Popova Hreblia
Last Week on the Road
My Epic Journey So Far
Today’s Weather Report
Day 226, Popova Hreblia: It’s a sizzling 25.49°C, feels like my little gnome hat might melt right off! Overcast clouds are playing hide and seek with the sun, and I, the gnome, am the cheese in this celestial sandwich. With 45% humidity, my beard’s looking like a squirrel’s tail after a rainy day. The wind, at a breezy 3.35 m/s, is doing its best to give me a Marilyn Monroe moment. Thankfully, my gnome dignity remains intact, but who knew weather could be such a flirt!
Travels of the Gnome: Making weather fun since… well, 226 days ago!
Ukraining Gnome Miles!
It was just the other day when I was rambling on in Romanian, and now I am trying to wrap my gnome-sized head around Ukrainian! The language switch is definitely a fun part of the journey, keeping my linguistic skills sharp and my grumpy side in check. But, I digress.
Let’s talk about the journey. The most interesting part was when I crossed the Dniester river, the natural border between Moldova and Ukraine. The river was calm and serene, reflecting the sky like a giant mirror. I couldn’t resist humming the popular Ukrainian song “Тече вода з-під явора” (Water flows from under the maple tree) as I crossed it.
The scenery was a fascinating blend of rustic charm and natural beauty, just like the verses of the famous Ukrainian poet, Taras Shevchenko: “І хлинула пісня, як вода,” (And the song flowed like water).
Now, let’s do some math. Adding the 46.0 kilometers to my journey, I’ve now traveled a whopping 6738.4 kilometers! I’ve been on the road for 226 days, bringing stories from cities like Dubăsari, Susleni, Rîbniţa, and now Popova Hreblia and Bershad’.
As they say in Ukrainian, “Де не було, там і радій” (Be glad where you haven’t been). So here’s to more steps, more miles, more cities, and more stories. Catch you on the road, folks!
До побачення! (Goodbye!)
Wandering Popova Hreblia’s Streets
Stooped Strokes of Passion
Painted en plein air while taking in the sights of Popova Hreblia.
— Oliver the Gnome, aspiring artist
Popova Hreblia: Where Horses Hum Hymns!
Secondly, the city basks in the glow of its cultural richness, especially when it comes to music. The air here often carries the melody of compositions by the famous Ukrainian composer, Mykola Lysenko. You might often hear locals humming “Ой, чий то кінь стоїть“, a folk song arranged by Lysenko himself. It translates to “Oh, whose horse is that?” in English.
In Popova Hreblia, history is not just a subject, it’s a way of life. And music is not just a hobby, it’s the city’s heartbeat.
Rolling in Cabbage Delights
In Popova Hreblia, the food scene is a delightful blend of Ukrainian tradition and innovation. The town’s signature is the pyrizhky, little pastries filled with everything from sauerkraut to apples. However, the real star of the show is holubtsi, cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice, and smothered in a tangy tomato sauce. A local saying goes, “Що смачніше голубців?” which translates to “What’s tastier than holubtsi?” And truly, nothing compares. Every restaurant and home cook has their own version, making each bite an exploration. The food of Popova Hreblia is a testament to the region’s rich history and vibrant culture.
See you tomorrow!
Around the World on Foot, in Many, Many Days 