being videoed planking for a full minute-ouch!

Here is the 15th century castle where the town's famous opera festival is being held. The acoustics are so outstanding that no sound equipment is needed during the festival.

Jan serenades the team!

Quack.

Torch carried by
Amur Bašić (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Anne L Leinonen (Finland), Harita Davies (New Zealand), Iiris Nuuja (Finland), Irina Hagedorn (Germany), Jan Klaile (Finland), Lauri Tervo (Finland), Lilu Lähdesmäki (Finland), Litaf Jevdokimova (Russia), Marlen Bernhard (Germany), Martina Václavíková (Czech Republic), Neelabha Šenkýřová (Czech Republic), Palash Bosgang (United States), Preetidutta Thorpe (New Zealand), Puruvaj Nikolic (Serbia), Rasmivan Collinson (Great Britain), Sara Schmidt (Netherlands), Satyagraha Vladimir Salnicov (Moldova), Shyamala Stott (Great Britain).  
Photographers
Harita Davies, Satyagraha Vladimir Salnicov, Shyamala Stott
The torch has travelled 127.0 km from Otava to Savonlinna.

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