The team arrived at the Mexican border early in the morning, ready for our next Peace Run adventure.
El burro!
The first school of the day was Secundaria Dominga Marquez.
We were greeted with lots of high-fives as we ran in.
Sanmati, the local coordinator in Tijuana, introduced the team and talked about the Peace Run.
A really talented student marching band played us some traditional tunes.
Pujari is fluent in Spanish, which comes in handy for the ceremonies here in Mexico. Here he is demonstrating the universal language: the language of the heart.
Taking a brief moment of silence.
This student sang a wonderful rendition of the famous Mexican song "Cielito Lindo" over the loud cheers of his classmates.
They were overjoyed to hold the torch.
Director Pastor Vallejo is presented with one of Sri Chinmoy's World-Harmony paintings to put up at the school.
The students cheer as teachers run a lap around the courtyard.
Passing off the torch.
Next, we made our entrance at Escuela Primaria Vicente Guerrero.
A student flashes a peace sign when we arrive.
Kaneenika runs in with the torch!
We had them guess which countries we are all from. Brahmata tries to refresh her high school Spanish.
We sang the Peace Run song after they guessed all of the countries correctly- they were very smart kids.
We enjoyed a performance by the boys called Danza de los Viejitos (Dance of the Old Men), a folk dance from Michoacán.
They were very coordinated and in character.
The girls performed Danza de Listones, a traditional dance from the Morelos region.
They create kaleidoscopic patterns with brightly coloured ribbons as they dance around in a circle.
The talented performers all hold the banner together.
Peace starts inside the heart...
... and then spreads out!
The teachers are very excited to receive the certificate of appreciation!
They also accept a painting entitled "Compassion".
Time for skits: Oh no! Our runner is injured!
That's okay, his friends will carry him! A good example of harmony and oneness.
It is the teachers' turn to take the torch!
Running a lap around the stage.
Then the students passed the torch around and each took a moment to reflect on peace.
Diana Franco, the event organiser, holds the torch with Arpan.
Amigas holding the torch together.
Lunch time! We tried the vegetarian quesadillas at a local stand and rehydrated with some delicious horchata, a Mexican drink made with rice and cinnamon.
Natabara runs in to the third school of the day: Escuela Primaria Ignacio Ramirez.
The students put their hands on their hearts and felt peace for 15 seconds.
Then they shouted out our motto: "la paz empieza con migo" (peace begins with me).
This skit demonstrated disharmony, a participant in a race pushes her competitor over so she can win.
Thumbs down to that.
Next, of course, was our harmonious skit.
Yay! Thumbs up to that.
Then we taught them the World Harmony Run song with actions.
Directora Sandra Luz Cencena Ramirez holds the torch with two of her students.
Making a wish for world peace.
We cheered the students on as they ran with the torch!
Vamos!
Bringing it in for a "torch selfie".
We visited a coconut stand for a midday refreshment.
Sanmati took us to the beach where we enjoyed the fresh ocean air and the warm Mexican sun.
The children were all smiles as we ran into the schoolyard at Escuela Patria.
Kaneenika makes her getaway after pushing down her competition- not very harmonious!
Dancing along to the World Harmony Run song.
Jose de Jesus Ibarra Borbon takes the torch around for a lap.
Yay Jose!
Then the rest of the teachers follow his lead and run around the circle of students.
Director Luis Gilberto Lozano Diaz accepts the certificate of appreciation for the school.
Now for everyone's favourite part...
...passing the torch!
Manorath and the students huddle around to share the torch!
One final group photo for the day. Viva Mexico!
